Selecting, preparing and serving all the fine wines for the fourth Bangkok Post Charity Wine Dinner is Tiwa Yenwattana, the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok's wine expert who, for the past 10 years, has been the sommelier for Le Normandie and all of the hotel's restaurants.
"These are fantastic wines, one of the top classified growths from France's best wine areas," said Tiwa. "They were donated by Thailand's leading wine distributor, Vanichwathana (Bangkok) Co."
Pol Roger Reserve Brut NV, Epernay, Champagne
Established in 1849 around the town of Epernay in the Champagne region, Pol Roger is one of the few luxury Champagne houses still owned and run by the descendants of Pol Roger. The Brut NV is a pale gold colour with a very fine bead. It has a flowery, delicately toasty aroma with fruit and complexity _ creamy and beautifully balanced with a dry, harmonious finish.
Chateau Doisy-Vedrines, 2eme Cru Classe 1989, Sauternes
Doisy-Vedrines is a Deuxieme Cru Classe Sauternes which belongs to the long-established Casteja wine family. The 1989 Doisy-Vedrines is one of the finest vintages of all time.
This is a truly rich and most full-bodied wine, wonderfully pure with a sweet creamy texture and fine balancing acidity. The finish is incredibly long and precise.
Batard-Montrachet, Grand Cru, Joseph Drouhin 2004, Cote de Beaune
Batard Montrachet is one of the most famous Chardonnay-only Grand Cru vineyards in the Cote de Beaune region, producing some of the most expensive and rare wines in the world which are constantly sought after.
The Chardonnay grown here are exceptionally balanced with delicate fruit and acidity. The Joseph Drouhin 2004 is an extremely elegant wine, thick and creamy in texture, boasting good overall harmony with distinctive peach and almond nuances.
Chateau Figeac, 1er Grand Cru Classe B 1995, Saint-Emilion
Chateau Figeac is the largest and one of the two Premiers Grands Crus Classes estates in St Emilion, with a history dating back to the Gallo-Roman period. The estate had changed hands several times until 1892, when the Manoncourt family purchased it. Today the estate remains in the hands of the same family and continues its long legacy of producing exceptional wines.
The 1995 Chateau Figeac is an excellent classic Bordeaux blend displaying some almondy and nutty complexity. It has a fine impact on the palate, showing a very rounded and complete structure with a backbone of fine tannins and ample acidity. It rounds out really well on the finish, with attractive red fruit flavours.
Chateau Canon, 1er Grand Cru Classe B 2004, Saint-Emilion
Surrounded by top classified growths, Chateau Canon is one of the oldest estates in St Emilion. It owes its name to the owner of the 18th century, Jacques Canon. In 1996 the estate was acquired from the Fournier family, owners since 1919, by the Chanel group. The Chateau Canon 2004 is a rich wine, full of flavour. It carries the aromas of roasted meats and dark red fruits with a mineral streak. The palate is nicely rounded-off, well defined with a good frame of acidity and tannin.
Chateau Cheval Blanc, Grand Cru Classe A 1986, Saint-Emilion
This Premier Grand Cru Classe property occupies a unique position in St Emilion. It has a long, colourful history dating back to 1832. With its recent renovations, the estate is now the most modern facility in St Emilion and producing rich wines _ one of the longest lived Bordeaux wines being among them. The brick-red Chateau Cheval Blanc 1986 has a lovely, elegant finesse on the palate, with a full, creamy presence. This distinctive wine is beautifully balanced, with plenty of plum jam and tobacco character. It has a long finish, with some drying tannins still present. A wine to drink now.
For more information, contact Vanichwathana (Bangkok) Co at vanich@vanichwathana.com
