Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2010

Date of Tasting: 3 June 2016

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Sangiovese

Alcohol: 14%

Origin: Tuscany, Italy

Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR70

Web: http://www.valdicava.it/
Chubby Appreciation: 96/100
Critics' Opinion: JS - 99/100, WA - 93/100, AG - 94/100, WS - 96/100, CT - 94/100

Appearance: Bright and deep ruby.

Aroma: Orange peel, olive, dark cherry, earth and mushroom.

Palate: Medium-full bodied. Structured with silkily fine tannins. Vibrant acidity that balance out with time. Fruits and herbs. Long finish.

Definitely a gorgeous bottle of Brunello. This is something unique. Starting to be accessible but will live its life for long. Love the earthy tone while fruits and acidity still support its structure. Elegant one. It is hard indeed to keep my hands off. Grazie!!!

Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Monfalletto 2010

Date of Tasting: 18 December 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Nebbiolo

Alcohol: 14%

Origin: La Morra, Italy

Appellation: Barolo DOCG

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR45

Web: http://www.corderodimontezemolo.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Critics' Opinion: WE - 94/100, JS - 93/100, WA - 93/100, AG - 92/100, WS - 92/100, ST - 90/100, JR - 16.5/20, CT - 92/100

Appearance: Garnet.

Aroma: Rose petal, balsamic, herbs, berries, a bit of smoke and oak essences.

Palate: Full and rich. Cherry and red berries. Mild vanilla and cocoa. Smooth and structured with nice acidity. Well balanced.

Opulent bottle of Barolo that is ready for drinking since its early stage. Matured in various size of barrels. Not exactly modern nor traditional. I wouldn't say it is elegant but would be happy to consume this wine regularly. Nice work.

Andrea Oberto Barolo Vigneto Albarella 2007

Date of Tasting: 1 July 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Nebbiolo

Alcohol: 15%

Origin: Piedmont, Italy

Appellation: Barolo DOCG

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR60

Web: http://www.andreaoberto.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 93/100, AG - 92/100, JS - 94/100, ST - 91/100, JR - 17/20

Appearance: Orangery garnet.

Aroma: Floral floor, cherries, mocha and oak.

Palate: Deep and powerful in style. Solid structure with layers of fruits. Mouth-coating tannins. Long and lingering.

Beauty of aroma for this modern style of Barolo. Opulent character. Oak and tannins can be overwhelming at this stage. Decanting is needed, I would say. Otherwise, let it sleep for a while. Though it is modern with ageing of 24 months in all new barriques, it did express attractive aroma. Salute!!!

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!!!

Conterno Fantino Barolo Mosconi 2008

Date of Tasting: 23 March 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Nebbiolo

Alcohol: 15%

Origin: Piedmont, Italy

Appellation: Barolo DOCG

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR60

Web: http://www.conternofantino.it/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Professional Rating: WA - 94/100, AG - 94/100, WS - 95/100, FS - 94/100, JS - 93/100, ST - 93/100, CT - 92/100

Appearance: Rich garnet

Aroma: Cherry, raspberry, earth, mushroom

Palate: Rich and full with dense tannins. Expression of sweet and sour raspberry and red fruits. Dry and powerful. Outgoing characters. Fine length on the finish.

It starts to reveal its characters and is accessible. However, still somewhat reduction on the nose. Give it a little bit more time to sleep and it should be more fantastic. This is not the elegant and sleek kind of Barolo but more on the energy and power type. Modern kind, it is, but lovely. Salute!!!

Elvio Cogno Cascina Nuova Barolo DOCG 2007

Date of Tasting: 31 January 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Nebbiolo

Alcohol: 14.5%

Origin: Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

Appellation: DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita)

Expect to Pay: ~ THB1,800 - THB2,500

Web: http://www.elviocogno.com/
Chubby Score: 92/100
Value for money: 7/10
Professional Rating: WA - 92/100, WS - 95/100, WE - 95/100, JS - 92/100, ST - 90/100, CT - 92/100

Appearance: brick red

Aroma: spices, floral, rose, earth, and hint of vanilla

Palate: sweet red fruits. round, silky, and exciting medium body that shows depth and length. complex and balance. tobacco and cedar on the background.

I love this well integrated red wine from Piedmont. I does not just show liveliness, vibrant, and sexiness, it is also elegant. A good example of fine wine from great producer, top vineyards, and excellent year. Despite its rich aroma characters, this should well be enjoyable with roasts and flavourful dishes for a decade to go. I shall revisit this awesome in 2016. Let raise many more glasses.