les Heritiers du Comte Lafon Macon Milly-Lamartine Clos du Four 2013

Date of Tasting: 15 March 2016

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Burgundy, France

Appellation: Macon-Villages Controlee

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR25

Web: http://www.comtes-lafon.fr/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Critics' Opinion: WE - 92/100, WA - 91/100, JR - 17/20, CT - 89/100

Appearance: Light yellow straw.

Aroma: Mild citrus. Stony, rocky and smoky. 

Palate: Fresh and clean on the palate with lovely minerally stony touch. Lingering notes of citrus and apple. Vibrant acidity. Structured and depth as well. Wonderful complexity and length.

Love the stony touch of this wine. Great concentration with fruits too. Easily a great wine for everyday either with food or as aperitif. It would surely worth waiting for some development. But why wait. It is already delicious. Salute!!!

Patrick Javillier Puligny-Montrachet Les Levrons 2012

Date of Tasting: 23 December 2015

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Burgundy, France

Appellation: Puligny-Montrachet AOC

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR70

Web: http://www.patrickjavillier.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Critics' Opinion: ST - 92/100, CT - 90/100

Appearance: Yellow straw.

Aroma: Nutty and citrusy. Granny Smith and peach. Limestone.

Palate: Creamy mouth-feel. Ripe white fruits and lemon. Fine acidity and minerality. Persistent.

Excellent concentration of Village white wine at Premier quality. Aromatic one with early consumption. A tat expensive but lovely. So fine as aperitif or pairing with white fish. Fresh and elegant are the keys here. Like it.

Francois Mikulski Meursalt 1er Cru les Charmes 2007

Date of Tasting: 30 October 2015

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Burgundy, France

Appellation: Meursault 1er Cru Controlee

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR70

Web: http://www.domainemikulski.fr/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 92/100, WS - 89/100, BH - 92/100, CT - 88/100

Appearance: Pale yellow straw.

Aroma: White fruits, zest, honey, elderflower, mild spices and mineral.

Palate: Rich enough but accessible. Ripe citrus an white fruits. Tangy acidity. Mineral notes. Dry.

Not so rich as expected but structure was there. Dry notes with mineral surely. Accessible now but would indeed be fascinating to age further. Definitely a fine Meursault but in my humble opinion, something was missing there: sexiness or charm perhaps?

Champagne Bollinger La Grand Annee 2004

Date of Tasting: 24 July 2015

Wine Type: Sparkling White

Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir 70%, Chardonnay 30%

Alcohol: 12%

Origin: Ay, France

Appellation: Champagne

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR70

Web: http://www.champagne-bollinger.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 93/100, AG - 95/100, WS - 94/100, WE - 96/100, ST - 94/100, JR - 18.5/20, CT - 93/100

Appearance: Yellow straw.

Aroma: Toasty nose. Yeasty too. Fruity as well.

Palate: Nice cut of acidity and honey citrus. Orange peel. Hazelnut. Fine mousse. Powerful but yet it was refreshing. Minerally and elegant.

Fine bottle of Champagne to be savoured now. However, there are all means to support development over the decade. It is the matter of strong gut in keeping your hands off to see how it matures in the near future. Had it along with Chinese food and they played along with each other nicely though, especially those not so strong dishes like fish maw soup. If having as aperitif, remind yourself to keep hands off before you don't get a chance to drink other wine.

Jean-Paul et Benoit Droin Chablis Premier Cru Montee de Tonnerre 2013

Date of Tasting: 10 May 2015

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13.5%

Origin: Burgundy, France

Appellation: Chablis 1er Cru AOC

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR30

Web: http://www.jeanpaul-droin.fr/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 94/100, AG - 94/100, ST - 93/100, BH - 93/100, DC - 93/100, CT - 91/100

Appearance: Yellow straw.

Aroma: Classic lemony apple nose. Some white fruits and a bit of floral aroma.

Palate: Medium bodied on the texture. Full of minerality. Crisp and juicy. Abundant of citrus notes and smokiness. 

There are joys within this bottle of Chablis. I believe with or without food is perfectly fine. Not exactly easy drinking kind. I would say extrovert. Wonderful now actually but with its intense structure and acidity it should live its life for many years. Let's see how it develops in a few years.

Patrick Piuze Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux 2013

Date of Tasting: 16 May 2015

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13.5%

Origin: Burgundy, France

Appellation: Chablis 1er Cru AOC

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR40

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

Appearance: Soft yellow.

Aroma: Stony and lime perfume. White floral bouquet.

Palate: Vibrant and chalky with tanginess. Pear and citrus notes. Quite intense on the body and structure. Classic minerality. 

Pretty nice Chablis, this is. It is beautiful at its youth and should prolong its life nicely. Impressive energy lies within. I love the part that it shows both energy and sleekness. Rather value for money. I would not mind taking it as table wine in compliment. Cheers!!!

Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles 2004

Date of Tasting: 4 May 2015

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13.5%

Origin: Burgundy, France

Appellation: Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru AOC

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR200

Web: http://www.leflaive.fr/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Critics' Opinion: ST - 92/100, DC - 18/20, BH - 93/100, CT - 93/100

Appearance: Yellow straw.

Aroma: Reduced nose of white flower, stony fruits, nutty mineral, herbs, honey and lime.

Palate: Clean and pure with beautiful complexity and vibrancy. Soft citrus flavour and tropical fruits. Yet it also possesses feminine power and structure. Lovely acidity minerality.

Excellent white Burgundy with class. This premier cru by Anne Claude produced in biodynamic way. Upon popping up, it was still mute. But after almost an hour, beautiful perfume started showing up and revealing its class. Love the aroma of white flower and stony mineral there. This is superior and should age pretty nicely. 

Craggy Range Chardonnay Kidnappers Vineyard 2011

Date of Tasting: 17 April 2015

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Appellation: Te Awanga

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR15

Web: http://www.craggyrange.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 89/100
Critics' Opinion: WS - 89/100, WE - 87/100, JS - 91/100, FS - 87/100, JR - 16/20, CT - 88/100

Appearance: Light yellow

Aroma: Aroma of citrus and tropical fruits. Undertone fresh herbs.

Palate: Medium-full and creamy on the palate with balance of crisp acidity and minerality. Notes of apple and lemon. Clean and pure. Dry and stony.

Clean, crisp, and subtlety in style. It is a great table wine as well as for drinking as aperitif. I like the way that it does not need much attention to enjoy it at the same time it can still manage to keep its momentum throughout. This perhaps exhibits the style in the similar pace to Chablis. Its life might not last long and it might as well last long in your cellar. Cheers.

Champagne Philipponnat Grand Blanc 2006

Date of Tasting: 10 April 2015

Wine Type: Sparkling White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 12%

Origin: Mareuil-Sur-Ay, France

Appellation: Champagne

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR50

Web: http://www.philipponnat.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 88/100, WS - 92/100, ST - 93/100

Appearance: Light golden yellow

Aroma: Toasty nutty chalky with scent of orchid 

Palate: Flavour of fresh apple and pear. Mild chalky creamy touch. Fine citrus and minerality. Full and complex with fairly minerality but yet velvety.

This is a Blanc de Blancs version of Philipponnat aka 100% chardonnay. Personally, Blanc de Blancs is my kind of champagne, though some might not like it. This Champagne Philipponnat Grand Blanc 2006 is a fine one. So much joy exhibits out of each glass. What I love about this champagne is the concentration that bursts out and elegant personality. Highly recommended now and especially on a hot Summer day. Keep raising the glass!!!!

Chateau Montelena Chardonnay Napa Valley 2010

Date of Tasting: 3 April 2015

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 14.1%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Napa Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR40

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

Appearance: Pale golden straw

Aroma: Citrus aroma and white flowers

Palate: Lingering acidity presented. Medium-full on the touch with oil-like softness. Notes of sweet and sour grapefruit and honey lemon. Very mild oakiness on the finish.

It was a nice one in which I could enjoy with food and solely as aperitif. It's not big nor light. The penetration of acidity comes into play a little too much for my liking. Though Chateau Montelena Chardonnay shows its gorgeous side, I wish there were more of complexity wave of notes. Chablis-like in the form of Napa Valley chardonnay in my point of view. Not sure if it would develop anything further but if you like this kind of style, drinking now won't harm you.

Benjamin Leroux Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Baudines 2012

Date of Tasting: 5 March 2015

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Burgundy, France

Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru AOC

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR80

Web: http://www.benjamin-leroux.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Professional Rating: WA - 93/100, BH - 92/100

Appearance: Bright yellow

Aroma: Pure and fresh pear with floral floor and limestone

Palate: Rich structure with primary minerality. Vibrant acidity and tanginess. Citrus and peach notes. Dry and clean.

It is a fine and elegant Chassagne-Montrachet for me. However, at the moment its bouquet is still understated and tightly knitted. It would need a few years of good sleep before the real show of complexity will reveal. Keep it safe for the mean while.

Champagne Henri Giraud AY Grand Cru Fut de Chene MV

Date of Tasting: 14 February 2015

Wine Type: Sparkling White

Grape Varieties: ~ 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 12%

Origin: Champagne, France

Appellation: Ay Grand Cru

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR110

Web: http://www.champagne-giraud.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 94/100
Professional Rating: WA - 91/100, AG - 94/100, WS - 94/100, CT - 92/100

Appearance: Yellow

Aroma: Apple, ripe peach, lemon zest, and menthol.

Palate: Nutty flavour. Fine and creamy mousse. Layers of citrus fruits, grapefruit, and pinot fruits with vibrant acidity. Rich minerality. Persistent finish.

Based on August 2014 disgorgement, it is a non-vintage champagne of opulent personality combining power with unique elegance. Needless to say much. It's a champagne with sleekness and personality that ones shall deserve on a special occasion and festive season. But why wait for such event if you feel like one now. Salute!!!

Benjamin Leroux Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Gain 2011

Date of Tasting: 30 January 2015

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Burgundy, France

Appellation: Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru AOC

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR90

Web: http://www.benjamin-leroux.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Professional Rating: AG - 92/100, ST - 92/100, CT - 90/100

Appearance: Bright yellow

Aroma: Rich yellow fruits. Buttery and mineral aroma. Citrus blossom.

Palate: Cleanse and fresh with somewhat buttery texture. Mild honey and peach. Sophisticated spices. Long and savoury finish. Medium bodied.

Pretty nice wine with opulent character. Swinging and sniffing, it had already taken my breathe away. Sipping it took me to another level. Not exactly the very best Puligny Montrachet available but it hit the spot for me with those lingering acidity, seductive limestone-like touch, and firm dimensions. Delicious now but would lovely to see how it performs in the near future.

Forman Vineyard Napa Valley Chardonnay 2013

Date of Tasting: 27 February 2015

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13.5%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: St. Helena, Napa Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR40

Web: http://www.formanvineyard.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Professional Rating: WA - 94/100, AG - 94/100

Appearance: Yellow straw

Aroma: Primary scent of lemon, stone, and mild herbs

Palate: White fruits and stony notes. Sheer power but bright. Pin-pointedly cut of acidity. Long and lingering. 

Whole cluster pressed with 10% new oak fermentation. Fairly priced and distinctive character. This is some adorable Chardonnay of new world. Enjoyable now and shall be nice with seafood based pasta. It is sure a food friendly wine. Raise the glass!!!!!!

Walter Hansel Chardonnay Cuvee Alyce 2012

Date of Tasting: 29 December 2014

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 14.5%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Russian River Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR30

Web: http://www.walterhanselwinery.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Professional Rating: WA - 95/100, AG - 92/100, ST - 92/100, CT - 91/100

Appearance: golden yellow

Aroma: perfume of peach, pear, tropical fruits, and flowers

Palate: Buttery, creamy, and concentrated body. Ripe pear with spices and smoky note. Nice acidity and subtle oak. 

Simply said, a fine bottle of Chardonnay that would not break your bank. If the full bodied type with some fruits, spices, and a balance of delicate oak and acidity is what you like, here is an alternative for you. This one would perhaps pair well with white meat dishes or rich flavour fish. I do enjoy this bottle now.

Castello della Sala (Marchesi Antinori) Cervaro della Sala Umbria IGT 2012

Date of Tasting: 16 October 2014

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Grechetto

Alcohol: 12.5%

Origin: Umbria, Italy

Appellation: Umbria IGT

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR40

Web: http://www.antinori.it/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Professional Rating: JS - 96/100

Appearance: greenish golden yellow

Aroma: tropical fruits, apple, mild citrus, and soft aroma of white flowers

Palate: Lingering mineral and acid that balance nicely with alcohol. Mild touch of oak. Notes of apple, pear, lime, tropical fruits, and malt. Rich dimension and structure in medium-full body but elegant.

Fabulous and fresh bottle of Chardonnay / Grechetto blend from a hot vintage. It is made for the joy during early life: i.e. drinking nicely now and perhaps during the next 5 years. First time to experience Cervaro della Sala and really enjoy it. I personally would not mind at all to stock up this gorgeous white blend to consume. Both expressive nose and complex palate blend pretty well. Superb with fish dishes surely.

Bellavista Franciacorta Alma Cuvee Brut DOCG NV

Date of Tasting: 13 September 2014

Wine Type: Sparkling White

Grape Varieties: 80% Chardonnay, 19% Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir), 1% Pinot Bianco

Alcohol: 12.5%

Origin: Lombardy, Italy

Appellation: Franciacorta DOCG

Expect to Pay: ~ THB1,000

Web: http://www.bellavistawine.it/
Chubby Score: 90/100
Value for money: 7/10
Professional Rating: WA - 92/100, AG - 90/100, WE - 92/100, JR - 16/20, CT - 90/100

Appearance: bright straw yellow

Aroma: white flowers, ripe pear, and hint of vanilla

Palate: creamy fine bubble with satisfying finish. vibrant and harmony notes of tanginess and white fruits: pear and apple. 

An Italian champagne and yes it is Italian with Methode Champenoise. It was seductive, smooth, energetic but yet elegant. A fruity style that is enjoyable at any moment. The lot was L0234-14023000208 which may survive well for a said period of 5 years. Looking to grab more for my cellar.

Domaine Servin Chablis Premier Cru Vaucoupin 2012

Date of Tasting: 29 August 2014

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 12.5%

Origin: Burgundy, France

Appellation: Chablis Premier Cru Controlee

Expect to Pay: ~ THB1,300

Web: http://www.domaine-servin.net/
Chubby Score: 90/100
Value for money: 7/10

Professional Rating: WA - 92/100, AG - 93/100, WS - 92/100, ST - 91/100, BH - 92/100

Appearance: bright yellow

Aroma: stony and chalky aroma with minimum fruit character

Palate: silkily fine texture. minerality and chalkiness dominant. freshness and lingering finish. pretty much dry with cleanse and crisp.

A unique style of its own, it possesses. Concentration and expression focus pretty much on minerality and chalkiness both nose and palate. This is a beautiful work. If you do not mainly look for fruit, you may well like this one. I suspect that it should perform wonderfully until the end of this decade.

Champagne Philipponnat Royale Reserve Rose Brut NV

Date of Tasting: 3 August 2014

Wine Type: Sparkling (rose)

7Grape Varieties: 75% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay, 5% Meunier

Alcohol: 12%

Origin: Mareuil-Sur-Ay, France

Appellation: Champagne

Expect to Pay: ~ THB2,000

Web: http://www.philipponnat.com/
Chubby Score: 91/100
Value for money: 7/10
Professional Rating: AG - 87/100, WS - 91/100, WE - 90/100, ST - 90/100, BH - 92/100, CT - 90/100

Appearance: pinky orange

Aroma: notes of strawberry, light red fruits, tangerine, and grapefruit. some smoky minerality.

Palate: full with purity and elegance. smooth crispy effervescence. fine fruit forward. it also shows bright acidity.

Based on 2008 vintage and disgorged in April 2013. Feminine in style with minor touch of sweetness in the background. Enjoy the round volume of this non vintage structure. It is superb as aperitif and to go with fruity based dessert.

Joseph Faiveley Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 2008

Date of Tasting: 18 July 2014

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Burgundy, France

Appellation: Chablis 1er Cru Controlee

Expect to Pay: ~ THB1,500

Web: http://www.domaine-faiveley.com/
Chubby Score: 92/100
Value for money: 8/10

Professional Rating: ST - 92/100, JR - 16.5/20, BH - 92/100, CT - 90/100

Appearance: pale yellowish green

Aroma: complex expression of white flowers and citrus fruits on the nose with some stone

Palate: medium on the body with excellent length. fine detail of minerality and acidity which balance on the palate. beautiful and supple tone of mild citrus. 

This is a rather nice food wine. I had it along with grilled sea bass and they paired and showed synergy pretty nicely. The refined texture and Chablis character were rather charming. This Faiveley Chablis Vaillons 2008 starts to express itself now and I believe it should live up for a decade. Thank God.