It is all about the weather!!!
As news unveil, there are more than 11,000 deaths resulting from the devastating storm hitting northeastern Libya on Sep/10. Earlier this month, Hong Kong had typhoon no. 10 hoisted for the first time in almost 5 years and then possibly the heaviest down pour in recorded local history, both happening within barely a week and causing extensive damages. The weather, and its unpredictability, must be occupying the mind of everybody. As one meteorology expert points out, global warming, among other phenomena, means that warmer air can hold more moisture. And once that precipitate, you can expect much heavier rainfall when compared with what happened in the past. And this is just one environmentally related challenge the Earth and its inhabitants are facing. It is sad, almost pathetic, when some political leaders seem to be more focused in engaging into intra and/or inter country conflicts rather than fostering more international collaborations on climatic issues to save our planet.
On the lighter side of things, your truly came across some literature on how the English would talk about weather, using it more as a means of greeting rather than really caring about the subject matter. Anybody interested may want to refer to writings by Jeremy Paxman, George Mikes and Bill Bryson. The anthropologist Kate Fox observes that there are protocols in English weather-talks. Rule no. 1 is “never disagree”. For example, when an Englishman starts with “Cold day, isn’t it?”, you should never say “no”. If you really don’t concur, the utmost you should respond is “At least it is not snowing!”. There is also the “weather-as-family” rule, meaning Englishmen can criticize their weather but as a foreigner, you better not (such as “we have much better weather in Australia”). This is not unlike…while some people can be critical of the behaviour of his/her own family members, he/she will feel so offended if an outsider makes the same negative remarks!!!
Anyway, back to wines. We will have the following arriving in about 10 days. Let us know via e-mail or WhatsApp if any of them interest you.
2008 Paul Bara Comtesse Maria de France (VN95 at HK$950/bottle) – A Blanc de Noir Champagne with bright floral and mineral accents, one that exudes balance and elegance, making it totally irresistible.
NV Ulysse Collin Les Maillons Blanc de Noirs V18 (WA98 at HK$2,850/bottle) – Iconic champagne house producing this elegant and vibrant version based on the 2015 vintage with some reserved wine from 2014. There is a complex aroma that reminds one of honeycomb, yellow orchard fruit, dried white flowers and almond paste. It is full-bodied, broad and incredibly deep in dimension, rounding up with a long, searingly intense finish.
2016 Domaine de la Vougeraie Vougeot Clos du Prieure Monopole Blanc (WS93 at HK$770/bottle) – This Burgundy white offers an aroma that is a mixture of smoke and toast mingled with lemon, apple and vanilla. Great balance in the mouthfeel and a long finish with minerality. Only 1,900 cases produced.
2017 Mount Eden Santa Cruz Chardonnay (WA95 at HK$550/bottle) – Expressive Napa white that has the scent of citrus, honeycomb and subtle tone of spices. The palate is satiny with ripe fruit energized by freshness and mineral character, ending with a long and uplifted finish. Less than 2,000 cases produced.
2014 Lynch-Bages (WA95 at HK$880/bottle) – 2014 may not be the strongest red Bordeaux vintage but there are hidden gems, with perhaps no better example than this one from the ever-popular estate. Full-bodied, deep and layered, with a touch of cedar, soil and vanilla on top of an abundance of black fruit, and the ripe but assertive tannins, all leading to a long and resonant finish. And we haven’t even mentioned its great value yet…
2018 Tenuta degli Dei Cavalli (VN96 at HK$260/bottle) – A Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot blend from the Tuscany area of Italy, this red is wonderfully inviting. There are silky tannins wrapping around a core of dark fruit, chocolate, spice, lavender and new leather. It is aromatic, layered and showing exceptional balance, giving such a harmony that can only be described as exquisite!!!
2015 Gaja Sori San Lorenzo (WA95 at HK$3,050/bottle) – Probably the most celebrated vineyard among all owned by Gaja, the Italian producer of the equivalent of First Growth, the 2015 Sori San Lorenzo offers a complex bouquet with dark fruit, crushed minerals and grilled herb. A very robust red in terms of structure, the drinker will be rewarded tremendously with some patience by first decanting it for a couple of hours.
2020 Gantenbein Pinot Noir (WA96 at HK$1,750/bottle) – It speaks volumes about the high regards this producer is getting as some remark it as the Romanee-Conti of Switzerland. The 2020 vintage Pinot is pure, precise and intense but absolutely balanced. The palate is full-bodied, generously juicy, refreshing and crystalline, with a tight structure that leads to an enormously long finish.
2020 Per Se Guallantary Inseparable (WA95 at HK$150/bottle) – This good valued Argentinian red is out of the Malbec grape varietal. The nose has flowers, dark fruit and notes of graphite and earth. The palate is juicy and with a balanced fine-boned structure. Only 6,000 bottles produced.
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.
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