Elio Perrone Moscato d'Asti Sourgal 2010

Hot pot at Von's. Told by Chris Lai that Asti goes great with Octopus balls. Hence, we had a try out.   

Name of Wine: Elio Perrone Moscato d'Asti SourgalVintage: 2010Country/ Region: Italy»Piemonte»AstiRemarks:   a note of mustard flower (had been open a while). It's richly flavored with sweet, honeyed peach, nectarine, other citrus. Juicy and bright. Really tasty and fresh! 5% acidity only. not as much sparks as i expected tho. 

Rating: 89/100 (MY)  

Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne 2000

Christina and Dr. Lau's 24th year anniversary dinner at Ah Yat, TST. 

Name of Wine: Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne

Vintage: 2000

Country/ Region: France

Remarks:  light golden colour. strong and energetic sparks. Almost skily smooth. A complete Champagne with excellent stone fruit essence; lacy and lush on the palate; focused and well-balanced; a stunner by any measurement of marquee wines; a great experience. Best Brut drunken so far. 

Rating: 92/100 (MY)  91/100 (RP)

Cape Crest Te Mata Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Christina and Dr. Lau's 24th year anniversary dinner at Ah Yat, TST. 

Name of Wine: Cape Crest Te Mata Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Vintage: 2009

Country/ Region: NZ, Cape Crest

Remarks:  light golden colour. Nice and complex on the nose with guava, pear and mineral tones, with some toast. Palate was fruity with stone fruit and citrus, but also showing the hints of oak. Good length on the finish with nice acidity. Very interesting. nice tannins (see pics) but taste and smell fade after 40 minutes. 

Rating: 86/100 (MY)  89/100 (RP)

Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Happy hour at the Upper House Cafe Gray with Karen, Yvonne and Anthony. Nothing interested me on the wine list other than this wine from Napa Valley. 

Name of Wine: Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage: 2009

Country/ Region: US, CA, Napa Valley

Remarks:  Intense dark purple color.

Nose: Complex dark berries, cassis and big oak on the nose. 
Taste: well structured and balanced. Big tannins that will smooth out over time. Blackberry and black currant on the palate w smokey oak. Delicate finish but not long lasting. Light notes of dark chocolate.

Rating: 88/100 (MY)  89/100 (RS)

Lawry's Private Label Cabernet Sauvignon

Dinner at The Lawry's to celebrate 7 years 8 months with Yvonne.  Was recommended the private label wines. I chose the Cabernet Sauvignon which is a good paring for roast beef. 

Name of Wine: Lawry's Private Label Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage: ?

Country/ Region: US, CA

Remarks:  Not those typical house wines you would expect. Rutherford Wine Company has long been recognised as a consistently producing high quality, high value private label wine vendor. Nose: Blackcurrant and a hint of plums. Eye: Dark Ruby. Taste: Medium body with strong tannins. very well balanced with blackcurrant, plums and cherry in the build up. not very strong on the finish. a little sweet.  Very good paring with roast beef. Excellent wine overall. HK$350 per bottle. 

Rating: 88/100 (MY) 

Santa Cristina Antinori Chianti Superiore 2008

Dinner at Craftsteak. pairing with sirlons. 

Name of Wine: Santa Cristina Antinori Chianti Superiore

Vintage: 2008

Country/ Region: Italy > Tuscany > Chianti

Remarks:  Ruby red in colour; on the nose, intense bouquet ofmature fruits; on the palate well structured, harmonious, soft and very pleasing. not complex enough on the finish . intense rasberry, depth, and smooth finish make this a very good choice. Good value. in fact, it was voted the best value old world wine by WS. 

Rating: 87/100 (MY) 

Berrys' Sauternes 2005

Name of Wine: Berrys' Sauternes 

Vintage: 2005

Country/ Region: France > Bordeaux > Barsac ( i was told that the Royal Family in Uk bought the vineyard in Barsac.)

Remarks:  A terrific, fine, perfumed nose with a lifting touch of botrytis acts as the impressive entrée for a wonderfully pure Sauternes of extraordinary length. You can feel the smooth liquid swirling inside your mouth and there is a right balance of sweetness. More than a desert wine for me. Suitable for fore gras too. HK$ 130 for 0.375 L. 

Rating: 89/100 (MY)