Dinner at Crown Wine Cellars, Hong Kong

Tasted Saturday, March 8, 2008 by Goldstone with 644 views

Introduction

A lovely evening with Runny & Miki and Greg & Sayo. Oddly, this started off as a plan for me to do a horizontal of older Central Otago Pinot Noirs but Greg then said he'd quite like to bring a D'Yquem and we all dug a bit deeper into our cellars.........

Flight 1 (1 Note)

Flight 2 (2 Notes)

  • 1997 Massoni Chardonnay Red Hill 90 Points

    Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Mornington Peninsula

    Provided by Runny who had "forgotten" about this bottle until finding it at the back of his wine fridge. Deep gold colour. A gorgeous nose of ripe peaches, mangoes and spice. A rich palate of predominantly pineapples together with the peaches and mangoes but not cloying (surprisingly). Good structure and still lots of lovely refreshing acidity. A lovely wine despite the fact that I don't normally like oaked Aussie Chardonnays....probably because it's from the cooler Mornington Peninsula.

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  • 2006 Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 88 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

    This is another of our favourites which seems to convert everyone we introduce it to. Merest hints of green and yellow in colour. Fresh, vibrant nose of nettles, limes and minerals. Clean, fresh palate with good fruit which avoids the stainless steel sharpness of some of the grassier NZ Sauvignon Blancs. Elegant.

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Flight 3 (2 Notes)

  • 1982 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon John Riddoch 91 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra

    Provided by Runny and decanted for several hours beforehand. Deep red, still almost black and inpenetrable colour. The nose is rich red dry soil, earthy with a touch of roasted green peppers. Super. High acidity on the palate but lovely fruit: classic Cabernet Sauvignon blackberries and briar fruits. Touches of caramel emerge with time in the glass. Huge length and some "in your head" sensations on the finish. A great wine but the nose faded away over time and the palate dried out with extended time in the glass so I think it's time to drink these up.

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  • 1984 Henschke Shiraz Hill of Grace 93 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley

    Double decanted for 8 hours. Was very pale, almost washed-out on first opening and distinctively bretty with some prune notes that suggested it had gone south. In fact it looked, smelt and tasted almost exactly like a 1970s Ch. Musar. The cork was also decayed despite being a Museum Collection bottle sourced directly from the winery. I was not optimistic for this wine other than that I have experienced 1970s Ch. Musars rise Lazurus-like from the grave. 8 hours later it was unrecognisably improved. Now a deep red colour with no sign of bricking (how does that happen?). All the brett had gone (clearly it had been cork-induced) and the nose was beautifully fresh with new soft leather with blackberries and plum stones on the back end. The palate was velvet and leather with lots of fruit. Great structure but with a bit too much acid to be perfect. Huge length and very pronounced " in your head" sensations. Lovely. Feminine and subtle.....which are not words you'd normally accociate with Aussie Shiraz. An heretical thought but might screw caps be better?

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Flight 4 (1 Note)

  • 1986 Château d'Yquem 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    Opened a couple of hours beforehand. Deep alluring golden colour. Gentle nose of lemon zest, orange zest and light marmalade with a very slight touch of spices. Gorgeous on the palate- orange rind, great roundness, refreshing acidity, distinct Seville orange marmalade and touches of burnt creme brulee as it opens up. Good length.We didn't give this too long in the glass and it might have benefitted from opening somewhat earlier.

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Flight 5 (1 Note)

  • 1994 Warre Porto Vintage 95 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Decanted for 8 hours beforehand. Black colour with no translucency. Very ripe prunes on the nose but no trace of secondary elements. On the palate it is lovely rich prunes and red liquorice: very heartwarming. A bit hot. Huge, huge length. Brilliant but not nearly yet ready to drink.......needs another 10-20 years.

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