6/6/2021 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Dinner at home with Wendy and Alex. What a immense generosity from Alex for bringing such a marvelous wine. With 30+ years on record, only a slight bricking color on the rim, the 89 Palmer still carries an amazing vibrancy that's captivating to the palate and mind. Bottle breath for couple hours, and over the course of the dinner time the nose kept developing, sweet black fruits, earth, truffle, and wet cardboard (which then blew off), then tertiary nuances of old leather and matured cigar, amazing. Tannins have softened, seems to be at a sweet drinking spot at the moment. A true great wine!

2/3/2016 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

One label from 2003 that personally have resisted from opening, because its quite pricey and small production. But tasting it is a real treat. Inky dark, with aromatics of black/blueberry, dark coco, cinnamon, forest floor, stone. Rich and balanced palate coupled with juicy, earthy notes and tasty tannins, excellent finish that lasts for almost a minute. As much as the wine is approachable right now, all the elements point toward that the future is bright for the 2003 Bellevue Mondotte.

1/19/2016 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

First time checking in on this gem on a special occasion, and it was splendid and memory lasting. Numerous wonderful TN has been written by critics and CT fans, and there's no doubting that the 2005 Palmer is simply gorgeous, for all the wine lovers this is a must try.

On the first look, the deep ruby it sports is clear and pure. With 2-3 hours of aeration in the decanter, mesmerising bouquet of sweet currants, truffle, cigar, earth, liquorice and incense fills up all your senses on the nose. On the palate the intensity of richness and concentration rattles your mind, then the velvety texture and beautiful balance takes you to cloud nine. Opulent, multi-layered, notes of sweet berries, luxurious oak and savoury dance on your tongue, with super fine, grippy tannins providing the lift. Finish is long and exquisite, with woody, jammy and tobacco notes. Take a picture of yourself at the end of this sensuous experience, and enjoy that warm smile as the reward =)

12/21/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Slow ox for three hours and another hour in decanter. The nose is less pungent than the last encounter, nonetheless it's filled with various soothing notes of cassis, cigar, coffee, truffle, anise, spice and green pepper. Palate is medium body, with good energy and structure, savory note well blended with earthiness and smokiness. Tannins have softened but retain the bite and weight. Not the longest finish you'd expect, but still great and makes you keep drinking more.

12/16/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

The 2000 Poyferre still needs quite a bit of aeration time to open up. Sports a deep ruby color and a youthful look. The bouquet is loaded with many goodies, black and red fruits, spring flowers, earth, vanilla oak, spice and a touch of herbs. Smooth, velvety palate coast your mouth with energy, beautiful structure with good grip and refreshing acidity. Rich, layered flavors last for great length. Excellent wine.

11/24/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

This bottle was just a tag lighter in complexity and structure than the previous on. Nonetheless, the 96 Cos seems to be at a sweet spot right now. Richness in the aromatics and taste are undeniably fantastic, loaded with dark red fruit, mineral, bell pepper, coffee, earth, spice and herbal leaves notes. The "green" element does seem a bit stronger than last time, but the 90s seem to possess quite some of this, and its not intrusive and adding a degree of distinction. Excellent balance, with refreshing acidity and softened tannins. Very good stuff

10/16/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Upon opening this one was the shy boy, especially sitting next to the 2001 Haut Brion, which began some level of singing from the get go. With two hours of decanting, and more time in the glass, shy boy no longer, and everything started swinging with stride. In terms of vintage, one might expect the 2001 to have an edge, but the 2002 Latour has no means to play the second fiddle. Gorgeous ruby color that'd capture your sight with wonder. Once the wine opens up, the bouquet is complex and packed with a great punch, loaded with black currants, spring flowers, earthy minerals, sweet spices, gente cigar note, hint of coffee and cinnamon. A supremely balanced palate carrying an enormous structure and freshness that makes each sip so delightful. Not as full bodied as a Latour in a great vintage, nevertheless a complete, wonderful beauty for all admirers. The round tannins seem to be made so effortlessly, brilliant winemaking skills. The finish is long and expansive, tobacco smoke and cassis is what you could breathe in and out, and draws a giggle on your face. Brilliant!

10/16/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Color wise, has a slight brownish look in comparison to the 2002 Latour next to it. On the nose, more forward, gentler, with red friuts, anise, minerality, peppery spice and mushroom notes. Soft, structured texture with fascinating concentration coasting the palate. Round edges compliements the delicious plum and earth tone, and the finish is elegant, with cassis, tobacco and orange peel lingers long and clear. Great wine and an absolute treat, but the 2002 Latour flew above it on this occassion.

10/7/2015 - Cheungtp wrote:

Still sporting a youthful dark profile, after slow oz for three hours, beautiful bouquet comes out with cassis, blueberry, floral, flint, cigar wrapper and leather. Palate wise, it is not as tannic as first thought of, with a good level of softness and round feel to it. Quite rich with spice, savoury and freshness. The finish is on the short end with tobacco and tea leaf aftertaste; however, acidic taste emerges and gain strength over time, wish it could do better here. Nonetheless, a nice wine for the drinkers to enjoy.

9/18/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

This is a white wine that's quite different in style in comparison to other whites. Golden in color, rich and viscous when you swell the glass. The bouquet initially is filled with apricot, green apple and lemon zest, it would make you think that this might be a sweet white instead. But that's the deceiving part, the most interesting aspect of this wine, when the wine enters your palate - bang! rich juice packed with ample amount of refreshing acidiy, absolutely no sweet notes as the nose suggested prior. Wonderful structure and balance, fruity note and wine's characters will keep your imagination on-going for minutes after the finish. More amazingly, the wine sat in the decanter, no chilling, and still going strong hours into the dinner. The nose keeps evolving and added slight savoury note and fresh melon. This white seems to be one of those rare giants that can stand the course of a full dinner and can pair brilliantly with all dishes.

8/15/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Impeccable dark purple in color, sporting a much younger profile than it's actual age. A decent amount of decant time is recommended (first time having it, and wasn't sure how much aeration time it's needed). Aromatics are rich and deep, ample amount of currants, cigar, flowers, minerals, hint of bell pepper and spices. When it hits the palate, it yells "quality", fantastically balanced, body, structure, acidity, weight, all seems so harmonious. Not to mention the long lasting fruity, smokey and earthy aftertaste.

This wine brings smile to your face and happiness to your soul. A new world wine with genuine old world quality - winner!

8/6/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

The captivating nose will freshen up all your senses and ask you to pay serious attention. Aromas composed of dark fruits, old classy leather, cigar, earth and a hint of minty freshness. Round, plush month feel, carrying very luxurious sense, although there's some tightness to the body, but that's likely due to the young age of the wine itself. Quality is top notch, balance, acidity, and the tannic grip are all finely measured and simply delicious.

This wine is serious, and it will turn out even more magnificent given another 5-10 years of cellaring. It's fantastically mixed with both power and softness. And these are some elements that would make tasters busy searching for the rightful descriptions. Perhaps more fittingly, simply sit back, get a meaty dish, and enjoy this juice. Cheers

8/7/2015 - Cheungtp wrote:

More clam and approachable than the previous bottle. Seems like cellaring time has worked favor to the overall tasting experience. Retaining still its youthful profile and primary fat. Takes quite a bit of aeration effort to bring out juicy currants, floral, licorice and olives, the strong alcohol scent has receded and not intruding anymore. Soft, smooth palate is, yet remains quite linear and not much complexity in it. For the price tag, quite a good value indeed.

6/28/2015 - Cheungtp wrote:

The initial impression is really quite promising, deep purple / ruby core, with a rich bouquet loaded with black currants, violent, spring flowers, incense, flint, raspberry, oaky vanilla and white pepper spice. The nose gained more earthy tone over time. On the palate, very rich, forward, with lots of cigar smoke, sweet berries, plum meat and spice. The tannic backbone is solid, but not inturding. The balance of the wine seems slightly off between the acidity and fruits, the spice tone also causing the inharmony to the experience, and dominate over other notes as time progresses. Additional cellaring time will hopefully bring all the elements more integrated for future tasting.

6/12/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Always tempted to open a bottle of this 2005 and see what it offers. No decant this time but slow ox for 8 hours. A young beauty, inky dark in color, gives out a rather powerful bouquet that's loaded with ripe dark fruits, vanilla oak, spices, licorice, dark cocoa and forest floor. And it doesn't stop there, full, round, plush palate is another round of splendid treatment, coupled with refreshing acidity and powdery tannins, good length. Very good value, and value is hard to come by nowadays. More time in cellar will certainly add more complexity and fullness to this wine, but it's delicious already, and no harm to open one and enjoy.

5/8/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

A young Lalande, sporting a deep purple dark profile. With two hours of bottle breathe and another half an hour in the glass, fresh, gentle aromatics of black cherry, pencil shavings, licorice, crushed tobacco leaf and hint of mint and green olive wake up your senses. The 06 Lalande has a great deal of good life in front of her, another 5-10 years of cellaring will certainly make it fuller and more complex. At the current stage, a good long breathing time could do, the medium plus texture, dark fruit concentrated nature and impeccable balance will surely please you with all the positives.

5/1/2015 - Cheungtp wrote:

Very dark red in color. With a youthful appearance, nice but somewhat shy on the nose. Dark fruit, earth and minerality are on the offering though a bit light at this stage. Palate is rich, silky and very well balanced with satisfying senses of plum meat, stone, tobacco leaf and refreshing acidity leading to a smoky finish. The 96 Poyferre seems to have a good depth in it, but maybe not at the right time to reveal it all, perhaps more cellaring time will help.

5/1/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Bottle breathed for the entire afternoon, but a couple hours of decanting would have been better.
Deep ruby, nose still a bit shy, but the bouquet has ample amount of goodies, dark fruits, spice, rich cigar aroma, wet earth, wood and leather. The rich, round texture is a treat, filling you palate with velvety weight and finely grained tannins. Both the richness and freshness of the 96 GPL speaks volume about this fantastic wine. No hurry on it, it seems to have only just entered its prime drinking window.

4/11/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

First true encounter with an old Champagne, and it's awesome! There's no bubbles (champagne ignorant here), but a golden elixir that offers a complex nose filled with fruity sweetness, creamy bakery and nutty notes. Acidity and alcohol is exquisitely balanced, and the soft touch on the palate makes you almost not wanting to swallow. Long and still lively. Simply brilliant! Thanks Isaac for such a fantastic treat.

4/11/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Finally gotten the chance to try this El Nido, even nicer to share it with good drinking buddies. Big, hedonistic wine but not a fruit bomb like the new world. Even though the wine is predominantly cabernet sauvignon, it contains a very refreshing feel to it that's different from Bordeaux or Napa. Dark fruits, iron, menthol, floral created such a soothing breeze to the nose. Rich, dense, full month feel, with ripe dark fruits but tastes just right without getting to the region where there's a bitter sense like many new worlds give you, savoury touch is refreshing and tannins are chewy, perhaps could be finer but that's just being picky. I'd say this nice wine is somewhere between the old and the new worlds, a pleasant surprise and delicious treat.

4/11/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Although the light ruby color tells its age, the 85 Cos is at its sweet spot and drinking very nicely. Red fruits, mineral, spice, earthy elements have all come together, coupling with the smooth mouth feel and still a good grippy touch. The wine will certainly hold up gracefully for many years, a wonderful claret.

3/22/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

The dark purple profile tells you that this gem is still young, but it's really drinking quite nicely now. With 1+ hours decant, aromatics of gravel, cassis, floral, cedar and cigar wrapper came out sweetly. Medium body, rich palate with dark fruits and forest notes. Not the grandest Montrose you'd expect, but the beautiful blend of elegance and masculinity will leave you satisfied. A real nice Bordeaux, and it certainly will improve some more with additional time in the cellar.

3/19/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

First time trying this wine, and really quite nice. Soothing bouquet with sweet strawberry, red fruits, autumn leaves and earthy tone, good depth on the nose. On the palate, young, fresh, with sweet fruits and some mineral tone, brilliant balance of acidity and tannic backbone giving the wine such a freshness and weight. A rich, delicious Burgundy that's worth the buck and will certainly seek out more.

3/19/2015 - Cheungtp wrote:

A lovely mature Pomerol, with a gentle bouquet of red/black fruit, violet, cocoa powder and old leather. Nice velvety structure and balance with tasty tannins, notes of sweet plum, tobacco and stone on the palate and in the after taste, decent length. A nice wine and paired fantastically with the duck confit and Iberico pork loin at the Robuchon Macau. However, at the price of $140, there could be many other good options. Cheers

3/7/2015 - Cheungtp wrote:

Dark garnet in color with light browning at the rim, reticent aromas of smoke, coffee bean, wood chip, wet earth and red fruits. Plush texture that appears round and creamy, lots of dark chocolate, cigar smoke and spice on the palate. The sense of alcohol seems a bit stronger than expected, acidity is at a fair level with resolved tannins. This is drinking quite nice at the moment, good but a bit simple.

2/7/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Ducru Beaucaillou vertical tasting (Metropolitan wine cellar, HK): Personal experience with old old wine is scarce, and always kinda afraid that they'd have passed their peak and carry the oxidized note with it. So with great luck that this '66 DB really gave us a good tasting experience. Brilliant mature nose of red and black cherries, old leather, prune, earthy with a hint of herb. The palate was soft, plush, woody, plumy, with lovely balance. An awesome oldie!

2/7/2015 - Cheungtp wrote:

Ducru Beaucaillou vertical tasting (Metropolitan wine cellar, HK): Right after the '85 DB, although they carry a somewhat similar style but unfortunately the '75 is weaker and lighter in comparison. The matured '75 has a rustic feel with red fruit, herbal, tobacco note in company. Light to medium mouth feel with fading tannins and short finish.

2/7/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Ducru Beaucaillou vertical tasting (Metropolitan wine cellar, HK): Drinking real nicely at the moment, singing from the start, with red cherry, earth, mineral, tobacco and leather on the nose. Balanced, smooth with nice weight round up the mouth feel, good acidity and tannins making their presence felt, couple with a medium finish. Definitely one to enjoy now.

2/7/2015 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Ducru Beaucaillou vertical tasting (Metropolitan wine cellar, HK): Thanks to all the TNs on the CT, bought a bottle and finally gotten a chance to share it with other tasters at this Ducru tasting event. Although '98 is more a Right Bank vintage, Left Bank wines do provide some surprises. Given the wine prices these days, value is hardly a common word associated with Bordeaux. But relatively '98 Left Bank is worthy to try out and taste the classic goodness.

Unfortunately did not get to decant this '98 Ducru much before tasting, yet no denying that the '98 is at the entrance of its drinking window. Good, clean nose with nice aromatics of cassis, floral, forest floor, anise, cedar wood. Continue to the palate, round, soft, velvety with balanced structure, juicy fruits intermixed with rightful amount of acidity and fine tannins. A long finish would have complimented the whole experience wonderfully, but that's just a picky comment. A very good wine for drinking indeed.

2/7/2015 - Cheungtp wrote:

Ducru Beaucaillou vertical tasting (Metropolitan wine cellar, HK): A young Ducru to get the tasting event started. Dark inky core with tightness on the aromatics, dark cassis on the outset, light senses of licorice, tobacco, spice and stone lack a bit of focus. Mouth feel is medium bodied, clean, plush and accompanied by red/black berry and herbal spices. No hard edges to this young Ducru, yet not much excitement in its structural build either, maybe because of it youth but more so due to the vintage perhaps.

12/25/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

A great young Pauillac, if only I could have given it a longer decant. All the power and energy is hidden in the background, and they are waiting to be unearthed with a few more years in the cellar. Dark bright ruby core with long legs. Bouquet of cassis, cut grass, cigar, earth, ashes, flower and mint, deep and clean. Rich, dense month feel, with solid structure, juicy berry fruits and savory notes on the palate. Wonderful acidity and fine powdery tannins are refreshing and provides a nice weight to the drinking pleasure, complementing the finish of plum juice, tea leaf and tobacco. Right now, the depth that the 2000 GPL should excite the drinkers a great wine is in the making.

12/24/2014 - Cheungtp wrote:

To celebrate his birthday, Danny opened an aged gem for us. Soft and almost completely soaked cork, brownish color reveals the matured nature of the 75 Lafite. The wine still possesses the elegance and balance it's renowned for. However, it seems this bottle has reached its peak and carried a slight bit of oxidized notes. All the tertiary notes are comforting.

12/24/2014 - Cheungtp wrote:

Dark, opaque, bright in appearance. This is a well made 2003 right bank Bordeaux, without any cooked sensation. Rather it's very balanced, dark fruits, liquorice, coffee, cut wood, earth and some menthol. The wine is still developing it seems and better time is to further down the road. Solid structure, masculine yet creamy texture, with good acidity. Good length, with tobacco and red fruits lingering. Well done.

12/14/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

The 96 Baron is a very delicious wine, and will bring much enjoyment to the drinkers. Ruby coloured, the nose is initially predominated with green elements, but with aeration time, the complexity comes out in full strike. Your smelling senses will be drenched in dark and blue fruits, cigar box, cedar wood, lead pencil, cinnamon and wet wood. Concentrated, juicy palate has all the balance and structure one can ask for a top fine Bordeaux. All the elements seem to be well integrated and it can be (will be) enjoyed for many years to come.

12/13/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Always a pleasure drinking this delicious Barton. Although the lack of time to decant might have cost the enjoyment slight bit this round. The 2003 Barton has all the goodies, with deep, complex aromas of ripe currants, florals, anise, cocoa, minerals and licorice. Palate is full, rich, structured, with notes of espresso, cigar smoke, jam and toasty oak. Plush, fine chewy tannins is a delight, coupled with a long finish of tobacco leaf, red fruit and cut wood. A crowd pleaser.

12/13/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

The 2003 Duhart Milon sports a ruby appearance, lighter than both the Malescot and Barton. Aromatics of cassis, pencil lead, cedar, forest floor are easy to spot, quite gentle and comforting. On the palate, very well balanced, fresh, filled with black and red fruits, smokey taste. Good amount of acidity, fine powdery tannins, medium finish. Although a bit linear in nature, this is a very well made 2003, and excellent with food.

12/13/2014 - Cheungtp wrote:

Been over a year since the last bottle. It seems the wine has softened up a bit. Purpleish ruby in color, with bouquet of dark currants, floral, earth, and stone. Rich, balanced, concentrated, grippy mouth feel, with notes of blackcherry jam, cocoa bean and leather. Tannins are now softer and more delightful on the the palate. Finish is tasty but rather short.

11/28/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

It took quite some time for the 2003 Lafite to open up. But lord, how beautiful and classy this is! Deep, soft, complex bouquet filled with dark cherries, flowers, graphite, earth, ridiculously captivating. Palate is wonderfully balanced, almost flawless, elegant mouth feel with silky texture, extremely fine tannins and good amount of acidity. Many 2003 wines are not for the long haul, but this one is exception, and it will please drinkers for many many years. What a beauty!

11/28/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Always a joy drinking this wonderful Montrose. No sign of over ripeness or cooked flavor, St Estephe got thru the 2003 hot vintage well and produced high quality wines indeed. Dark purple in color, seductive bouquet of dark cherry, floral, graphite, cigar and fresh mint. This bottle appears just a touch lighter than the previous one, but still excellent, with great concentration and richness, velvety texture followed by juicy fruits, coffee and mushroom. Long finish as usual and truly enjoyable. However, this time, it comes up against a true star, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild. No competition needed, just pricelss memory of drinking two splendid wines.

11/22/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Altaya annual wine tasting (Hong Kong): This young Beaucastel has a surprisingly nice showing at such primary stage. Rich fruits, sweet spices, with solid backbone that signals long life ahead. Wonderful palate that's balanced and grippy, sweet tannins, juicy fruits and lifting acidity. Very enjoyable.

11/22/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Altaya annual wine tasting (Hong Kong): Inky dark, impenerable. Nose is a bit tight, but one can sense the depth and richness within. Loads of black elements, ripe currants, coffee beans, black licorice, wet earth, oak and hint of methol. Powerful, massive palate, with intensity and richness. Full bodied and lush mouth feel. Time will tell the greatness of this wine, but not a whole of fun drinking it right now or in the next 5-10 years.

11/22/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Altaya annual wine tasting (Hong Kong): Simply amazing. First time ever got taste a Jacques Perrin, and it's nothing short of amazing. Complex aromas with abundance of red fruits, earth, minerals, flowers, peppery spice, autume leaves and some oak. Palate reveals its young age, with ultra fine tannins and acidity, will certainly add some weight with cellaring and come together nicely. Everlasting finish seems to last forever. Brilliant.

11/22/2014 - Cheungtp wrote:

Altaya annual wine tasting (Hong Kong): A nice showing from personal favorite appellation Pomerol. The wine shows some tightness at the moment, muted nose with dark fruits, cocoa, spices and oak. But palate is a treat, ripe fruits, rich, plush mouth feel, very fine tannins, with power and gentleness, with good length. An excellent wine.

11/22/2014 - Cheungtp wrote:

Altaya annual wine tasting (Hong Kong): Delicious wine with good fruits, cigar box, sweet cassis and licorice. The 2003 LLC appears to be quite generous and welcoming, medium/full bodied with silky texture. Really enjoyed the wine, yet it lacks a bit of the usual masculine LLC character to make it truly memorable.

11/22/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Altaya annual wine tasting (Hong Kong): Primary beauty, with a seductive bouquet of flowers, black and blue fruits, truffle and coffee beans. Strong, clear backbones, but the elegant touches of Palmer remains and what a joy to drink. A beauty in the making. If only it can be more affordable.

11/22/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Altaya annual wine tasting (Hong Kong): Opaque, dark purple, with a muted nose at the current stage. Perhaps the wine is in its sleeping mode now. But the potential of this gem is unquestionable and it will be fantastic. With effort, dark sweet fruits, cassis, cedar, forest floor and mint are noted on the nose. And the palate, wow, big, rich, tannic, yet supremely balanced with fruit, acidity and silky texture. Finish is long and packed with plum and smoke. It will be a long while before this wine wakes up, and when it does drinkers will definitely be all smiles.

11/22/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Altaya annual wine tasting (Hong Kong): Rich, dense, pack with delicious fruits, refreshing acidity and fine tannins. It has all the right ingredients, and it will be a wonderful treat in the later years. Not sure if it was the bottle was opened for a period of time, but it didn't taste like some of those big 2010 monsters that's so powerful and will take a long time to soften up. The Troplong Mondot was balanced and generous, one you'd like to keep drinking and enjoy. Excellent wine.

11/27/2014 - Cheungtp wrote:

A revisit to the 04 GPL. Unfortunately didn't get time to decant this time and the enjoyment is slightly lower than the previous time. But this wine is well make and value for money in today's market place. Dark profile, with traditional Paulliac nose of cassis, cedar, cigar and currants. Medium bodied palate, has gotten rounder, nicely balanced red fruits and tobacco in the mixture. Tannins are approachable and getting soft. Unlikely to make old bones, but will be in nice drinking window for the next decade.

10/10/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

A Night Out with Ch.Cos d'Estournel (Metropolitan wine cellar, HK): A lovely matured Cos, and the nose is just impeccable. Pure and clean, fruit still remains, mainly red fruits. I thought it casts a similar profile as the 96, but the 96 sports more energy and holds your attention more deeply. Nevertheless, the 89 Cos is a beauty in itself and drinks wonderfully, old leather, cigar smoke and mushroom are very comforting. What a nice wrap up to an enjoyable dinner with delicious food and beautiful wines from Cos.

10/10/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

A Night Out with Ch.Cos d'Estournel (Metropolitan wine cellar, HK): The 96 Cos is at a beautiful place. Possessing a slight matured look, clear ruby with light browning at the rim. Mesmerizing bouquet captures you with dark fruit, coffee bean, earth, spice box, herbal leaves and mint. Palate is exquisite, focus and casting a masculine feel, energetic, yet not overpowering, you'll pleasantly enjoy the smoothness and velvet texture on display. Acidity and softened tannins are giving the wine a pleasant lift. Finishing is long, tobacco, red fruit and burnt leather notes seem to last forever. My vote for WOTN. Excellent