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.

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 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.

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.

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!!!!!!

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!!!!!!

Revana Family Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Date of Tasting: 15 November 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 14.8%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: St. Helena

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR120

Web: http://www.revanawine.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Professional Rating: WA - 88/100, WS - 97/100, ST - 92/100, CT - 93/100

Appearance: dark inky garnet but bright

Aroma: pepper and herbs, black fruits aroma, and toasty oak

Palate: Soft, supple, and elegant with integrated fine tannins in medium-full body. Sweet ripe currants and cherries. Mild herbaceous and graphite notes intermix. 

Not so much of the big and bold style of Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon but more of the elegant style. Had this along side striploin steak and it was fantastic. Nice bottle, I would say. But pricing might not be so attractive. Not really a wine to last long and perhaps at its peak at the moment. Enjoy this until the end of this decade perhaps.

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2009

Date of Tasting: 27 April 2013

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 80% Chenin Blanc, 20% Viognier

Alcohol: 11.8%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Napa Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ THB600 - 1,000 (retail price in Thailand)

Web: http://www.pineridgewinery.com/ and http://pineridgecbv.com
Chubby Score: 91/100
Value for money: 8/10
Professional Rating: WA - 90/100, CT - 88/100

Appearance: lemony yellow

Aroma: fragrant citrus blossom and white floral with peach and pineapple notes

Palate: aromatic fruity and refreshing mouth feel with layers of clean acidity like lemon, grapefruit, apricot, pear, crisp and lusciously off-dry honey-like, good flow of spices 

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier offers really good value for money fresh white wine. A fabulously blend bottle that is perfect for summer time. I had a few bottles of this 2009 and all bottles were in par. However, if you happen to have a few of this wonderful wine in stock, you may consider to consume them within a year as its charm starts to fade away. Raise your glass now.

Buccella Merlot 2007

Date of Tasting: 12 August 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 96% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol: 14.7%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Napa Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ THB3,500 - 5,000 (retail price in Thailand)

Web: http://www.buccella.com/
Chubby Score: 96/100
Value for money: 9/10
Professional Rating: CT - 95/100

Appearance: deep crimson red

Aroma: fruity, coffee, and smoky

Palate: so dense, so thick, and so concentrated that coat pretty nice on the palate. offering core dark velvety fruits, yet oaky. tobacco, mocha, and spices are all around. tannins are sweet, smooth but chewy. so long and luscious on the finish

This is big and bold texture with fruity taste wine. While it can be beautifully consumed at this point in time, it would also be enjoyable during the next decade. It is balanced wonderfully with such elegant acidity. I just want more of this merlot. Cheers!!!!