Perrier-Jouet Blanc de Blancs

Lunch at Gastro Esthetics at DaDong in Beijing.

Perrier-Jouët Blanc de Blancs, dégorgée le 31 Juillet 2023 - good acidity balance on the palate.

Full post on lunch is here.

Chinese wines with Sichuanese food

Dinner at Chef 1996 Restaurant in Beijing.

2022 Petit Mont Baima Snow Mountain Yanjing (寸山白马雪山盐井) - OK la... this opened up after a while, showing some nice fruit, some forest notes, and maybe even a hint of coffee later.

2024 The Four Girls Mountain Chardonnay Selection (四姑娘山霞多丽臻選) - lots of vanilla and oak on the nose, along with flint and stone fruits. A little sharp and alcoholic on the nose. Got decent acidity on the palate.

1996 Wuliangye (五粮液) - very smooth on the palate. Still got that classic baijiu profile on the nose.

89 Lang Jiu (郎酒) - there was more umami on the palate, more like Shaoxing, with plummy and fermented flavors.

2023 Clos Mao Shuó Lin (说林) - definitely more rustic on the nose, reflecting the cabernet franc. Still very tannic on the palate.

2018 Célèbre Red (寶莊) - tons of vanilla oak on the nose, ripe and jammy.

2020 Lapu Valley Vidal Golden Ice Wine (藏云谷威代尔冰酒) - very floral with lots of honey.

Full post on dinner is here.

Chinese bistro wines

Supper at Bistro Strong in Beijing.

Henri Giraud MV20, dégorgée le 17 Fevrier 2025 - pretty nice and yeasty nose. Can't go wrong with this.

2023 Yunling Strong White (2023 云翎壮壮干白) - there was some fragrance here, but overall it was pretty muted on the nose.

2023 Canaan Chapter and Verse Master Riesling Sweet (2023迦南诗百篇特选甜型雷司令) - the nose was kinda interesting, floral with lychee notes, but also a bit sharp on the nose like acetone. Maybe this was just too young. Has shades of Trimbach but nowhere near as lovely.

Full post on supper is here.

Chavost Rosé

Drinking at home.

Chavost Rosé de Saignée - nose was incredibly bubble gum and candy-like, with red fruits like cranberries. Sweet on the nose, with decent depth on the palate, but kinda soft on the finish. This was a very happy wine, evoking joy from the drinker. Not a "serious" wine, but just happy. Got a little bit more serious starting with the second pour, though.

Bought from Thatcher's for USD 97.

Shirataki Seven

Dinner at Jan Jan Kushikatsu.

Shirataki Seven Junmai Daiginjo 25% Polished (白瀧 SEVEN 純米大吟醸 原酒 越淡麗25%精米), 2024 - served only slightly chilled. Soft on the palate but also had a dry finish.

2020 Cossard Saint Romain

Drinking at home.

2020 Domaine de Chassorney Saint-Romain Sous Roche - started drinking 40 minutes after opening. Really fruity nose with blackberries, blackcurrant, and leather. A bit farmy and definitely bongwater. Later on showing some strawberries on the nose, too.

2007 Lodovico

Dinner at home in Taipei.

2007 Biserno Lodovico - started drinking 15 minutes after decanting. Nose of black fruits, a little bit of leather, and a hint of sharp alcohol. After 1½ hours with the third pour this was really sweet on the palate.

Bought from Mayfair for HKD 1,980.

Haut Condissas and La Butte

Dinner at a friend's home.

2020 Domaine de la Butte Bourgueil Le Haut de la Butte - served 1 hour after opening. This was more smoky than expected, with leather notes. After 3½ hours there were more black fruits showing.

2009 Haut Condissas Prestige, en magnum - started serving 25 minutes after decanting. Surprisingly there was a lot of coconut butter on the nose along with black fruits. Another 20 minutes in there were lots of sweet fruits.

Bought from the château for EUR 50 plus shipping.