Penfolds and Clos Mimi

Dinner at Neighborhood.

Egly-Ouriet Brut Rosé Grand Cru, dégorgée en Novembre 2014 - this has some nice age to it, so it's got plenty of complexity and that savory profile I love so much. Such a treat.

1981 Penfolds Grange, re-corked August 22, 2025 - this was the bottle that was deemed "sub-standard" at the Penfolds Re-corking Clinic, so I figured I'd bring it out and drink it with a couple of Grange lovers. We opened it and decanted it after about 30 minutes, and the nose was definitely still pretty fragrant, with plenty of coconut butter I love so much.

Bought from Sotheby's for HKD 3,100.

2023 Yukidoke Shonai Blanc, from half-bottle - a curious blend of about a dozen grape varietals. In addition to the main ones like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling, there was also Gewurztraminer... which explained why it was so tropical with prominent lychee notes. Very ripe and very sweet on the palate.

2003 Clos Mimi Syrah Brave Oak Vineyard - this has clearly aged and mellowed, and no longer as vibrant as it was in its youth. A little disappointing, to be honest.

Bought from the winery for USD 50 plus tax.

Full post on dinner is here.

2004 Turley Dusi

Drinking at home.

2004 Turley Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard - first whiff of the nose showed the alcohol was a little sharp, which wasn't too much of a surprise. The nose was very sweet, almost jammy, with black cherries notes. Lovely fragrance like sandalwood, and lots of spices. The palate was a little savory some 30 minutes after opening, but the acidity was also showing. In its 20th year, the wine was still full-bodied, and while the tannins have surely softened, this was by no means a light-bodied wine.

2016 Justification

Dinner at home in Taipei.

2016 Justin Justification - very ripe, very sweet. Heavy notes of grilled meats, and lots of pine needle.

2004 Turley Dusi

Drinking at home.

2004 Turley Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard - started drinking 20 minutes after decanting. Alcoholic, a little punchy, acidity was higher than expected. Ripe fruit along with acidity like stewed prunes. Drinking well 3 hours after decanting, showing fragrant spices.

Alcoholic Californians

Dinner at the Press Room.

2008 Sans Liege Côtes-du-Coast - an interesting blend of the three principal Rhone white varietals - Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne. The young wine was incredibly fresh and floral, with minerality, sweetness, tropical fruits that smelled like a piña colada. It was very ripe and a little hot on the finish, as the back of my throat gets a little singed by the 15.4%. A very nice wine to drink, and very affordable.

2008 George Vintage VI Pinot Noir Ceremonial Vineyard - this was my third time tasting wines from George, and I really love their wines. Tons of strawberries, along with some candy, herbs, bacon fat and farmy notes... This was the lightweight of the evening, coming in at 14.1%.

2000 Clos Mimi Syrah Bunny Slope - I love the wines from Clos Mimi, coz they are so out there. I double-decanted the wine in the office, and it was just opening up after 4 hours, so it wasn't as good as I had hoped. It was typical of the Californian Syrahs that I tend to buy - really huge nose of iron, rust and minerals on top of the fruit, plus some herbs and pine needles. This wine comes out swinging at 15%, and as with past experience may actually taste better the next day...

Full post on dinner is here.

Good/bad pairing with Thai food

Dinner at a friend's house.

Moët & Chandon - as I expected the carbonation from the bubbly only served to turn up the heat that was already dancing on my tongue...  Not a good combo with spicy Thai food.

1999 Selbach-Oster Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese - this was exactly the wine to do the trick. This off-dry wine from the famous vineyard in Mosel always delivers, showing typical petrol, polyurethane, minerals as well as orange marmalade. The low alcohol level (8.5%) and relatively high sugar level helped neutralize the heat.

2003 Clos Mimi Etiquette Rose - this is a wine unlike any other. The late-harvest Syrah is vinified dry with an extended fermentation, resulting in an incredible 19% alcohol. It was this high alcohol level that worried me...as it may completely clash with the spicy food. Well, my fears kinda came true.  Whatever this is, the Etiquette Rose is not a food wine in my opinion. Predictably it was very "hot" and alcoholic on the palate, with notes of acetone, floral/rose, strawberries, slightly metallic and a hint of caramelized sugar. The finish is decidedly bitter. I quickly realized that I was the only one at the table still drinking the wine. I think I'll follow winemaker Tim Spear's advice and open the next bottle with a cigar...

Full post on dinner is here.

Last day in San Fran

2007 Barrel 27 High on the Hog - drank over lunch at Boulevard in San Francisco.  This was a Rhone-blend with Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne. The wine was a bit cold so the nose was very light, with only a bit of oak and lemon. Sweet and hot on the palate with a bitter, long finish. Not very impressed.

2005 Guigal Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc - drank over dinner at Bistro Boudin in San Francisco. Way too cold, and showed nothing in the nose.

Full post on the meals is here.