2017 Chateau Valandraud Saint-Emilion

97 Points: A blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in new barrels, the 2017 Chateau Valandraud is up with the creme de la creme of the vintage. Killer notes of creme de cassis, graphite, white flowers, and violets all emerge from the glass, and this beauty has a wonderful sense of purity, full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It opens up beautifully with time in the glass and is a remarkable effort in the vintage. Give it 3-4 years if you can and enjoy any time over the following two decades.