Donum making its mark again…

There are clubs and there are clubs. Some of you movie buffs may remember Woody Allen’s character in “Annie Hall” saying he would not join any club that would accept him as a member!!! Allen admitted though he was merely citing a line made much earlier by the great comedian Groucho Marx. In any event, there is a saying that in Hong Kong, the clubs really worth joining are the HK Golf Club, the HK Country Club and The Hong Kong Club. After the first ever Donum wine dinner outside of the US taking place at the HK Golf Club last year, we just did the second one at the HK Country Club last week, with Donum owner Mr. and Mrs. Warburg as guests-of-honour.

The menu offered 5 courses, each paired with a Donum wine (the 2016 Sparkling Blanc de Blancs, the 2019 Russian Valley River Estate Chardonnay, the 2018 Carneros Estate Pinot, the 2018 Three Hills Pinot and the 2019 Russian River Valley Estate Pinot). The Club staff did a fantastic job with great creativity, professionalism and service attitude. The venue was tastefully set up. Like many great winery owners before him, Mr. Warburg was invited to sign on the vault ceiling of the Club’s cellar. He was very kind to make available books and a sculpture from his personal art collection for display. Kicking off the dinner, Mr. Warburg made a short speech that was informative and witty. The event lasted for more than three hours. It was not difficult to see all the participants very much enjoying the whole experience, with Donum resonating strongly with their taste buds.

As we are the exclusive representative for Donum in Hong Kong, any of you interested to find out more about the estate and their wines are welcome to contact us.

Other than Donum, we thought you might be interested in some of the following arriving later this week:

2017 R de Rieussac (JS95 at HK$170/bottle) – Great value dry Bordeaux white from an estate with the same owner as Lafite Rothschild, it gives a very aromatic nose of cooked pears, lemon curd, peaches and stone. Powerful and rich with depth and intensity, the wine will appreciate a little time to soften its edges and then providing great drinking pleasure.

2010 Marojallia (RP95 at HK$880) – Sensational small production (15,000 bottles) red from the Margaux region of Bordeaux, it offers notes of spring flowers, licorice, pencil shavings and camphor on top of black fruits. Full bodied, intense but never losing its freshness and balance, this will drink well for another 15 years.

2008 Trotanoy (RP96 at HK$1,700/bottle) – Robert Parker remarked this to be “the greatest Trotanoy since 1998, 1982 and 1961…a legend in the making and unquestionably the vintage’s superstar”. It is a muscular wine coming from Pomerol, and its intense mineral character making for a huge potential of evolvement. Given its comparative value versus more feted years, this promises to be a vintage that will rewards consumers and collectors alike.

2014 Domaine Louis Jadot Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru (WA96 at HK$1,300/bottle) – This Burgundy red has a subtle and refined bouquet with pure red berry fruit, minerals, rose petals and orange blossom. The palate is well balanced and driven along with acidity and sufficient fruit that fans out gloriously on the finish and leaves one wanting for more. Quite simply, this is one of the finest from this popular estate. And we haven’t even mentioned it great value yet…

2015 Charles van Canneyt Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru (VN93 at HK$1,850/bottle) – Wine maker of the famous Burgundy house Domaine Hudelot-Noellat creating his own label more recently…with this one offering intensity from a core of dark red fruits, mint, sweet spice and floral notes all nicely welded together, and ending with a silky, inviting finish.

2012 Bosque des Papes Cuvee Chante le Merle VV (WA97 at HK$440/bottle) – A blockbuster from Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Southern Rhone), this red offers rich notes of cassis, cherries, chocolate, licorice and toasted spice. It has intensity, texture, depth and length but staying remarkably elegant and balanced on the palate.

2011 Garrafeira Quinta da Falorca Old Vines (WA95 at HK$350/bottle) – This Portugal red has a bit of a Burgundy feel to it. Silky and beautifully structured, it is complex in flavour with hints of stones and earth to go with the fruits and oak, supported by the wine’s acidity and freshness, making for a lingering finish.

2015 Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo (WA96 at HK$530/bottle) – One just cannot resist taking more than a few deep breaths from a glass of this Italian red as its bouquet presents a beautiful aroma of dark fruits, tobacco, leather, spice and polished stones. The mouthfeel is that of equilibrium, with the fine tannin and acidity guaranteeing longevity and development potential.

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.