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.

Le Pauillac de Latour 2003 by Chateau Latour

Date of Tasting: 19 November 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: ~ 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Bordeaux, France

Appellation: Pauillac

Expect to Pay: ~ THB3,000 - 5,000

Web: http://www.chateau-latour.com/
Chubby Score: 92/100
Value for money: 5/10
Professional Rating: WA - 91/100, WS - 88/100, JR - 16.5/20, CT - 90/100

Appearance: bright ruby

Aroma: tar, cocoa, spices, and berries

Palate: medium-full body with fine and integrated tannins, berries and vanilla, mild oak, round and smooth with structure, medium on the finish

Seriously, this third wine is no joke. It is pretty delicious and seductive. I cannot imagine how good the first wine would have been. Le Pauillac de Latour 2003 is at the peak of its life now and should be fading out during the next few years. If you have some, drink up (I wish I have some in stock). A friend of mine brought this bottle for the night and there were three of us drinking during the course in which none of us denied the love in it. This is simply a charming little big boy.