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 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.

Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Red Wine 2009

Date of Tasting: 25 March 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec

Alcohol: 15.2%

Origin: Washington, USA

Appellation: Columbia Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR60

Web: http://www.quilcedacreek.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 94/100, ST - 91/100, CT - 92/100

Appearance: Deep crimson

Aroma: Herbs, smoke, cocoa, tobacco and black fruits

Palate: Full on the palate. Deep exotic spices. Sweet ripe berries, chocolate, graphite, and oakiness. Fine and smooth tannins.

Needless to say much. This second wine from Quilceda Creek is surely one of the top of New World wine from Washington. It is sexy and yet opulent. Ones will indeed enjoy a big punch of this bordeaux blend. It is ready now and should be fabulous at least 5 years ahead. Quilceda Creek Red Wine 2009 will surely be a perfect compliment with red meat and rich dishes. Raise the glass!!!!

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!!!

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!!!!!!

Almaviva 2010

Date of Tasting: 8 December 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Carmenere, 9% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 14.5%

Origin: Maipo Valley, Chile

Appellation: Alto Maipo

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR110

Web: http://www.almavivawinery.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 94/100
Professional Rating: WA - 92/100, WS - 94/100, JS - 97/100, ST - 94/100, JR - 17.5/20, CT - 93/100

Appearance: dark red / violet

Aroma: cassis, currants, spices, and mild vanilla

Palate: Big and bold but great balance with lingering acidity. Soft and fresh on palate. Fruit forward with ripe tannins. Dark berries note with some bitter chocolate.

Simply powerful and dense but a harmonious and fine bottle from Chile. Pretty nice and accessible now. With nice steak, this would be a wonderful way to enjoy. Stay with it if power style (with a bit of oakiness of course) is what you are looking for.

Chateau Talbot 2005

Date of Tasting: 8 December 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Bordeaux, France

Appellation: Saint Julien / Quatrieme Grand Cru

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR70

Web: http://www.chateau-talbot.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Professional Rating: WA - 90/100, WS - 92/100, JS - 93/100, WE - 93/100, ST - 91/100, DC - 16.5/20, JR - 16.5/20, CT - 90/100

Appearance: nice deep purplish ruby

Aroma: nose of smoky oak / tobacco and violets

Palate: Medium-full with moderate integrated tannins. Fine texture. Ripe currants and herbs with a little touch of sweetness. Nice juicy finish.

A charming bottle at its readiness and peak. We popped and poured and it showed beautiful development through out. Not the kind of power but lean towards fresh and fine. Relatively forward. Sweet juice, fine texture, freshness, and attractive complexity integrate well to offer this classic and enjoyable bottle. Recommended Saint Julien for enjoying now.

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.

Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno 2010

Date of Tasting: 9 September 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: ~ 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 14.5%

Origin: Tuscany, Italy

Appellation: Toscana IGT

Expect to Pay: ~ THB2,000

Web: http://www.tenutasetteponti.it/
Chubby Score: 94/100
Value for money: 9/10
Professional Rating: WA - 96/100, WS - 94/100, JS - 96/100, CT - 93/100

Appearance: dark purplish ruby

Aroma: complex bouquet of ripe dark berries, black pepper, tobacco and graphite, and vinegar

Palate: exciting sweet red and black fruits and herbs. refined and supple. silky but masculine tannins and impressive length. 

Simply beautiful and gorgeous at excellent price comparing to many other Super Tuscan and Bordeaux. Wonderfully crafted. It was rich and structured. Sleek and sexy but enormous at the same time. Long live ahead so you better stock up. Salute!!!!!!

Tenuta Sette Ponti Poggio al Lupo Maremma 2009

Date of Tasting: 3 August 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (~75%), Alicante (~20%), Petit Verdot (~5%)

Alcohol: 13.5%

Origin: Tuscany, Italy

Appellation: IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica)

Expect to Pay: ~ THB1,200 - THB2,000

Web: http://www.tenutasetteponti.it/
Chubby Score: 89/100
Value for money: 5/10
Professional Rating: WS - 89/100

Appearance: opaque red/violet

Aroma: tea, cedar, dark berries, and phenol

Palate: ripe dark fruit such as cherry and plum with spices and herbs notes, mocha and espresso to the background, big, dark, and dense with firm tannins, very dry, full body

This is a big guy that is still shy. I would guess that this lad needs to rest for a few more years before showing the potential for a decade. Need to wait for tannins to integrate and fruit flavour to shine. If you do not like something really big, this is perhaps not the one for you. It will sure need something right to along side such as steak, roasted red meat, and rich flavour cheese.

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.