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.

Beaux Freres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008

Date of Tasting: 29 August 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 14.0%

Origin: Oregon, USA

Appellation: Willamette Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ THB2,000 - 3,500 (retail price in Thailand)

Web: http://www.beauxfreres.com/
Chubby Score: 94/100
Value for money: 8/10
Professional Rating: WS - 93/100, ST - 91/100, CT - 91/100

Appearance: medium red in ruby shade

Aroma: so much of aromas and fragrances: red berries, spices, and floral

Palate: silky smooth with complex spices, red berries note as well as plum, lingering, fresh, purity, long finish, mid tone acidity that is gorgeously balance with complexity

Pretty much in love with this Pinot Noir in New World style from Oregon. I once had tried it last year and really like it. This time, it did not disappoint me too. The style is different from Belle Glos I reviewed last week: lighter, fresher, and more complex. This beautiful bottle would last at least another 5 years and should go supremely well with fatty fish like salmon and cod. It can be delightful on its own too. Go grab some if you like medium body style Pinot Noir. Big Cheers!!!!!!

Ridge Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Date of Tasting: 19 April 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 13.7%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains

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

Web: http://www.ridgewine.com/
Chubby Score: 90/100
Value for money: 7/10
Professional Rating: RP - 91/100, WE - 87/100, JR - 17.5/20, DC - 17.3/20

Appearance: thick purplish red in colour

Aroma: expressive and rich aroma red fruits and spices

Palate: spectacular note of vanilla and currants followed by oaky touch, smooth and fine tannins and yet sweet notes, senses of coffee and licorice, mineral and fresh acids to balance, classic, medium-full bodied style

Twice in a row that I had visited Scarlett at Pullman G Bangkok and could not resist to order this bottle from the list. It was so fine and yet elegant. Perfect with decent food. Everyone on the table enjoyed the bottle nicely. Mild sweetness with acidity make this wine really splendid with food. Enjoy it over the next 5 years or a decade perhaps. Will raise more glasses for this wine personally.

Belle Glos 'Clark & Telephone' Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010

Date of Tasting: 25 January 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 14.3%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Santa Maria Valley

Expect to Pay: THB1,800 – 2,500 (retail price in Thailand)

Web: http://www.belleglos.com/
Chubby Score: 90/100
Value for money: 5/10
Professional Rating: WS - 93/100

Appearance: deep and dark purplish red

Aroma: intense and strong aroma of berries jam, gums, and vanilla

Palate: Striking dark berries scent with aromatic spices, dark and thick that almost jammy and leathery like and sweet in fact, supple but high tannins with silky touch, really long length of finish, indeed a heavy-bodied pinot noir

This is sure a non-traditional type of Pinot Noir. It is rich, sweet, and dramatic. If you do not like the thick liquid syrup style, then stay away from this California pinot noir. Personally, I do not like this one, though it is delicious. This is a wine to drink over a decade but I will like to see it lay down to soften for a few years more.