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.

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!!!!

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.

Walter Hansel Pinot Noir Cuvee Alyce 2012

Date of Tasting: 9 March 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 14.2%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Russian River Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR45

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

Appearance: Dark red

Aroma: Ripe black cherry. Spices with mild forest floor.

Palate: Full on the body. Outgoing characters with fruit forward. Cherry and raspberry notes with vanilla tone on the palate.

Beautiful wine at decent price that can be nicely consumed at its young state and should live well to 2020. Not the kind of overly jammy / oaky as in typical Californian pinot noir but hybrid of European characters. I, personally, even enjoy it alone but it should be great with red meat dishes. Cheers!!!!

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!!!!!!

Walter Hansel The North Slope Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012

Date of Tasting: 30 December 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 14.2%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Russian River Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR35

Web: http://www.walterhanselwinery.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Professional Rating: WA - 94/100, AG - 92/100, ST - 92/100

Appearance: Ruby red

Aroma: Sweet red berries and spices

Palate: Rather rich medium-full bodied pinot. More fruit forward. Dark cherry flavour with fine acidity. Some spicy notes. Gentle and smooth tannins. Balance on the overall.

Nicely approachable Californian Pinot Noir. I had this with shabu shabu and sukiyaki. Food and wine supported each other well. Fruity palate but not too heavily weighted: more of feminine than masculine. To me, this is like a half-blood style of Pinot Noir: i.e. half Burgundian, half New World. Would not mind at all to follow this producer in the future.

Walter Hansel Chardonnay Cuvee Alyce 2012

Date of Tasting: 29 December 2014

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 14.5%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Russian River Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR30

Web: http://www.walterhanselwinery.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Professional Rating: WA - 95/100, AG - 92/100, ST - 92/100, CT - 91/100

Appearance: golden yellow

Aroma: perfume of peach, pear, tropical fruits, and flowers

Palate: Buttery, creamy, and concentrated body. Ripe pear with spices and smoky note. Nice acidity and subtle oak. 

Simply said, a fine bottle of Chardonnay that would not break your bank. If the full bodied type with some fruits, spices, and a balance of delicate oak and acidity is what you like, here is an alternative for you. This one would perhaps pair well with white meat dishes or rich flavour fish. I do enjoy this bottle now.

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!!!!!!

Kistler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2012

Date of Tasting: 4 December 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 14.1%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Russian River Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR70

Web: http://www.kistlervineyards.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Professional Rating: WS - 90/100, CT - 92/100

Appearance: bright ruby

Aroma: perfume of rose, menthol, red fruits, and spices

Palate: Subtle and silkily smooth with medium body. Savoury raspberry notes with spices and lively acidity. Fresh, dry, rich and elegant. 

Cool climate style of pinot noir with vibrant and elegant style rather that the usual sweet and dense US pinot noir. The soft and smooth touch are the plus points on the palate whilst the highly perfumed nose is as well wonderful. It is made to be accessible young so consume during the next 5 years. I shall indeed enjoy more of this. 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.

Leviathan Red Wine 2008

Date of Tasting: 9 March 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 40% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Syrah, 14% Merlot

Alcohol: 14.5%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: California

Expect to Pay: ~ THB2,000 - THB3,000

Web: http://www.leviathanwine.com/
Chubby Score: 94/100
Value for money: 8/10
Professional Rating: WS - 93/100, CT - 92/100

Appearance: dark, deep, and dense red

Aroma: black fruits, licorice, caramel, and spices

Palate: big and bold with multi dimensions, so much black fruits and vanilla, dense on the palate, long finish, featuring smooth tannins

This is a big big new world style as its name "Leviathan". Simply said Leviathan features great red Bordeaux blend at reasonable price. First time to sip and it is another love at first sight. Grab it if you happen to come across. A beautiful bottle to enjoy during this decade. A food wine it is. Cheers!!!

Beaux Freres Upper Terrace Pinot Noir 2008

Date of Tasting: 26 September 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 13.5%

Origin: Oregon, USA

Appellation: Ribbon Ridge

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

Web: http://www.beauxfreres.com/
Chubby Score: 94/100
Value for money: 8/10
Professional Rating: WS - 95/100, ST - 92/100, CT - 92/100

Appearance: dark medium tone ruby

Aroma: blueberry and floral floor with extravagance spices

Palate: medium body, aromatic with complexity,  and yet long haul, moderate tannins that integrate well to give silk-like palate touch, fruity with cherry, blueberry, and black currant notes, fine and elegant mineral and acidity to balance, bright and expressive are the words

I just love this wine a lot. It is right now accessible and I suspect that it would live well until the end of this decade. The texture was so smooth and delicious, silky in fact. It was less chewy than other USA pinot noir. This bottle is a no joke at all. Tremendous and wonderful. Lucky to have this Burgundian like pinot noir a few more in stock. Shall raise more glasses!!!

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.

Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2008

Date of Tasting: 24 August 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 13.5%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains

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

Web: http://www.ridgewine.com/
Chubby Score: 90/100
Value for money: 5/10
Professional Rating: WA - 94/100, WS - 89/100, JS - 92/100, WE - 90/100, ST - 90/100, DC - 17/20, CT - 91/100

Appearance: ruby

Aroma: aroma of dark fruites with cedar and graphite

Palate: medium body of Caberbet Sauvignon base with dry and fine tannins, blueberries and currants with overhanging mineral and earth, herbal, tobacco boxes, express with medium length

This Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, which was call Santa Cruz, is elegant rather than big and bold. It is accessible at it s early life and is expected to perform excellently at least until the end of this decade. Not really the style that I would crape for as it lacks of sweet charm. Well, it is, nonetheless, a good bottle to enjoy. Cheers!!!!!

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!!!!

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.