Yalumba The Octavius 2004

Date of Tasting: 14 November 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Shiraz

Alcohol: 14.5%

Origin: Barossa, Australia

Appellation: Barossa Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR70

Web: https://www.yalumba.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 94/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 96/100, WE - 94/100, ST - 93/100, WS - 92/100, JR - 17.5/20, DC - 17.5/20, CT - 92/100

Appearance: Dark inky purple.

Aroma: Peppery, blueberry and raspberry. Mild eucalyptus and chocolate.

Palate: Velvety big boy but fine and smooth. Well structured. Long to the end. Concentrated fruits in the form of liqueur like. 

Pretty much adore this new world shiraz. It was big but also in the possession of elegance. I didn't feel much of the oozy chewy Australian shiraz here but fine yet powerful one. Such a privilege to enjoy this Yalumba now. Nice piece of rib eye and you are done.

Paul Avril Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape 2004

Date of Tasting: 2 May 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah

Alcohol: 15.0%

Origin: Rhone, France

Appellation: Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Expect to Pay: ~ THB3,500

Web: http://www.clos-des-papes.fr/
Chubby Score: 94/100
Value for money: 6/10
Professional Rating: WA - 95/100, WS - 96/100, ST - 94/100, JR - 17.5/20, DC - 19.5/20, CT - 93/100

Appearance: ruby

Aroma: spicy, earth, mocha, and cherry

Palate: fresh sweet raspberries and cassis with liqueur like structure. bright, deep, and well structured with depth and length of long haul. somewhat chewy and bold but silky smooth with integrated tannins.

Needless to express much. This is a great bottle to be in possession. It is showing beautifully now and shall be excellent for another decade. This is a masculine one with sleek move. A lovely piece of steak to go along shall surely be a compliment. Cheers!!!!!!

E Guigal Ermitage Ex Voto Rouge 2009

Date of Tasting: 27 December 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Syrah

Alcohol: 13.5%

Origin: Rhone, France

Appellation: Ermitage

Expect to Pay: ~ THB10,000 - 20,000

Web: http://www.guigal.com/
Chubby Score: 100/100
Value for money: 8/10
Professional Rating: WA - 100/100, WS - 97/100, CT - 98/100

Appearance: dark violet ruby

Aroma: red fruits, floral, and spices

Palate: ripe blackberry and cassis, raspberry, spices, and small hint of vanilla, wood, lead, and flowers. powerful big body but supple and sweet tannins. elegant and extraordinary. long long finish with waves of notes one after one.

This big gentleman is a mind blowing canon: so much lingering dynamics with fruit notes. The aroma itself was flamboyance. Yet the palate touch was exceptional. The balance structure and silky fine tannins are unrivalled. It is accessible now during its early life. However, it would potentially live for a few more decades. I could not wait to see how it would develop. Really difficult indeed not to pop another bottle up. Cheers many more times!!!!!

Isole e Olena Collezione de Marchi Syrah 2006

Date of Tasting: 21 September 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Syrah

Alcohol: 14%

Origin: Tuscany, Italy

Appellation: IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica)

Expect to Pay: ~ THB1,900 - 2,500 (retail price in Thailand)

Web: n.a.
Chubby Score: 91/100
Value for money: 6/10
Professional Rating: WA - 91/100, WS - 92/100, ST - 89/100, FS - 91/100, CT - 93/100

Appearance: thick ruby

Aroma: floral and herbal which followed by red fruits

Palate: fresh and bright with dark fruits on the palate, spicy and peppery, earthy and tar, smoky and meaty, fabulous integrity and well balanced, big big body with smooth tannins, long and lingering

Upon popping the bottle, sulphur suddenly hit on my nose and I was not well impressed. However, as time went by it developed the aromatic and complex perfume up quickly. This bottle of syrah is indeed a big and powerful guy. It can be a little tight at an early stage of drinking at this point in time. Let it breathe some air before serving would be a nice consideration. Anyway, enjoy it over a decade. Gorgeous indeed. I personally would like to see how it develops. Salute!!!!!