Chateau Malescot St. Exupery 2006

Date of Tasting: 18 November 2016

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Bordeaux, France

Appellation: Margaux, Troisieme Grand Cru Classe

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR50

Web: http://www.malescot.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 91/100, AG - 91/100, WS - 92/100, WE - 92/100, JS - 93/100, FS - 92/100, ST - 90/100, JR - 16.5/20, DC - 90/100, CT - 91/100

Appearance: Dark red.

Aroma: Tobacco, cocoa, oak, plum, rose.

Palate: Fine but somewhat dense with medium-full bodied. Velvety tannins. Earthy. Dark cherry and bitter chocolate. Complex to the end.

Gear towards modern style but still feminine / elegant characters of Margaux. Delicious indeed. Ready now and good for another decade. Lamb shank to couple and you are good to go. Salute!!!

Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou 2007

Date of Tasting: 16 April 2016

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Bordeaux, France

Appellation: Saint-Julien, Deuxieme Grand Cru Classe 1855

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR100

Web: http://www.chateau-ducru-beaucaillou.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 91/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 90/100, WS - 90/100, WE - 93/100, FS - 92/100, ST - 91/100, JR - 16.5/20, DC - 91/100, CT - 92/100

Appearance: Dark brick red.

Aroma: Fresh but ripe black fruits. Chocolate and spices.

Palate: Medium-full on the palate with firm but smooth tannins. Dark fruits and cherries seemed to nominate with secondary notes of earth. Fresh character. Rather short on the finish.

This is more on the elegant side in my view. A nice experience but not a wow one for me. It was fresh, it was smooth, and it was seductive. But it was not attractive. There are some missing elements and structure. Impressive effort and charm though. Accessible now and at least in the short term future.

Chateau Leoville Barton 2003

Date of Tasting: 26 March 2016

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Bordeaux, France

Appellation: Saint-Julien, Deuxieme Grand Cru Classe 1855

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR100

Web: http://www.leoville-barton.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 97/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 96/100, WS - 98/100, WE - 95/100, ST - 93/100, DC - 19.5/20, JR - 17/20, CT - 94/100

Appearance: Opaque and inky purple.

Aroma: Forest floor, mushroom, mild truffle, dark fruits, earth.

Palate: Rich, big, and powerful. Fine and smooth tannins. Wonderfully long in the mouth with black fruits and oak characters. 

Stunning is the only word for me with this red Bordeaux. It was Chateau Leoville Barton which brought me into the world of "God Blood" and it is still as fabulous. My kind of Bordeaux really. For this Leoville Barton 2003, it was just spectacular for a hot year. It at first stroke me hard with powerful bouquet of earth and spring which followed by concentrated fruits, and signed of mature Bordeaux. The spectacular lovely nose of truffle was what I admire. Silky on the palate too. Though it was big, elegance was as well another shining character. Entering its drinking period now but long life is ahead. Wish I had cases of this Saint Julien. Raise many more glasses, Bravo!!!

Chateau le Puy Rose-Marie 2014

Date of Tasting: 28 October 2015

Wine Type: Rose

Grape Varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Cotes de Bordeaux Francs, France

Appellation: Cotes de Bordeaux

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR50

Web: http://www.chateau-le-puy.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Critics' Opinion: n.a.

Appearance: Dark pink but bright, almost ruby like red wine.

Aroma: Fresh garden/forest floor and earth with red berries aroma.

Palate: Smooth texture with medium-bodied compound. Bright and juicy. Clean cut acidity. Red berries note. Complex too.

Beautiful but unique. It has so much of distinct personality. Perhaps it is because of biodynamic and terrior thingy. Those forest floor and garden breeze seemed to hit the nose determinedly. Forget those others clairet you may have experienced. Oh....almost forgot, the word I had been looking for is cough medicine syrup. Surely you must have experienced this thing when you were young. Yes, it did have aroma and did taste a bit like cough medicine syrup but just barely though. Anyway, I had this along with seafood and it was enjoyable. Well, enjoy it within a few years upon released, I guess. Interesting rose wine as an experience and the blend too. Cheers!!!

Chateau Batailley 2007

Date of Tasting: 29 June 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Bordeaux, France

Appellation: Pauillac AOC, Cinquieme Grand Cru Classe 1855

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR40

Web: http://www.batailley.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 88/100
Critics' Opinion: AG - 86/100, WS - 83/100, WE - 90/100, FS - 88/100, JR - 16/20, DC - 16/20, CT - 87/100

Appearance: Garnet.

Aroma: Touches of earth, cedar, and herbs with blackcurrant.

Palate: Medium-bodied on the structure with just sufficient fine tannins. Tend towards silky and soft. Extraction of sweet fruits. Lack of concentration and complexity perhaps.

Drank it from a half-bottle and it seemed to be on it declining phase already. Not the kind of classic full and rich as expected but more of purity. Good for experience. Drink now until the end of decade probably.

Chateau Rauzan Despagne Le Grand Vin Rouge 2010

Date of Tasting: 11 March 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 82% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc

Alcohol: 13.5%

Origin: Bordeaux, France

Appellation: Bordeaux

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR30

Web: http://despagne.fr/
Chubby Appreciation: 90/100
Professional Rating: WE - 90/100, JS - 90/100

Appearance: Deep garnet

Aroma: Cherry, black currant, vanilla, and toasty spicy aroma

Palate: Deep and big with dry but supple tannins. Structured character. Black fruits note. Grippy and decent finish of complexity.

A pretty nice bordeaux of merlot base at decent price, it is. The charm of this Rauzan Despagne is fruity notes that play along with big and dry structure. Lovely integration between power and fruit. Nice table wine for drinking now. It should be gorgeous with lamb and beef steaks.

Chateau Talbot 2005

Date of Tasting: 8 December 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Bordeaux, France

Appellation: Saint Julien / Quatrieme Grand Cru

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR70

Web: http://www.chateau-talbot.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Professional Rating: WA - 90/100, WS - 92/100, JS - 93/100, WE - 93/100, ST - 91/100, DC - 16.5/20, JR - 16.5/20, CT - 90/100

Appearance: nice deep purplish ruby

Aroma: nose of smoky oak / tobacco and violets

Palate: Medium-full with moderate integrated tannins. Fine texture. Ripe currants and herbs with a little touch of sweetness. Nice juicy finish.

A charming bottle at its readiness and peak. We popped and poured and it showed beautiful development through out. Not the kind of power but lean towards fresh and fine. Relatively forward. Sweet juice, fine texture, freshness, and attractive complexity integrate well to offer this classic and enjoyable bottle. Recommended Saint Julien for enjoying now.

Chateau La Croix Saint Georges Pomerol 2008

Date of Tasting: 16 May 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 92% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc

Alcohol: 14%

Origin: Bordeaux, France

Appellation: Pomerol Controlee

Expect to Pay: ~ THB2,000

Web: http://www.josephjanoueix.com/
Chubby Score: 91/100
Value for money: 5/10
Professional Rating: RP - 93/100, WS - 91/100, JR - 16.5/20, DC - 16/20, CT - 90/100

Appearance: deep ruby

Aroma: perfume of plum, blackberry, raisins, coffee, spices, and oak

Palate: long and lingering black fruits on the palate. big and velvety tannins. a touch of sweetness and vanilla to finish. round and well balanced. minor touch of heat at the finish.

Simply said a well made wine with opulent and pureness by Jean-philippe Janoueix. It can be powerful but acidity plays its role to balance well. Long and deep. Pretty good food wine. Enjoy it for a decade or more. Cheers.

Chateau Poupille Cotes de Castillon 2009

Date of Tasting: 3 December 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc

Alcohol: 14%

Origin: Bordeaux, France

Appellation: Cotes de Castillon

Expect to Pay: ~ THB1,000 - 1,500

Web: n.a.
Chubby Score: 90/100
Value for money: 6/10
Professional Rating: CT - 91/100

Appearance: deep ruby

Aroma: black fruits, wood, and spices

Palate: sweetness from ripe fruit notes with the unmistakable characters of Merlot. fine tannins but undissolved. pleasant long finish with silky touch of medium-full body. some spices and gentle oakiness.

I personally love this wine. It may not be an extraordinary but it is sure an outstanding one to have during a family dinner, even to impress friends during a meal. This was the first time for me to taste a wine from Castillon region and it was a special one from a biodynamic farm indeed. It definitely produces top wines with elegance and yet classic. If fruit forward with a touch of wood and fresh acidity style is what you are looking forward to, this one perhaps will not be a disappointment. At this stage, it shows splendidly both texture and palate. Chateau Poupille 2009 shall be wonderful to drink with joy during the next 5 years. Definitely, the one to be enjoyable. Raise your glass!!!!

Le Pauillac de Latour 2003 by Chateau Latour

Date of Tasting: 19 November 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: ~ 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Bordeaux, France

Appellation: Pauillac

Expect to Pay: ~ THB3,000 - 5,000

Web: http://www.chateau-latour.com/
Chubby Score: 92/100
Value for money: 5/10
Professional Rating: WA - 91/100, WS - 88/100, JR - 16.5/20, CT - 90/100

Appearance: bright ruby

Aroma: tar, cocoa, spices, and berries

Palate: medium-full body with fine and integrated tannins, berries and vanilla, mild oak, round and smooth with structure, medium on the finish

Seriously, this third wine is no joke. It is pretty delicious and seductive. I cannot imagine how good the first wine would have been. Le Pauillac de Latour 2003 is at the peak of its life now and should be fading out during the next few years. If you have some, drink up (I wish I have some in stock). A friend of mine brought this bottle for the night and there were three of us drinking during the course in which none of us denied the love in it. This is simply a charming little big boy.

Chateau Troplong Mondot 2007

Date of Tasting: 10 October 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc

Alcohol: 13.5%

Origin: Bordeaux, France

Appellation: St. Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classe B

Expect to Pay: USD75 - 100

Web: http://www.chateau-troplong-mondot.com/
Chubby Score: 91/100
Value for money: 5/10
Professional Rating: WA - 93/100, WS - 90/100, CT - 91/100, DC - 17.7/20, JR - 17/20, ST - 91/100, WE - 89/100

Appearance: deep dark blue red

Aroma: spicy box, tobacco, smoke, earthy and floral

Palate: rather dry, raspberry, medium-full bodied style but smooth tannins, layers of dimension, low in acidity, elegance and long in fact, kind of oaky

I consumed this bottle over 3 nights. Surprisingly, I tend to love the third night the most. The red wine was kindly of shut during the first two nights but showed pretty well with Merlot fruity character in term of both aroma and palate during the last night. It can be enjoyed fabulously at this stage and the next decade. However, I feel that a few hours of air breathing would do the job nicely. Cheers!!!!

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2006

Date of Tasting: 28 June 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 13.5%

Origin: Bordeaux, France

Appellation: Pessac-Leognan (Grand Cru Classe de Graves)

Expect to Pay: ~ USD70 - 100

Web: http://www.smith-haut-lafitte.com/.
Chubby Score: 92/100
Value for money: 6/10
Professional Rating: WA - 93/100,  WS - 92/100, FS - 91/100, WE - 90/100, JR - 17/20, DC - 16/20

Appearance: dark crimson

Aroma: ripe dark berries

Palate: smoky, toasty, and oaky with blackberry and dark cherry flavour. additional dimension of tobacco, espresso, and vanilla spices. soft, round and rich. smooth texture and silky dry tannins. mid-heavy body.

This is an elegant bottle of cabernet sauvignon/merlot base wine, not really the big and bold style. The admirable sides are purity and soft texture. However, I suspect this wine would reveal its potential better with more time in cellar. If you have some, let them sit quietly for a few more years before awaken them up. Otherwise, make sure of long decanting. Enjoy.

Ronan by Clinet 2009

Date of Tasting: 15 May 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Merlot

Alcohol: 14.0%

Origin: Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

Appellation: Grand Vin de Bordeaux

Expect to Pay: THB700 - 1,000 (retail price in Thailand)

Web: http://ronanbyclinet.com
Chubby Score: 91/100
Value for money: 8/10
Professional Rating: FS - 92/100

Appearance: dense garnet

Aroma: expressive complex bouquet with delicate red fruits like cherries and plum

Palate: dissolved tannins that are quite smooth, sweet cherries dominant, trace of excess acidity, hint of boxes of chocolate and cedar/oak, full bodied with lengthy finish.

This is a gem at good value for money merlot based red wine from the site near Pomerol. Fruit bomb style at an outstanding vintage. A good creation by Chateau Clinet. So supple and so charming. At this price, there is no reason not to store up for consuming during this decade. Raise many more glasses.

Chateau La Confession 2008

This time I would like to express a wine from Bordeaux with young brand. It is Chateau La Confession from St. Emilion.  The first vintage was dated back just over a decade, it was 2001 when Jean-Philippe Janoueix has been in charge over the vineyard.

Date of Tasting: 2 January 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 66% Merlot,  34% Cabernet Franc

Alcohol: 13.8%

Origin: St. Emilion, France

Appellation: St. Emilion Grand Cru

Expect to Pay: THB1,500 – 2,500 (retail price in Thailand)

Web: n.a.

Chubby Score: 94/100
Value for money: 10/10

Professional Rating: WA - 93/100, WS - 89/100, JR - 15.0/20.0

Appearance: rich and dark purple red

Aroma: perfume of dark berries, licorice, and cedar

Palate: medium to full bodied style of wine with soft and smooth texture of tannins, big wine with waves of ripe black fruits, complexity with multi layers of structure, hint of vanilla and coffee.

This wine is a kick for the vintage.  Excellent wine that is approachable at young age but with capability to last for more than a decade.  Excellent and impressive.  Such a good value for money.  Wish I have more in stock.