(JD 96-98 points) The 2023 Château Valandraud Blanc brings another level of depth and complexity, offering ripe citrus, honeyed melon, exotic flowers, mint, and a beautiful sense of minerality. With medium to full-bodied richness, it's beautifully balanced, has a supple, layered, elegant mouthfeel, and outstanding length. This wine doesn't get the recognition it deserves, and I would gladly put it up with the top whites coming from the appellation.

The density and class are really something, with dried lemons, green mangoes, earth and minerals. Full-bodied but fresh and agile, with excellent length and energy. Very serious. 50% sauvignon gris, 40% sauvignon blanc and 10% semillon. Drink or hold.

(93-95 points) Composed of 53% Sauvignon Gris, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, and 7% Sémillon, the 2023 Valandraud Blanc has a 3.15 pH, and is aging 80% new oak barrels, and 20% in glass boules. It prances out with gregarious notes of applesauce, juicy pears, and fresh nectarines, leading to hints of cedar, honeysuckle, and candle wax. The medium-bodied palate is decadently intense and satiny textured, yet also wonderful refreshing, finishing with great length. The alcohol is 13%.

Fragrant and powerful white pepper, spiced pear, preserved lemons, fleshy white peach, structured and intense with a flash of heat. Good grip, a ton of impact and a white wine that will benefit from a few years of ageing. Valandraud has lower yields, and higher clay-limestone in the soils than 2nd wine Virginie de Valandraud, and is aged on the lees. It gives them distinct personalities, and this is the one for lovers of gourmet whites. Harvest September 8 to 18, 3.15ph, 80% new oak for ageing, 20% jarres.

(92-94 points) The 2023 Valandraud Blanc is a rich, textured white with tons of appeal. Today, the aromatics are not totally defined, but that is not unusual for dry whites tasted from barrel. What impresses most about the Blanc is its overall presence and persistence. To be sure, this is one of the more extroverted dry whites in Bordeaux. Antonio Galloni