Big bottles for birthdays

Dinner at Kiu's Kitchen.

2008 Dom Pérignon, en magnum - this was pretty classic, and already kinda ripe and rounded given some years of aging.

Krug Grande Cuvée, 170ème Édition, ID 221034 - surprisingly the nose was not too tasty, and given I haven't tasted thie edition for a couple of years, I was surprised that acidity here was higher than that from the Dom, although thankfully not to a level that felt sharp.

2021 Catena Zapata Chardonnay White Stones Adrianna Vineyard - crisp with good acidity on the palate and a long finish. Pretty nice.

2008 Bergström Pinot Noir de Lancellotti Vineyard, from magnum - the nose was very open and fragrant, with good hit of fruit like dark blueberries, along with some sweet vanilla oak. Very enjoyable.

2005 Marqués de Riscal Gran Reserva - lots of mint and eucalyptus on the nose, almost menthol, and very sweet and ripe on the nose. There was also tons of oak as well as some smoke.

2004 Peter Michael Les Pavots, from magnum - this was very ripe with lots of nice fruit, also minty and very fragrant with cedar notes. Still got some tannins on the palate after more than 20 years. Drinking well.

1996 Silver Oak Alexander Valley, from magnum - this was more smoky than Les Pavots, and also riper with more fruit and got that coconut butter. Drinking very nicely.

Bought as part of a mixed lot from Christie's for HKD 1,608.

2016 Pahlmeyer - still a little young and slightly punchy.

2022 Louis Latour Chassagne-Montrachet

1990 Climens - tons of saffron on the nose along with acetone, classic marmalade, apricot, and pretty nutty. Very sweet on the palate.

Full post on dinner is here.

Sake, rum, and Matacuy

Dinner at MONO for their Unplugged XIV, a collaboration to MAZ Tokyo.

Miolo Cuvée Tradition Brut - this is always easy to drink, with light acidity on the palate.

Kokuryu Daiginjo Ryu (黒龍 大吟醸 龍), 2024 - such a classic, with lovely, sweet and starchy rice on the nose, a little sharp with acetone and alcohol, and showing slightly fermented notes. Lovely.

2021 Jean Leon Nativa Xarel・lo - very ripe on the nose but very light on the palate.

Mater Iniciativa O Tuber - made of oxalis tuberosa or oca. This actually tasted like white wine to me. The alcohol level was not high. Slightly grippy on the palate with a short finish. Not very complex. Not particularly delicious on its own, but very interesting nevertheless.

2022 Lucien Muzard Santenay 1er Cru Beauregard - nice and oaky on the nose with plenty of coconut butter. Red currants. Rich and interesting, and a bit smoky.

2019 Zuccardi Malbec Concreto - ripe fruit and smoke on the nose. Got the concentration on the palate, but a little chalky. Not great.

Montelobos Mezcal Espadín - very classic. Got that medicinal flavor but still a little sweet on the palate and also on the finish.

Santa Teresa 1796 - so fragrant, with lovely vanilla notes and a long finish.

Distinería Andina Matacuy - really fragrant and herbal. Almost reminds of chartreuse.

Full post on dinner is here.

40-year old Napa

Dinner at the Fortune Room at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

2021 Chacra Chardonnay - a little riper on the palate than expected, but there's still decent acidity on the palate and also on the finish.

1984 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve - plenty of vanilla on the nose, but there was also a hint of dust so not the cleanest. Also got notes of leather, and the fruit seemed lightly stewed. Not bad, but also not so fresh and lively.

Bought as part of a mixed lot from Christie's for HKD 938.

1984 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - this was fresher in terms of condition, with plenty of mint, and also a little green pepper like shishito. More concentration on the palate.

Full post on dinner is here.

Takahiko and friends

Lunch at Andō.

Krug Rosé, 28éme édition, ID 123009 - very fragrant nose with lots of red fruits, so sweet on the nose with a little caramelized sugar around the edges. Good acidity on the palate with a long finish.

2021 Takahiko Yoichi-Nobori Passetoutgrain - lots of exotic spices on the nose, ripe and fruity, more like Chinese sour plum drink (酸梅湯) with a hint of savory notes. Then we got sweetness on the nose like candy and bubblegum, and the fragrance was just sooo alluring. I could totally understand why so many people love this wine.

2005 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon - very minty and smoky on the nose. A pretty nice cab.

Full post on lunch is here.

Bongwater with Italian

Dinner at Sagrantino.

2018 Jean François Ganevat Savagnin En Billat - a little toast on the nose, plus a little ripeness on the nose, but good acidity level.

2009 Chacra Pinot Noir Cincuenta y Cinco - double-decanted but stoppered for 30 minutes, then started drinking 1 hour after decanting. There was good amount of ripe fruits on the nose, but it was served a little warm at first. Very smooth now, and improved once the wine was chilled down a little.

Bought from IWM for HKD 590.

2019 Le Clos des Treilles La Décente Aux Amphores - the nose was nice and fragrant, with a little flint. Somewhat reductive, with a hint of savory, fermented notes as well as sulfur that is unmistakably bongwater. The palate was not really sweet but a bit more ripe and rounded.

Bought from Winetastic for HKD 351.

2020 Hirakawa Notre Siècle - some toasty notes on the nose, and definitely soft on the palate. Fairly easy to drink.

2003 BOND Matriarch - stoppered for 45 minutes after double-decanting, and started drinking almost 2 hours after decanting. Smoky nose with some meaty notes. Very ripe and sweet on the palate. Later on there was unmistakable nose of coconut butter as well as vanilla oak.

Bought from the winery for USD 85 plus tax.

2006 trio

Dinner at Sportful Garden Restaurant celebrating the life of a beloved dog friend.

2006 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese - nose of white flowers, getting honey and petrol on the nose. Definitely on the sweet side with some honey on the palate. Very rounded and getting viscous, but slightly bitter on the finish.

2006 Bodegas Chacra Pinot Noir Cincuenta y Cinco - pretty gamey and meaty, with a little barnyard feel.

2006 Jean-Michel Stephan Côte-Rôtie Côteaux de Tupin - definitely some floral and violet notes on the nose, a little soapy, actually... but also showing gamey notes and grilled meats. Of course, black fruits are always present for this wine. Still could feel some tannins on the palate.

Latin wine pairing

Andō x Manu lunch at Andō.

Sparkling Blood Orange Roaste Mate Tea - definitely very fruity and citrusy, but can certainly taste the mate.

Miolo Cuvée Brut - very easy-drinking. A slight hint of bitterness, decent acidity, very moussy and lively.

2021 Garzón Pinot Rosé de Corte - nose of red fruits, a little flinty. Pretty light and refreshing.

2005 Catena Alta Malbec - TONS of vanilla oak, really sweet on the nose, with notes of grilled meats. Still grippy on the palate after all these years.

Full post on lunch is here.