6/16/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Perhaps expectation was rather high on the '96 vintage, thus came out with a fair bit of disappointment this time. Ageing sign was apparent with clear pinkish rim. The bouquet was lacking strength to it, blueberry, herbs, dark coffee, burnt wood notes took some coaxing to show up. On the palate, the spine of the wine was solid, though it seems tannins and acidity have out-lived the fruits. In fact, fruits were very difficult to find, on the nose or palate. Thought '96 should be maturing slowly and many of those primary notes would be there and give the wine an attractive appeal. Yet they are missing. Disappointed because a '95 bottle tried recently had a much stronger, complexed showing than this one. Hoping the next bottle will turn my head around.

8/16/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

A very nice bottle, though still quite young, it's drinking very well right now. There are aromas of blackberry, cigar box, licorice, cedar, earth and hints of barnyard and crushed stone. Very good nose. Although palate is a bit tight, it exhibits creamy texture with notes of tobacco and red cherry, mid-palate is a bit thin. Not as tannic as originally thought, round and polished, though the finish does carry a sense of heat and bitterness. The wine is at a good place right now, yet can develop further with some more time in the cellar.

5/18/2013 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Birthday dinner gathering with 2003 wines (Hong Kong): This wine is simply beautiful. Great profile, dark ruby with no ageing sign at all, long legs. Bouquet is seductive and complex, layers of dark/red fruits, cassis, earth, stone and cigar. Rich, dense, concentrated mouth feel with juicy fruits, licorice, minerals and hint of oak. Jeff Leve once said you can drink or eat it, if you try a bottle of this, you'd know why. Delicious tannins, round, subtle, complimented by a long long finish filled with jam and tobacco leaf. The best is still to come for the 2003 Montrose. Stunning!

7/19/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

A beautifully aged Bordeaux that offers immense drinking pleasure, which many CT tasters seem to agree on. The attraction begins with the first pour, gorgeous clear ruby color, follows up with aromatics of red fruits, graphite, tobacco leaf, spice and bit of leather, awesome stuff. Medium mouth feel that is pure and clean, fruity notes still remain, plus bitter tea leaf and earth. Tannins are all softened up, and finish is long lasting. This is at its peak and definitely worth trying and enjoy.

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.

2/27/2014 - Cheungtp wrote:

Montrose tasting with Herve Berland (HK Wine Vault): The 2008 Montrose is a very good one, but trying it after the 2010 and 2005 vintages certainly make it appear a notch below. Dark ruby, aromatics of fresh red fruits, spice, licorice, hint of mint and floral. Not as complex or deep as the other two vintages, but most approachable among the three and very pleasant. Medium mouth feel, red fruit dominated palate with notes of tobacco and orange zest. Tannins are not intruding, but carries a slight greenish note. Alcohol note seems a bit disjointed and can use some time to integrate.

5/18/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Birthday dinner gathering with 2003 wines (Hong Kong): Its unfortunate that this great wine didn't show its true form tonight, seems like its not ready for business. Tight, green notes and muted fruits and smoke. On the palate, not much fruit or secondary nuances, yet rather spicy. Hope this is just an off bottle, and will have better showing next time.

7/16/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

The '96 LLC has the look, feel and taste of a much younger wine. It possesses all the quality aspects to age and develop into a spectacular wine some many years down the road. The masculine structure, depth, and impeccable balance will leave you with no doubt of that. At the current stage, nose is light, with notes of currants, graphite, spice and wet earth. Palate probably is the highlight right now, with incredible balance and structure that will light up your senses. Let this one rest, and you will be rewarded.

6/2/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Although the claret still maintains a healthy ruby appearance, and notes of coffee, flowers, red fruits and tobacco, it likely has passed its prime drinking window. Tannins seem fully resolved, and losing the balance, with acidity runs higher than desired. Maybe it's time to consider drinking up.

3/22/2014 - Cheungtp wrote:

A young Lascombes, but quite approachable. Deep purple in color, aromas of cassis, raspberry, licorice and oaky vanilla. Medium mouth feel, with good balance, palate is predominately red fruits based, intermixed with pepper and damp earth. Tannins are on the soft side, signaling early drinking window, short finish with plum and cigar smoke. A very pleasant drink indeed.

8/11/2013 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

First ever d'Yquem, and by far the best sweet white wine I've ever had. Gentle, seductive nose of apricot, pineapple, vanilla and a bit of citrus. It all gets even better when the golden-looking liqueour hits the palate, it's amazingly rich, superbly balanced, the spot-on acidity level is so refreshing, makes you wanna just keep sipping it. Long, refreshing finish is extremely satisfying, a crowd pleaser =)

12/7/2012 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

The one I had the day before at company dinner was so good that I had to open one of my own and enjoy it with buddies. Opened and drank over the next 3 hours. Sexy full bodied gem, dark purple. Fresh oak on the nose, chocolate, fresh grass, vanilla, spice and meaty. Soft on the palate, black currants, sweet berries, cigar box, fresh oak, tannic yet overall structure is superb and well balanced. The wine evolved brilliantly over the course of the night, gained some weight, and chewy. What a treat! Seriously gonna get more of this awesome 2003!

12/24/2012 - Cheungtp wrote:

Aerated for about 2 hours, but wasn't revealing much, only started to show more in the glass after another 30 mins or so. Still very dark ruby in color. Bonquet with iron, licorice, vanilla, blueburry and fresh florals, mint. Same elements on the palate with red plum and wet earth, plus a decent finish with tobacco and black fruits, medium/full bodied, balanced texture with sweet tannin. It actually evolved quite a bit thru out the evening and gotten chewy, velvety. It's quite good for drinking now, and certainly can get better in another 2-3 year in the cellar.

10/10/2014 - Cheungtp wrote:

A Night Out with Ch.Cos d'Estournel (Metropolitan wine cellar, HK): A young Cos, but appears to be quite approachable already, given the 2007 vintage. Bouquet largely composed of red fruit, graphite and wood, linear and missing the seductive complexity Cos displays in better vintage. Gentle mouth feel, sweet red fruit, raspberry and spice. Soft tannins with a medium finish of cigar smoke, old leather and spice. A nice Cos good to enjoy now.

3/6/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

First bottle of Rioja for myself, such a nice introduction and quite a stylish wine. Translucent red core with brown rim. Bouquet of prune, warm fruit cake, wet wood, dried herbs and a tiny bit of minty scent in the back. Light to medium mouth feel, very smooth and so easy to drink. Red cherry notes up front, with mushroom, tobacco leaf and orange peel bitterness follow, very interesting. Tannins are quite softened and with a finish of dried prune and tea leaf. A really delicious wine.

3/22/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Very delicious and appetizing. Soothing nose with notes of dried herbs, white flower, pear and bread crumb. Excellent mouth feel, with slight dryness filled with fruit and yeast notes. The acidity is really the key, just right, very nice and refreshing. A Crowd pleaser.

10/10/2013 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Casual dinner gathering with Rhone wines (小杬公菜館 Siu Lam Kung Restaurant): Young, primary, and took some time to open. Distinctive Grenache nose, sweet caramel, mint, spice, flint stone, garrigue and oak. Intense, powerful, meaty mouth feel, with candied cherry and bitter tea leaf. Tannins are dry and prominent, and the long finish is filled with smokey oak and plum meat. This wine has great substance in it and will shine brighter with more cellaring time.

3/14/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

This wine seems to have settled nicely since last time tasted over a year ago. Opaque, pitch dark in profile. Wonderfully comforting bouquet of cocoa powder, caramelized cherry, burnt leather, wet earth and peppery spice. Solidly structured and plushy mouth feel, first note on the palate is bitter dark chocolate intermixed with tobacco left. Some may think it's heavy, but if you take a piece of meat with it, you'll be smiling. Tannins are still very much apparent, yet it's soft and juicy, leading to a fulfilling finish with notes of smoke, cigar and plum meat. A very satisfying treat, though recommend to drink along with meat dish. Cheers

12/30/2012 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

First bottle and quite a treat this was. Dark ruby / purple color, almost full bodied. Opened and sat for 2+ hours, rich nose of wet earth, graphite, leather, lead pencil and meat. Soft, plush, lush on the palate, same notes on taste but with layers of spring floral and fruits, licorice, traces of oak and smoked ham. Very balanced and smooth, good depth, a big wine with high alcohol (15.5%)

4/20/2014 - Cheungtp wrote:

Gave it a good decant this time and it's a better showing. A good quality Cali cab, still possess a young profile, dark core, with aromatics of violet, blue/black fruits, iron and oaky vanilla. Structured palate, rich and deep, with chewy tannins. The alcohol note on the nose does seem to pop up every now and then. This wine has good quality, but lacking a bit of complexity among it. Maybe more bottle time will be helpful for it to soften up and integrate more.

2/23/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Beautiful deep, opaque ruby red color. Pop right out of the bottle, there's vanilla, oak, blueberry, licorice, crushed stone. Entry to the palate is smooth, with touches of smoke and strawberry, yet the tannins are quite dominant, very grippy. Length on the finish is actually quite nice, with light tobacco scent. Overall, a nice wine with good structure, but could do with a better balance.

7/6/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Dark crimson with a slight touch of pinkish rim. Soothing aromatics of red cherry, raspberry, vanilla, mint, chocolate and a hint of herbs. Well balanced mouth feel, with notes of red fruits, coffee beans and truffle. Tannins are noticeable, on the dry side but no hard edges. Tasty finish of coffee and tobacco pipe.

8/2/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Young and austere, at least at this stage. With effort, aromatics of currants, stone, menthol, cloves, flowers and oak come out, though quite light. Palate is lacking a good balance, and dominated by the chunky tannins. The acidity is there for the company, but perhaps time in the cellar is what it demands. Palate notes of smoked cherry, licorice and dark chocolate.

3/10/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Was served blind, guessed the right appellation (lucky), but completely off on the vintage year. Based on clear ruby red coloring, guessed 2001/2002. Classic nose of cigar box, smoke, dried fruit and licorice. On the palate, cherry, tobacco leaf and earthy forest floor and anise. Tannins are surprisingly soft and tasty. Medium finish with plum, herb and tobacco. This wine is delicious in its own right, but has to settled for third place with two 2009s (Lascombes and Barton) on the same table.

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.

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.

2/17/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Inky dark. With effort, aromas of blue and black fruits, nut, barnyard and meat comes out, though not truly sharp. This wine is medium/full bodied, while on the palate, it lacks balance and excitement, except muted plum, licorice and oak, and lots of hard tannins. It's gonna take a long while before this wine gets in the drinking window, hopefully it will gain some complexity along the way.

6/16/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Light golden color. Rich and dense, with notes of apricot, almond, vanilla, coconut extract, cream soda. Soft, lush mouth feel, acidity is slightly on the light side. There's caramel and cream in the finish.

5/12/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Surely its early to pop a cork, but would like to give it a go and see how the 2005 is developing. Young, but not as tight as thought it'd be. With swirling, this dark ruby claret gives out appealing aromas of purple fruits, flowers, black currants, licorice, incense, crushed tobacco leaf, and a bit of oak. If you can put aside the firm, dry tannins, there are notes of licorice, blackberry, forest floor, espresso bean and smoke on the palate. However on the second day, the tannins have softened up considerably, and the texture has gained some silkiness, much more enjoyable. If you are to open one, give it a good decant or wait a few years and let it all come together.

2/27/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Montrose tasting with Herve Berland (HK Wine Vault): Young and likely still in the resting phase, but opened rather nicely and a pleasure to try at the tasting. The dark purple gem opened up with energetic cassis, earth, cedar and mesmerizing note of rose petal, a soothing touch to a wine that's sharp and deep. Excellently balanced palate, rich texture, packed with black cherry, wood, truffle and spice. Structured tannic spine, all elements pointing towards a great wine in the future.

4/19/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Opaque, dark purple color with long legs. Young, primary with some green notes, with time, aromas of sweet currants, licorice, minerals, wet wood, earth and cream reveal themselves. Juicy attack on the palate, loads of dark and purple fruits and berries, vanilla, oak and a hint of cigar. Behind the ripe, juicy mouth feel is that big wall of tannins, firm but rather round and tasty. The wine is in its odd stage, but you can definitely feel the potential of greatness when it reaches the drinking window.

Big thanks to DP for this nice bottle.

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.

11/16/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

This light golden honey looking sweet wine is really delicious. This one is from a .75l bottle, and seems to have a younger profile than the half bottle tried last time. Soothing aromatics of honey, ripe apricot, cream bulee, and orange zest. Palate is rich, viscous, dense, although a bit light in acidity this time. Some more cellaring time would benefit it. Long finish with honey, coconut and marmalade. Delicious wrap up of a fantastic white truffle dinner.

3/21/2013 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

A relaxing evening with wines and friends (Metropolitan wine cellar, HK): This was delicious and satisfying. My first true tasting experience with sauternes, I think I can only judge this one on my overall feel of the tasting itself. Light gold color, with nose of apricot, cream bulee, honey, marmalade, fresh chrysanthemum floral, some grained coffee developed with air time. On the palate, rich, dense, sweet yet excellently balanced by the acidity, keeping it fresh and uplifting. Finish was long and filled with sweet honey and hint of coconut.

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 =)

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.

2/13/2014 - Cheungtp wrote:

Farewell wine dinner for Samson (Stanley Deli @ TST): An interesting oldy, light ruby looking claret with red fruit profile at the back. Mature bouquet of red cherry, prune, mushroom, damp earth and hint of gravel stone. Palate is rather lean and light, though acidity is nicely balance with cherry meat and tobacco notes. Quite a nice way to start off the dinner.

12/29/2012 - Cheungtp wrote:

Purple color, opaque, full bodied gem. No decant, simply drinking from the bottle over a long slow day. A young Bordeaux and still tight; however, after 3-4 hours aeration it came alive, and revealed licorice, crushed sugar, raspberry, cigar box and bacon. Silky, lush on the palate, taste of leather, blueberry, black fruits and licorice. Balanced and chewy finish of tobacco and plum, with sweet tannin, nicely integrated after 6+ hours of air.

5/18/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

The 2004 Bellevue Mondotte sports a dark inky / deep purple color profile, giving it a dark profound intrigue. Mesmerizing bouquet filled with ripe black fruits, spice, earth, espresso beans and minerality. Balanced touches on the palate, rich, plush, highly concentrated with blackberry, plum, dark chocolate and tobacco leaves, coupled with good level of acidity keeping it refreshing and juicy. Tannins are plentiful, polished, contains a slight dry edge to it. Satisfying finish with earthy, smoky and chocolaty notes.

This is one of the best 2004s I have tasted thus far, it's still very young. This wine will go places and you can sense the potential from the first sniff. Looking fwd to try it again in maybe 5 years and see what pleasure it will bring.

10/19/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Attractive appearance of dark core with ruby rim. Good nose with aroma of black fruits, cloves, chocolate, dirt, oyster shell and hint of mint. Palate is a bit weak this time, with notes of minerals and raspberry, lacking a bit of focus. The wine does have very good balancc, with nice level of acidity keeping a refreshing mouth feel. Tannins seem quite well integrated and tasty. Finish is on the short side, with jam and tobacco notes. My impression is that this is a very nice wine and drinking well right now, perhaps a bit of bottle variation this time.

9/15/2013 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

A great wine that's drinking very nicely right now. Opaque, purple in color, aromatics of floral, incense, raspberry, licorice, asian spice come out without much effort. Medium+ mouth feel, round and plush in texture, with notes of coffee bean, sweet currants, plum and hint of truffle. Solid mid palate, tasty tannins bringing a finish touch of tobacco leaf, jam and spice. This claret is at a nice place, but more bottle time will add more complexity and secondary nuances to the already delicious experience.

4/6/2013 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

A mini Palmer vertical: Opaque, purple color gem. Mesmerizing nose of floral, potpourri, violet, blackberry, cloves, wet earth, cherry liqueur, vanilla, dried leather and a hint of mint. This wine is rich both in aromas and texture, when it hits your palate, there are black fruits, truffle, dark chocolate, tobacco and tea leaf. Round, velvety, lush, prominent yet chewy tannins. Wonderful structure with just right level of acidity to keep it all fresh and balanced. Long finish with dark cocoa, espresso, tobacco and smoke. This wine can age and will certainly turn out great down the road!

8/2/2013 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

A big wine! Big nose loaded with red fruits, herbs, cream, perfume, forest floor, incense and hint of caramel, very rich and expressive. Mouth feel is rich, concentrated, full bodied and round, notes of mixed creamy berries, florals, coffee and cigar smoke. Fine tannins, medium acidity and a tiny bit of heat near the end. Long finish, with more red cherry, plum juice and tobacco scents. This big wine is surprisingly expressive and quite ready at this stage, can definitely age and improve some more, but if popping one, it's very enjoyable.

9/1/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

A hedonistic treat. Dark, inky color, with a big ripe nose of dark fruits, candied cherry, bacon fat, flowers, wood and mint. On the palate, fat, juicy, ripe, full bodied with black currants, dark chocolate, bitter tobacco chewing gum. It seems "dark" is the word describing this claret. Tannins can still use some time to soften, but no hard edges if consumed now. It very high on the alcohol level (15.5%), and personally find it slightly bothering and thus lowering the score a bit.

4/16/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Dark red with pink rim. Ripe berries, cherry liqueur, stone, incense, herbs and a hit of cinnamon on the nose, interesting yet a little short. Medium bodied, and that distinctive 2003 taste of ripe currants, licorice, raspberry, tea leaf, not much of secondary nuances, only some dark cocoa powder in the far background. Tannins are prominent, though very round with no hard edges at all. Short finish of plum and some smoke. The wine does give out a noticeable heat feel at the finish, hopefully will get better with some more cellar time.

9/21/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Dark ruby, light rim in appreance. Minty, chocolate, floral, green pepper, rustic, cherry on the nose. Medium bodied, velvety and plush mouth feel and refreshing acidity. Balanced palate, medium bodied, with notes of red fruits, truffle. Medium finish of tobacco smoke, plum and mushroom. This wine is in the drinking window now, enjoy.

1/19/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Aerated for four hours, no decanting. Dark crimson color, with fabulous aromatics of black fruits, freshly picked berries, truffle, and a hint of mocha, the sweet floral scents give the wine a seductive feminine feel. With such a great opening, the experience on the palate took it back down a bit. Its rather light and not very concentrated, with hard press, notes of cherry, plum and jasmine tea leaf can be revealed. Tannins are firm yet tasty, and a smoky finish of tobacco ensued, but a bit short.

The bouquet is worth 91-93 pts alone, but tasting may only score 87-89. Perhaps with more aging, the experience will get much better. But with similar price tag, would rather recommend 2000 Prieure Lichine, which is wonderful.

12/14/2013 - Cheungtp wrote:

Le Pin tasting at Metro. A wine with huge price tag. Light ruby in color with some bricking at the rim. It opens up with ripe red fruits, tea, floral, minerals, spice and truffle. The best part is drinking it! Plush, velvety touches on the palate, it glides on your tongue with pure delight, and the finish is super long, brilliant, tobacco, spice and red fruit notes fill up your mouth with full force. It's certainly not a great right bank vintage, but Le Pin is outstanding in quality.

3/6/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine:

Still a very young, brilliant white with light yellow color. Nose is a bit tight, yet light, soothing aromas of pear, citrus skin and minerals are easy to spot. Splendid palate, creamy, round texture coast your mouth with ease, and the medium plus acidity provides an excellent lift and freshness. Very nicely made.

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.