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Christmas drinking

Hong Kong

Tasted December 24, 2008 - December 28, 2008 by Wrighty with 736 views

Introduction

A mix of wines over Christmas

Flight 1 - Christmas Day and Boxing Day (2 notes)

Had a glass of Champagne for breakfast but the cold killed it. Had an Oyster Bay SB, Yarra Ridge PN and D'Arenberg Late Harvest Riesling with lunch. All good and I could taste but no notes of vintage except the D'Ary was near US$20 for half a glass!

Finished off the Champagne during the day on Boxing Day and then managed to sink the d'Arenberg in the evening.

White - Sparkling
2002 Oudinot Champagne Brut Millésimé France, Champagne
91 points
Opened on Christmas day and was a little 'flat' and dull but put this down to a cold. Second day was better and it opened up throughout the day. Minerally with lemon and some lime notes. Bready yeast came to the nose later. Last glass was the best so think, as per the Decanter and WFW Champagne reviews said, it needs a little bit of time.
Red
1998 d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
89 points
This still had a lot of primary blackcurrant, almost Ribena. Alcohol came through later. Tannins have gone and there is an old world acidity but I was hoping, actually expecting, secondary notes after 10 years. OK but was hoping for more.

Flight 2 - 27th Dec - Dinner up the wine cellars (6 notes)

Dinner with Mark & Keiko, Mark & Ali, Graham and his father and Charmaine and myself. Pretty casual and bring a bottle. Had a glass of the Port when I got home.

White - Sparkling
2002 Oudinot Champagne Tradition Brut France, Champagne
89 points
This was much more approachable than the Chardonnay. Less mineral and more (obviously) blended. This was drinking OK but fairly unmemorable, would prefer to wait for the Chardonnay.
Red
2006 Montes Alpha Merlot Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley
87 points
Smokey and lacking a little fruit. The. toast on the oak masked the fruit
Red
2005 Heathcote Estate Shiraz Australia, Victoria, Central Victoria, Heathcote
88 points
Quite lean and balanced. Not outstanding but a nice balance for a Aussie Shiraz.
Red
2005 Elderton Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Merlot Ode to Lorraine Australia, South Australia, Barossa
91 points
This was pretty good and worth seeking out. Didn't take notes or remember much but quite moorish
Red
1996 Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz E & E Black Pepper Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
92 points
Is this starting to hit its end game? Soft, balanced and mellow. Secondary notes, some hints of leather and fruit had faded. Mellow is probably the best description. Two left - was planning on saving until 2016 but doubt it will last. Maybe next one in 2 to 3 years and see from there.
Red - Fortified
2000 Warre Porto Vintage Portugal, Douro, Porto
92 points
Opened on Christmas day but no notes taken. Was approachable and got a hit of Christmas cake. Still getting dried fruits, soaked in brandy. Palate is surprisingly soft, no heat or alcohol. Some tight berries and a good finish, with some spice and just a hint of heat. Lovely, but be careful, drinks easily.

Flight 3 - Bernie and Chas's annual food fest (14 notes)

The usual Christmas dinner but this year, as there's a recession we had to try and bring each course and the wine in under HK$200 a course/bottle. We were all allowed one bottle 'from the cellar' to break the bank and had to provide a sparkler, red and sweet wine.

The dom was served blind and was picked by a lot as the favourite wine.
The Glen Carlou and Barbera where served in black glasses but everyone guessed the colour and we had a couple of correct guesses for grape or location.
The reds and sweet wines were consumed a little more casually.

Notes are think as I didn't make any formal at the time so more from memory. It was a good night but next time think a little more order would be good.

Food - Chestnut and fennel soup; scallops, prawns and ousters, roasted salted salmon, 30 hour slow roasted shoulder of pork; warm centred chocolate cake; berry pavlova

White - Sparkling
N.V. Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée France, Champagne
91 points
Nothing really outstanding. Good weight and lovely finish but wasn't outstanding.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Carpenè Malvolti Prosecco di Conegliano Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Conegliano
88 points
Light fine mousse. Apples. Very approachable.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Desiderio Jeio (Bisol) Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Brut Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene
85 points
Flat and nothing much to note.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Martini Asti Spumante Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Asti Spumante
87 points
Elderflower, sweet. Actually stood up quite well, would be a good quaffer.
White - Sparkling
1998 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon France, Champagne
92 points
Started a little dumb but opened with a level of complexity.
White
2007 Glen Carlou Chardonnay South Africa, Coastal Region, Paarl
Served in black glasses alongside a barbera at cellar temp. Oak was coming through but as good as usual.
Red
2005 Castello del Poggio Barbera d'Asti Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti
Served at cellar temp in black glasses. Everyone guessed red, some wild rasberry and mushroom.
Red
1990 Chateau Takeda Japan, Tōhoku, Yamagata
88 points
Opened like a Musar; quite lean and sweet. Then added weight and more Bordeaux. Then seemed to oxidise. Brown colour. Had it's moment and a novel wine but it's expensive!
Red
2005 Palacios Remondo Rioja Propiedad Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
86 points
Red
1998 Torres Conca de Barberà Grans Muralles Spain, Catalunya, Tarragona, Conca de Barberà
87 points
This was chewy. Even after 2 hours, still chewy. Some dried currant and sticky toffee pudding. Would leave for a few more years.
White - Fortified
N.V. Bodegas Dios Baco Pedro Ximénez Oxford 1970 Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
93 points
Rich porty nose. Wonderful complex, long finish
White - Sweet/Dessert
2000 Royal Tokaji Wine Co. Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos Hungary, Tokaji
91 points
Apricot, honey. Quite lush.
White - Sweet/Dessert
2003 Ferdinand Pieroth Burg - Layer Schloß kapelle Eiswein Germany, Nahe
92 points
Satsuma, light for an Eiswein.

Closing

Started with a cold and a fairly low key holiday meant no great wine nights but a few old bottles.

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