Art form: the view of an absolute amateur

Our apology to non-Chinese friends and readers as yours truly for the first time publish something in Chinese. Perhaps Google-translate can help? And it is not just for the sake of being different on this occasion. With limited proficiency in the language, there are real difficulties to put down the thinking in English!

上周到在香港大學校園徐展堂樓的港大藝術博物館走了一轉，藏品不算多但值得觀看，有從公元前二千多至清代的陶瓷展，有日本約二百年前的工筆畫作和一個中日竹器的工藝展覧覽。

個人對藝術認識皮毛，竹器中日手工皆精，但留意到中國的設計上多為對稱平衡，而日本則大部份是不對稱，感覺上創意更高，是博物館監理的選擇？還是真的反影兩國的不同創意理念？

和友人談及，有說日本藝術文化在歴史上深受中國影響，而畫面上的不對稱，是南宋時代的一個特徵，其代表人物是馬遠。

馬遠擅畫山水，筆下山石奇峭，樹木簡要多姿，對自然觀察詳細，寫實能力高超，布局方面則別出心裁，常常只畫一角而留大白，故有「馬一角」之稱號，後人也有認為這是南宋偏安心態的反射。

宏觀上從星球軌跡到較微觀的機械運作和容器如何發揮最大功能，都是以對稱和平衡為基礎；但人生則往往不可預測甚至不如意事 十常八九，藝術反映思維而思維多是生活經歴沉澱，故從不規則而找到和諧，似更是人生的追求和寫照！

Now back to wearing the selling hat as we list out some of our recent arrivals. Let us know if you find anything interesting.

NV Andre Clouet Un Jour de 1911 (WA96 at HK$590/bottle) – This shining golden-coloured cuvée is a great champagne that combines ripeness, complexity and finesse with intensity and elegance on both the nose and palate. It is powerful and rich yet very fine and balanced, with great freshness and complex length. It is juicy and intense but also highly delicate, and its mineral tension and persistent finish make it a first-class wine for any occasions.

2014 de Venoge Champagne des Princes (JS96 at HK$950/bottle) – Crafted entirely from Chardonnay, this small production champagne (around 5,000 cases made) displays aromas of confit lemon, spring blossoms, honey, acacia flowers and spices intertwined with delicate notes of pastry. Medium to full-bodied, round, charming and enveloping, it has good depth at the core and a long, ethereal and ripe orchard fruits-inflected finish.

2017 Domaine Rapet Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru (WA95 at HK$1,300/bottle) – The Burgundy house Rapet has produced one of its finest white. The wine opens in the glass with a classy nose of ripe lemons, green apple, white flowers and crushed chalk, framed by subtle hints of oatmeal and beeswax. On the palate, it's full-bodied, deep and layered, with excellent concentration and broad shoulders, but also promising structural tension and reserve. The long, chalky finish is penetrating and intense.

2022 Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay (WA95+ at HK$390/bottle) – By a reputable New Zealand producer, this white offers the flavours of yellow peach, apricot, golden apples, beeswax and ripe lime flesh. The flutter of acidity that feathers the fruit is compelling and alluring in its power and juiciness. An exciting, pleasurable, fleshy, complex, salty and kaleidoscopic wine indeed!!!

2020 Petit Gravet Aine (WA95-96 at HK$400/bottle) – This good value Bordeaux red has a deep garnet-purple colour, needing a little swirling to unlock profound notions of preserved plums, blackberry jam and raspberry coulis, plus hints of tar, red roses and dried Provence herbs. The medium to full-bodied palate is elegantly crafted with tightly knit black fruits and savoury layers and very fine-grained tannins, lifted with seamless freshness, finishing long and earthy. It is a wine of great restraint and with a quiet intensity that will reward the patient.

2018 Le Dome (WA97 at HK$720/bottle) – Top cuvee from the JCP Maltus portfolio, this Bordeaux red out of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot slips sensuously from the glass with beguiling scents of blackberry pie, kirsch, blueberry preserves and plum pudding, plus suggestions of menthol, rose oil, pencil shavings and fragrant earth. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers fantastic energy and freshness, featuring loads of perfumed red and black fruit layers and a firm, very finely grained texture, finishing on a lingering mineral note. Stylistically, this is one of the most elegant vintages of Le Dome.

2021 Clos Mogador Rene Barbier (WA98 at HK$520/bottle) – Aromatic, complex Spanish red with a beautiful texture, the wine has 14% alcohol and offers a palate of wet slate, graphite and aromatic herbs on top of fruits. There is freshness and the tannins are elegant, with all elements coming through very balanced.

2013 Kaesler Alte Reben Shiraz (WA95 at HK$430/bottle) – This deep garnet-purple Australian red opens out into a bold, pure, pepper and licorice-laced nose over a core of black cherries and crushed blueberries with a touch of dried herbs. Full, rich and yet with plenty of freshness, it is a wine with great concentration, nice ripe tannins and a tantalizing finish.

2008 Trapriche Malbec Vina Jorge Miralles (WA96 at HK$320/bottle) – An Argentinian single vineyard Malbec that has spent 18 months in new French oak. Succulent, layered, and opulent, this bombshell of a wine has evolved and will drink well for some years although one will have a hard time keeping his/her hands off this beauty. 

Thank you for reading. Please feel free to go to our website www.vinopolis.com.hk to browse the full wine list. Purchases can be made through the website or by sending us an e-mail or simply WhatsApp 9195-7383.