CNY visit to HY and Jeremy's home

Mrs L and I were in Singapore for the Chinese new year, and we visited the beautiful home of our friends HY and Jeremy just off Holland Road. Jeremy is an avid drinker/collector and a veritable fount of wine knowledge. Ever the generous host, he emerged from his cellar with two beautiful wines, turning the afternoon into an unexpected vinous adventure!

• 1975 Château La Mission Haut-Brion 97 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  Just when you think you're starting to know a little bit about wine, something comes along to put your tasting skills to an unexpected test. Then you find out how much (or in my case, how little) you really know!
  
  Jeremy popped and poured this blind, with the bordeaux glasses being the only giveaway. The colour was a beautiful dark ruby with just a faint of brick at the edges. Coming right out of the cellar, it was still somewhat cold but even then the nose was a sheer bordeaux class -- with that wonderful earthy mature-leather "patina" that I've come to associate fondly with the best 1970's bordeaux. (So I guessed it was a bordeaux of either 1970 or 1975 vintage, but that was as far as I got -- and was flabbergasted when shown the cork!) On the palate, there was an amazing richness and vibrancy of the cassis and dark fruit flavours, yet at the same time it was remarkably light (almost ethereal) with almost the medium-bodied mouthfeel -- to me anyway -- of a mature burgundy. 30 minutes later, the wine took on added complexity, with that wonderful Graves minerality showing its tell-tale signature. Jeremy thought the tannin was still quite prominent, but I really didn't notice much of this, as it came across so well rounded and integrated as though achieving such beautiful balance took so little effort. In my mind, this can easily be a 50-year wine.
  
  This encounter only cements my fondness for exceptionally made, well-stored examples of 1970s bordeaux that have evolved into present-day master-classes in elegance and finesse. Instead of blowing you away, they simply leave you quietly awe-struck -- and envious of those lucky folk who still have decent quantities of these gems in their cellars!

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• 2003 Château Cheval Blanc 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Beautiful nose with floral, mineral, menthol and ripe red fruit notes. Medium to full bodied, with generous fruit and just minimal hints of toast, this wine is already showing some very nice secondary complexities. It is open and approachable, and quite fresh and balanced considering the vintage. I last tasted this 4 years ago (also from 375ml) and remember enjoying it already then -- it strikes me as having evolved and matured quite nicely since. It may not be one of the all-time great Cheval Blancs, but it is very enjoyable to drink and there is no need to wait ages

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