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.

Coup de Foudre Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2009

Date of Tasting: 21 August 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc

Alcohol: 14.8%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Napa Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR100

Web: http://www.coupdefoudrewine.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Critics' Opinion: WS - 94/100, AG - 92/100, WE - 92/100, CT - 92/100

Appearance: Dark crimson.

Aroma: Oak essence. Sweet fruits aroma. Violet.  

Palate: Creamy, dense, and full. Smooth sweet tannins. Forward and fruity: ripe black fruits. A bit of spices. Long finish.

Surely Napa style of straight forward and flashy US cult Cabernet Sauvignon. Big, ripe, and sweet are the definition. So just pop now, why wait? Have something equally big to go along too. Roasted rack of lambs or venison will do, I suppose.

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!!!

Kenzo Estate Asuka 2012 and Rindo 2012

Date of Tasting: 10 November 2015

Wine Type: Red

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Napa Valley
Web: http://www.kenzoestate.com/

Strolling around Roppongi Hills while waiting for the time to visit Tempura Yokota, surely girls would enjoy the shopping moment. However, one like me who seems to have only either food or wine in mind. With some googling research, I found that there is a wine bar of Kenzo Estate within Roppongi Hills. Hence, I did not hesitate to pop by for a few glasses before dinner.

Kenzo Estate is a winery in California which has been developed since the very beginning of 90's by inspirational Capcom founder, Kenzo Tsujimoto. The first vintage available was 2005 which consisted of Rindo, Ai, and Murasaki. For the shop in Roppongi Hills, wines definitely are shipped directly from the estate. On the 1st floor, it is more like wine bar with retail corner. Wines by glass are available for tasting from 11am until late night. While dining area on floor 2 is opened from 5pm. For my short visit, I did try 2 types from their range: Asuka 2012 and Rindo 2012.

Both wines are pretty similar in structure: USA cult wines. But they are delicious. Asuka range consists mainly of Cabernet Franc whilst Rindo is Bordeaux blend. They are rather ready for enjoying at this early stage but should age pretty nicely. Personally, I may enjoy Asuka more with its beautiful perfume. Nevertheless, pricing of Asuka is 3 folds of Rindo. QPR wise, Rindo represents much better value. For Rindo, it gives mouth coating structure with bold tannins. Earthy, leathery, and mocha too. Anyway, the charm of aroma of blue fruits from Asuka cannot really be ignored.

Well, I have to say I do like this bar of Kenzo Estate. If I do have time to visit Tokyo next time, I will surely pop by again. They may only present their range of wine but they are indeed a delicious range which is rare and can be experiencing. Cheers!!!

Kenzo Estate Asuka 2012

Grape Varieties: 94.1% Cabernet Franc, 5.9% Merlot

Alcohol: 14.8%

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR300

Chubby Appreciation: 94/100
Critics' Opinion: CT - 93/100

Kenzo Estate Rindo 2012

Grape Varieties: 53.0% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15.8% Cabernet Franc, 17.5% Merlot, 13.7% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 14.8%

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR100

Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Critics' Opinion: CT - 93/100

Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2007

Date of Tasting: 10 July 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 15.9%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Napa Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR110

Web: http://www.robertmondaviwinery.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 95/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 95/100, WS - 95/100, WE - 95/100, ST - 94/100, JS - 91/100, DC - 16/20, CT - 93/100

Appearance: Dark crimson.

Aroma: Ripe currants, cassis, oak, smoke and herbs.

Palate: So big. So full. Monster. Yet it was dry and balance. Notes of black fruits. Very tannic definitely. Long lasting finish.

When my palate is seeking for softer kind of wine day by day, the big and broodingly bold Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon seems to be overwhelming. I wouldn't say I dislike this one. Of course, it is fabulously great. But it is just not my style. It is like a huge monster attacking. In fact, it is so powerful and almost like port. One would definitely need a good compliment dish to go along. It yields long aftertaste flavours. Still at least 10 more years to go for this Hulk.

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 Musar Gaston Hochar 2005

Date of Tasting: 5 July 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and Carignan

Alcohol: 14%

Origin: Ghazir, Lebanon

Appellation: Bekaa Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR40

Web: http://www.chateaumusar.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 90/100
Critics' Opinion: CT - 91/100

Appearance: Rusty red.

Aroma: Cedar, spices, tobacco, and black fruits.

Palate: Exhibit baked red and black fruits in medium-full bodied juice. Dark chocolate and tea on the secondary notes. Lively acidity. Velvety tannins.

Not exactly sophisticated but impressive enough. Seemed tightly wound at the beginning and started showing more characters with time. Distinctive personality: elegant but well structured with energy. It is more like Pauillac to me. Long life ahead. Decant for drinking now, I would say.

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.

Domaine de la Grange des Peres 2005

Date of Tasting: 30 April 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: ~ 40% Syrah, 40% Mourvedre, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol: 15%

Origin: Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Appellation: IGP Pays de l'Herault

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR120

Web: n.a.
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Critics' Opinion: RP - 95/100, CT - 93/100

Appearance: Elegant ruby

Aroma: Wild forest, dark plum red berries, and spices

Palate: Sweet ripe fruit coupling with dark chocolate and tobacco. Herbs, pepper, and minerality then followed. Medium-full for the structure but came in silkily fine touch. 

It possesses power but yet exhibit fine elegant. I experienced this bottle first time a few years back and this was my last bottle, sadly (T_T). It is such a fine red blend from a fine producer from Languedoc-Roussillon. I wish I could have many more bottles in stock. If you are lucky to find ones, do not hesitate to pack them back.

Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo 2009

Date of Tasting: 15 April 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol: 14.5%

Origin: Tuscany, Italy

Appellation: Chianti Classico DOCG

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR50

Web: http://www.fontodi.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 94/100, AG - 95/100, WS - 90/100, JS - 95/100, FS - 93/100, CT - 92/100

Appearance: Dense red

Aroma: Tobacco, tar, oak, spices, and mild red berries

Palate: Rich and full. Fine dusty but sweet and velvety tannins. Notes of ripe fruits. Hint of vanilla, tea, and mushroom. Fresh acidity.

Fresh but energetic at the same time. Flaccianello range of Fontodi may be great but Chianti Classico Vigna del Sorbo, on the other hand, cannot be overlooked. It is almost as impressive with complexity but more reasonable priced. However, the overall structure is more like hybrid: not traditional nor modern. Enjoy with rich dishes now and 10 years to go.

Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Red Wine 2009

Date of Tasting: 25 March 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec

Alcohol: 15.2%

Origin: Washington, USA

Appellation: Columbia Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR60

Web: http://www.quilcedacreek.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 94/100, ST - 91/100, CT - 92/100

Appearance: Deep crimson

Aroma: Herbs, smoke, cocoa, tobacco and black fruits

Palate: Full on the palate. Deep exotic spices. Sweet ripe berries, chocolate, graphite, and oakiness. Fine and smooth tannins.

Needless to say much. This second wine from Quilceda Creek is surely one of the top of New World wine from Washington. It is sexy and yet opulent. Ones will indeed enjoy a big punch of this bordeaux blend. It is ready now and should be fabulous at least 5 years ahead. Quilceda Creek Red Wine 2009 will surely be a perfect compliment with red meat and rich dishes. Raise the glass!!!!

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2005

Date of Tasting: 6 April 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 14.5%

Origin: Tuscany, Italy

Appellation: Bolgheri DOC

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR150

Web: http://www.ornellaia.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 95/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 93/100, AG - 93/100, WS - 95/100, WE - 97/100, FS - 95/100, JS - 95/100, JR - 18.5/20, DC - 18/20, CT - 93/100

Appearance: Dark violet ruby

Aroma: Sweet violet and currant, exotic spices, black tea leaves

Palate: Velvety tannins and structure. Opulent but feminine. Dark fruits note and complexity persists lengthily.

Beautiful wine, this Ornellaia 2005 is. It is drinking wonderfully now and perhaps a decade more. If you have one, do not hesitate to pop up now and enjoy with red meat dishes. This is not the kind of big and powerful Super Tuscan bordeaux blend. On the other hand, it exhibits more of mouthwatering silky structure and finesse. Ones would enjoy it with a meal and ones would even be happy to sip it alone slowly through the night. I would be one of the later kind in the case. Salute to this beautiful craft!!!

Podere Forte Wine Dinner @ Enoteca Italiana Bangkok

Cuisine: Italian

Map: Podere Forte Wine Dinner @ Enoteca Italiana Bangkok

Charged Price: THB3,500 per person

Visited: 21 April 2015

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 5/10

Services: 6/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

It's another night of wine dinner and again at Enoteca Italiana Bangkok. It had been Valdicava wine dinner back in November 2014 and this time was Podere Forte wine dinner. The night started with Champagne from Larmandier-Bernier as aperitif, followed by Petruccino, Petrucci, and finished with vertical of Guardiavigna 2008 - 2010. They were all fantastic and delightful. Here are brief notes:

Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Latitude NV (91/100): Excellent champagne with good qpr. At the price around EUR30 a bottle, it's awesome. This is Blanc de Blancs aka chardonnay. Larmandier-Bernier Latitude is an example of pure and elegant style. It is creamy and it is full. But yet complexity and smoothness lie within. Aroma of pear, anise, and orchard. Full on the palate with minerality, lemon, and stone. Mild honey and almond. Lovely aperitif to enjoy within a few years of release. (~ EUR30)

Podere Forte Petruccino 2012 (90/100): This is a lovely sangiovese-merlot blend (70:30). It is drinking beautifully now. Exhibit cherry and raspberry flavour. Mild spices and mint on the secondary note. Attractive aroma of red fruits and floral. Fine finish. Medium-full structure. Modern. (~ EUR30)

Podere Forte Petrucci 2010 (95/100): It's WOTN for me. Still a little young but accessible. Sexy bouquet of cherry and raspberry jumped out aggressively followed by flowers and spices. Savoury sangiovese fruits on the palate. Medium bodied and fine tannins. Outstanding texture and acidity integrated well. Gentleman of the night, it was. 100% Sangiovese. (~ EUR100)

Podere Forte Guardiavigna 2008 (93/100), 2009 (92/100), 2010 (94/100): Guardiavigna is bordeaux blend with cabernet franc and merlot as the key grapes and petit verdot as the final touch. Three of them were nice but presented totally different characters. In common, they showed bouquet of cassis, black currants, eucalyptus, spices, and hint of tobacco and earth. All of them have full structure with oakiness especially 2009 vintage which was broodingly chewy too. To me, 2010 vintage is more of finesse and elegant, whilst 2009 vintage is about power and muscle. As for 2008 vintage, it might not be as as beauty as vintage 2010 but the opulent style of 2008 clicked with my sense more. These are fine wines but they come with some price tag as well. (~ EUR80)

Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Latitude NV

Podere Forte Petruccino 2012

Podere Forte Petrucci 2010

Podere Forte Guardiavigna 2008

Podere Forte Guardiavigna 2009

Podere Forte Guardiavigna 2010

Podere Forte Wine Dinner @ Enoteca Italiana Bangkok
39 Soi Sukhumvit 27
Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 06:00pm - midnight

Tel: +66 (0) 2258 4386
Web: http://www.enotecabangkok.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/EnotecaBangkok

Shafer Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley 2010

Date of Tasting: 21 March 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec

Alcohol: 15.3%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Napa Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR50

Web: http://www.shafervineyards.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Professional Rating: WA - 93/100, WE - 91/100, WS - 90/100, CT - 91/100

Appearance: Dense purplish red

Aroma: Sweet black fruits and cherry. Mild floral and spices floor. 

Palate: On the texture, it is almost full, kind of big and jammy but beautifully soft. Exhibit licorice, chocolate, blackberry, and integrated vanilla, earthiness and spice touches. 

It is a merlot base blend that is showing tremendously now. I had it along with rib eye steak and it did compliment each other well. Sensational mouth feel and aroma, it has. Though, there are some cabernet sauvignon and malbec in the blend but they do not seem to overwhelm the characters of merlot. But they more like enhancing structure of this wine. Throughout the course of this bottle, it kept developing along. Perhaps gentle decanting would do for those who need immediate consumption. Personally, I may wait until the end of 2016 before accessing another bottle to see how it develops.

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.

Craggy Range Sophia Gimblett Gravels 2008

Date of Tasting: 13 March 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 89% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc

Alcohol: 14.5%

Origin: Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Appellation: Gimblett Gravels

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR60

Web: http://www.craggyrange.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 95/100
Professional Rating: WA - 94/100, CT - 94/100

Appearance: Opulent garnet

Aroma: Persistent aroma of dark berries, spices, and floral

Palate: Firm and tannic kind of style with big bodied but yet subtlety. Sweet blackcurrant and cassis bursting out at the first sip. Rich and smooth texture. Vibrant acidity balanced the picture well. Apparent toasty oaky feel.

Pretty nice bottle of Merlot based wine in its own style. Rich in fruit. Elegant despite power. Somewhat fabulous with oakiness that did not overwhelm. It might, however, be a little plain for those who look for multi dimensions structure. Well, it is wonderful now for drinking. I enjoyed it with nice piece of medium-rare rib eye. Red meat dish that is not too complex should pair well. Cheers!!!

Dominus Estate Christian Moueix Napanook 1994

Date of Tasting: 2 January 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 14.1%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Napa Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR300

Web: http://www.dominusestate.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 98/100
Professional Rating: WA - 99/100, WS - 91/100, FS - 95/100, ST - 97/100, JR - 17/20, CT - 95/100

Appearance: dark hue that tends towards garnet

Aroma: tobacco and smoke, mushroom, spice scents, and some black fruits

Palate: Medium-full bodied with so fine texture, thanks to well integrated tannins. Particular splendid mouth-feel with great depth of flavour. Ripe cassis, sage, and spices. Persistent and elegant.

Such a precious bottle. It would be extremely difficult to keep hands off the cork of any remaining bottles once you have experienced it. Striking perfume caught on the nose of everyone right at decanting. At this point, I was already stunned. Tannins have mellowed down nice leaving so fine and so smooth texture on the palate: seamless structure. Don't feel like having those big and bold Napa Bordeaux blend at all but elegant Bordeaux instead. Such finesse, it possesses. Drink now if you have them in cellar whilst it still shows the sexiness that would blow off your mind. This piece of art rocks. Cheers!!!!!!

Almaviva 2010

Date of Tasting: 8 December 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Carmenere, 9% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 14.5%

Origin: Maipo Valley, Chile

Appellation: Alto Maipo

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR110

Web: http://www.almavivawinery.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 94/100
Professional Rating: WA - 92/100, WS - 94/100, JS - 97/100, ST - 94/100, JR - 17.5/20, CT - 93/100

Appearance: dark red / violet

Aroma: cassis, currants, spices, and mild vanilla

Palate: Big and bold but great balance with lingering acidity. Soft and fresh on palate. Fruit forward with ripe tannins. Dark berries note with some bitter chocolate.

Simply powerful and dense but a harmonious and fine bottle from Chile. Pretty nice and accessible now. With nice steak, this would be a wonderful way to enjoy. Stay with it if power style (with a bit of oakiness of course) is what you are looking for.

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.