SQN and Latour a Pomerol

Dinner at Nicholini's.

1999 Sine Qua Non The Marauder - this was very minerally and irony at first, almost like drinking blood in that sense! Nose was very sharp due to the high alcohol level. Notes of tar, cherry, red fruits. Very full-bodied, tannins firm but not harsh. Good balance overall.

Bought from FRW for GBP 100.

1982 Latour à Pomerol - this was double-decanted at home and kept soppered until serving. Pretty disappointed considering its showing last December. Nose was powerful with earthy, mineral, medicinal notes. Medium- to full-bodied. Tannins very smooth, although the after palate was a bit astringent. Not very much fruit on the nose.

Bought from Vinum.

1993 Trimbach Ribeaupierre

Dinner at a friend's home.

1993 Trimbach Gewurztraminer Cuvée des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre - I expected it to be sweeter. Maybe it suffered from heat? But in any case, nose was very floral, with hints of lychee, overpowered by minerals and petrol. toasty oak.

Bought from Berry Brothers for HKD 379.

2000 Rochioli

Brunch at Brown.

2000 Rochioli Sauvignon Blanc - very easy to drink. Nose of minerals, petrol, and oak dominated. Light-bodied. Pretty yummy.

Bought from the winery for USD 22.

MNSC dinner - Fook Lam Moon

MNSC dinner at Fook Lam Moon. Gayliao hosted.

1999 Louis Jadot Corton-Charlemagne - this was very good, full of buttery, toasty oak and minerals.

1990 L'Eglise-Clinet - this was very good. Smooth on the palate, with sweet fruit on the nose. Packs a bit of a punch.

1990 La Gaffelière - nose was very grassy pretty much throughout, with some green apples. Showed an amber rim.

1990 Angelus - very nice stuff. Powerful, full-bodied, it was showing very well. Lots of sweet fruit on the nose. Definitely the wine of the evening.

1990 Figeac - this was very good today, showing a bit of fruit on the nose as well as grilled meats.

1998 Mas de Daumas Gassac

Dinner at Liu Yuan.

1998 Mas de Daumas Gassac Rouge - this was pretty decent. Smooth and easy to drink. Classic Bordeaux cepages, but not terribly exciting to drink.

Bought from Remy.

Grosset Piccadilly

Dinner at Tsui Hang Village.

2000 Grosset Chardonnay Piccadilly - not a bad bottle. Nose of petrol, buttery, toasty oak. A bit of citrus.

Bought from Ponti.

Mont-Olivet and Turley

Dinner at a friend's home.

1990 Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet - kinda disappointed as this was a bit "cooked", or showed too much stewed fruits. Maybe it breathed too long? Maybe past its peak. But still showed classic Rhône nose and palate.

Chateau Segonnes - typical Bordeaux and not interesting.

1997 Turley Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard - very good stuff. Showed all the characters of a fruity, forward Californian zin. Very enjoyable.

1998 Casa Lapostolle

Hotpot dinner.

1998 Casa Lapostolle Merlot Cuvée Alexandre - kinda disappointing. Only a bit of fruit, mostly covered by a grassy nose which took a while to fade.

Bought from Manly.