Dinner at Bing's
Tasted Saturday, December 20, 2025 by melvinyeowq with 62 views
Introduction
Bing generously hosted a wonderful home-cooked Christmas dinner and glad that the open theme turned up some interesting wines as usual. A pleasant change to have the whites to be the stars of the line-up, as the Nikolaihof, Lajibe Mansengs, Huet Cuvée Constance were my favourites along with a shockingly elegant '09 La Conseillante.
1997 Nikolaihof Riesling Fass Severin Vinothek 95 Points
Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau
Wow first time having a recently released Vinothek and very impressed. Remarkably youthful pale yellow, no petrol notes at all and slightly off-dry so I thought Alsace Pinot Gris. Slightly reticent at first but when I revisited this I was astounded at how good this was; decadently rich tropical fruit with an immense structure but with acidity to match. Up there with the '07 Trimbach CSH as the best Riesling of the year.
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2004 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia 93 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
To be honest I didn't expect anyone to bring a Tondonia white at this dinner so I was stumped by this but on reveal it made complete sense. Such a unique white with oxidative, sherry-like notes and a viscous, waxy texture without lacking freshness. Very happy to have tasted this again as this wine was transcendental when I tasted this in 2018 without much wine knowledge.
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2022 Mansengs et Compagnie Mansengs 93 Points
France, Southwest France, Jurançon Sec
My extra. Another unique wine that was a crowd favourite. A cloudy golden appearance with high acidity that would have made me guess Jura if blind, but the powerful citrus fruit gained presence with air. So much character and depth, and just as good as my previous experience with this producer. Worth the hype.
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2020 Jean-Claude Ramonet Saint-Aubin 1er Cru En Remilly Blanc 91 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Saint-Aubin 1er Cru
This was a very good wine but suffered coming after three idiosyncratic, but excellent whites. Clearly identifiable as a white Burgundy and I immediately said Ramonet Chassagne as the producer because of the signature generous (but well-managed) oak that gave some hazelnut and vanilla notes. Was telling someone who was relatively new to wine after to not be afraid of guessing since you only have to get one guess right to dine out for the rest of the night.
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2018 Emmanuel Rouget Bourgogne 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Bourgogne
Thought Burgundy but the overtly ripe, sweet fruit with a cola note made me wonder if this could be a new-world. When confirmed to be a Burgundy I thought this was a '22 Faiveley Chambolle because of the previous experiences where I thought new-school Faiveley was new-world. Decently complex wild strawberry fruit for its level but a little too brash for me.
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2010 Domaine Bertheau (Pierre et François) Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Colour was fading a little so I asked if this was advanced. When confirmed that it was, my first guess was '08 Bertheau but it was a little too masculine and blue-fruited especially with air so I ventured Ponsot or Potel instead. Very different from a lifted, red-fruited bottle that I had a couple of months back so as usual there is serious bottle variation for Bertheau.
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2015 Serafin Père et Fils Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 92 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin
After guessing masculine, dark red-fruited Gevreys with a pretty touch to be Vosnes the last couple of times I decided to guess Vosne for this.. But a friend and I instinctively guessed '15 as the vintage because of the ripe nature of the wine wasn't excessive unlike more recent warm vintages. Very impressive stuffing for a village that I thought this could even be a weak GC.
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2011 Bernard Faurie Hermitage Greffieux-Bessards Flawed
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
White capsule. My contribution. Nose showed some savoury olives with a mint note that was present in the last bottle as well, but palate was a little tired and lacked definition so will chalk this down to be a less than optimal bottle.
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2007 Antinori Solaia Flawed
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
I said this was undrinkable (because I am the only one who is impolite enough to directly point out a bad bottle) with pruney notes and zero structure that were tell-tale signs of oxidation or heat damage. When unveiled obviously everyone agreed that this was a bad bottle.
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2009 Château La Conseillante 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Wow I guessed this to be a '08 right-bank because it had so much restraint without any pyrazine notes. But when revealed to be an '09 I switched to left-bank because I thought most right-banks were Parkerized messes during this period (including this producer that I thought went to the dark side). Superb elegance and very much on the red fruit end of the spectrum. Refined tannins and showed the acidity of a cooler year.
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2003 Domaine Huet Vouvray Cuvée Constance 95 Points
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
Orange marmalade and honeyed apricot notes that made me guess Sauternes but when revealed it wasn't Sauternes it was obvious that it was a Loire (and Huet or Foreau). So rich and unctuous (but still delicate at the same time) that I thought '03 or '05 before landing on the former. Outstanding sweet as it was perfectly balanced without being cloying.
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NV A. Chauvet Champagne Grand Cru Cachet Vert Blanc de Blancs Brut 90 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
100% Chardonnay. 2022 base, disgorged April 2025. Fun bottle as the host's mum did harvest at this producer last year, a traditional, heavier style with brioche and yeasty notes but with good acidity. Serviceable apéritif.
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2014 Marc Hébrart Champagne Premier Cru Special Club 92 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
Actually brought this last night but didn't properly focus on this, so brought the leftovers today. As usual with Hebrart, rich red fruit with noticeable sweetness but still retaining freshness and balance. Very pleasurable and great QPR.
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