Kistler and Parker

Dinner at Cine Citta.

Kistler Chardonnay Les Noisetieres - pretty good stuff for entry level. Crisp acidity, very refreshing.

1998 Parker Coonawarra Terra Rossa First Growth - pretty good stuff. Classic Aussie wine, showing a lot of ripe fruit. Pretty full-bodied as it is still pretty young.

Bought from Ponti.

1992 Leroy

Dinner at a friend's home.

1992 Domaine Leroy Corton-Renardes - this was not bad. Nose was very nice and open, with black cherries and stewed prunes. Body was a bit lighter, and acidity slightly higher than the '93.

Bought from Fa Lan Ke in Taipei.

Montelena and 1998 whites

Dinner at Sanjusangendo in Taipei.

1998 Blanc de Lynch-Bages - this was OK. Wasn't chilled enough before it was served, so the acidity on the palate was a bit high. Nevertheless it was a good wine.

1998 Montelena Chardonnay - better than the Lynch-Bages as it was served at the right temperature. A pleasure to drink.

1996 Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate - this was disappointing for me. Perhaps I had let it breathe too long. It had lost its fruity nose by the time we got to it. Faded and flat, boring to drink.

Lamarche and Morey

Dinner at Sabatini in Taipei.

2000 Jean-Marc Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes - this was very good. Crisp, fruity, good minerals and toasty oak. Very vibrant and lively on the palate.

1995 François Lamarche Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Chaumes - very open, drinking very well. Lots of ripe fruit in the big nose. Wow! Very enjoyable, and for such a reasonable price!

1994 Leeuwin Estate

Lunch in Singapore.

1994 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series - pretty good. Typical toasted oak, butter, and lemon zest.

Las Cases and Huet

Dinner at a friend's home.

1985 Léoville Las Cases - started drinking after 1½ hours of airing, and it was drinking beautifully. Nose was wonderful and full-blown, very smoky, with minerals, stewed fruits. With time the nose increased in sweetness. Amazing Bordeaux expressing its classic beauty.

Bought from Oaks for SGD 223.

1997 Huet Vouvray Cuvée Constance, en jennie - this was a very well-balanced wine. Not too sweet. Good acidity to balance the fat, with a creamy, buttery palate. Very strong minerals and iron on the nose, enveloping the core of pear, orange, citrus, and caramel notes. Yummy! Very complex and fine.

Bought from Farr for GBP 52.

1997 Viader and Mondavi

Dinner at Tribute.

1997 Viader - this drank well like a typical Californian from the start. However it started to show really well after 2 hours of opening, which is consistent with the last tasting... it needs a lot of time. Lots of sweet fruit, coconut, and caramel. The nose was definitely "wow!" Everyone was impressed since it evolved over time and improved.

Bought from Ponti for HKD 591.

1997 Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon To-Kalon Vineyard - this was pretty strong from the start, with nose of sweet fruit and caramel. Very smoky at first, and more of a "Bordeaux" feel. Tannins are pretty firm. Still needs time to soften up.

1990 Dom

Dinner at Brasserie on the Eighth.

1990 Moët et Chandon Cuvée Dom Pérignon - pretty good stuff. Smooth, yeasty, not too sharp, nice toasty oak.

Bought from Macau Ferry for HKD 850.