2012
My recent boom is old, mature California wines which are rare to find mainly because there are not many such things!
But there are, as usual, some exceptions in this category too. This sparkling wine is one of them.
It has beautiful mature, complex flavors that are found on the elegant frame. Can this wine be called "Champagne look alike"?
No, in my view, this is very Californian except it's an old school style and is very rare to find nowadays. simply because for the last 15 years many winemakers in California have ceased to make wine like this. But I keep searching for wines of this elegant, complex style as long as there are "delicious left overs" from California!
Roederer Estate "L'Ermitage" 1999 Anderson Valley, California
Kaz Chiba
Head Sommelier
This wine is well known for its capability of aging very long but it is extremely rare to encounter the wine that is mature enough.
But, finally, I happened to find the rare bottles of the mature Chardonnay!
Mount Eden Estate Chardonnay 1998 Santa Cruz Mountains, California
Kaz Chiba
Head Sommelier
Have you traveled to a countryside and visited a wine shop (or a liqueur shop) where you surprisingly encounter a rare wine that you can NEVER find in a big city?
Obviously, Tokyo is a big city. However, Looking at the city from a perspective of California wine market, well I cannot help but consider my city as a rural countryside where few people pay much attention except French or Italian wines.
I happened to encounter this rare wine in Tokyo that you have little chance to find even in US!
Au Bon Climat "Sanford & Benedict" Chardonnay 1999 Santa Ynez Valley (now Sta. Rita Hills), California
Kaz Chiba
Head Sommelier
Great Chardonnay by one of the top producers in California, using grapes from a great vineyard that would be called "Grand Cru" if it were in Burgundy. California sunshine and minerals coexist in this wine, which is a very rare combo!
Patz & Hall "Hyde" Chardonnay 2009 Carneros, California
Kaz Chiba
Head Sommelier
One of the very best producers in the region, Champagne, crafting a classic style "Blanc de Blancs".
Beautiful minerarity and bright acidity that are well balanced
with creamy richness and complex mushroomy aromas & flavors.
It has everything you would expect from a fine Champagne. Precision and finesse are the words
that are constantly popping up in my mind.
We start serving this great Champagne by the glass in April.
Diebolt Vallois "Blanc de Blancs Brut Prestige", Champagne
Kaz Chiba
Head Sommelier
We are introduced by The New York Times with a great review!
http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/travel/restaurant-review-hortensia-in-tokyo.html?src=recg
I was very fortunate to encounter this wine again that had been sold out recently.
And as a matter of fact, this wine was "My Wine of The Year 2011!"
1998 was considered as a bad vintage because of El Nino. But you never know
until you open it! Voila, it turned out to be a very elegant and complex wine, being reminiscent of
a classic Bordeaux with no lack of finesse!
Anderson's Conn Valley "Eloge" 1998 Napa Valley, California
Kaz Chiba
Head Sommelier
2007 in Oregon is a year that was less successful with more rain and less sunshine. But, the other side of the coin is that it turned out that the wines have more in common with Burgundy accordingly because of the resemblance to the climate of Burgundy! And it is a good thing for the Burgundy lovers but not for those who love big, rich Pinot from California!
WillaKenzie "Pierre Leon" Pinot Noir 2007 Willamette Valley, Oregon
Kaz Chiba
Head Sommelier
A lot of producers in California don't take this variety, Sauvignon Blanc as seriously as, say, Cabernet Sauvignon but this producer
has been crafting their wine by focusing on this too often underestimated variety. Quite impressive!
Brander "Au Naturel" Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Santa Ynez Valley, California
Kaz Chiba
Head Sommelier
One of the best "mountain Cabs" in Napa Valley, in other words, a wine that has a formidable tannin structure and extremely concentrated, rich fruit flavors! The fact that it is Cabernet might make you associate this wine with Bordeaux but if you are a big fan of mature, elegant Ch. Margaux, you shouldn't try this wine. It's a world apart!
Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Spring Mountain-Napa Valley, California
Kaz Chiba
Head Sommelier
Very mature California Cab!
It tastes more like Bordeaux than other big and rich California Cabs that are more often found
so that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this wine to the French,
of course, unless they immediately show an adverse reaction to wine "made in America".....
Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon 1993 Napa Valley, California
Kaz Chiba
Head Sommelier
It might be possible to find the same wine if you are lucky but not one with the same vintage!
Williams Selyems "Allen" Chardonnay 2001 Russian River Valley, California
Kaz Chiba
Head Sommelier
The former winemaker of Peter Michael, Vanessa Wong makes this fantastic Chardonnay in the unique place formerly called "True Sonoma Coast" that is now given an official AVA that is Fort Ross Seaview .
Enojy this intense yet elegant Chardonnay by the glass!
Peay Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2009, California
Kaz Chiba
Head Sommelier
One of the top Pinot Noir producers in California! Besides that, this is a special cuvee! Enjoy it by the glass!
Au Bon Climat "Knox Alexander" Pinot Noir 2008 Santa Maria Valley, California
Kaz Chiba
Head Sommelier
California Syrah from a place that is famous for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay or even Sparkling wine!
Very distinctive!
Pax "Kobler Family" Syrah 2004 Green Valley of Russian River Valley, California
Head Sommelier Kaz Chiba
Rare mature California Chardonnay from Ramey!
Ramey "Hyde" Chardonnay 2003 Carneros, California
Ramey "Hudson" Chardonnay 2003 Carneros, California
Head Sommelier Kaz Chiba
