It is almost a year!!!

I am 11 months old and about to have my first Christmas. The World is new to me as I am seeing different things every day, most for the first time. I hear that this is supposed to be that time of the year when people would immerse themselves in the joyful festival mood. But I can see many not really that happy, worrying about health and jobs under the atmosphere of an uncertain economy and a divided society. When travelling is not advised and indeed banned in many countries, I am not sure Santa Claus will come to deliver my Christmas present. But I am not to allow all these to ruin my mood as I have so many years ahead of me.

If I cannot go out, I want to learn more at home. I am beginning to talk, walk and appreciate music. Now that playgroups are suspended and I cannot meet my fellow babies, I want to spend more time with mum, dad, Pudding and other

loved ones in the family. Instead of outside parties, we are going to celebrate at home, with all the food and wine we can get and the excellent cooking of grandma. COVID vaccine should be coming soon. I am too young for politics but if we could all adopt a more collaborative attitude, I am sure we would see a better World. Life is only as good as one can stay positive.

The talk of a baby aside, Vinopolis hope to give you a few recommendations for the festive season. Following our introduction of the Donum Pinots from California last time, you may want to know that Oregon, with its cooler climate, also produce great Pinots for which we carry:

2017 Arterberry Maresh Old Vines (VN96) at $520/bottle – From vines planted in the 70’s, the wine offers a complex nose of red berries, cherry preserve, rose oil and smoke, a palate of seamless texture and very long and pure finish.

2017 Goodfellow Temperance Pumphouse Block (VN95) at $520/bottle – Powerful but with finesse, it conveys the perfume of red fruits, blood orange and a palate consisting of rose pastilles and spice cake flavours that deepens with airing.

2015 Belle Pente Estate Reserve (VN95) at $550/bottle – A highly complex bouquet evokes red currant, cherry with sexy Asian spices and mineral accents, finishing long with structure and grip through the flavour of raspberry, dark chocolate and fine grained tannins.

For other interesting reds, we can recommend:

2008 Clos de Sarpe (RP95) at $520/bottle – Opulent, full-bodied Bordeaux with civilized tannins, all in a very good wine at a reasonable price. Only 8,000 bottles produced.

2015 Stephane Magnien Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru (WA96) at $1,400/bottle – Offers a rich bouquet of cherries, incense, dry flowers and framed by notes of grilled meat and expresso. It is full-bodied on the palate, with lavished and velvety structuring tannins, concluding with a long and sapid finish.

2013 Casa Ferreirinha Quinta da Leda (WA95) at $430/bottle – A high-end Portuguese red made of Touriga Franca and other local grape varietals that is refined, with good concentration and serious structure.

For white and bubbles:

2016 Kante Vitovska (Decanter 96) at $250/bottle – Great valued fruity white with a silky structure out of the indigenous grape varietal Vitovska that is only available in NE Italy and across in Slovenia.

2009 Malartic Lagraviere Blanc (RP95) at $520/bottle – Seriously good Bordeaux white boasting complex notes of lemon and lime marmalade intermixed with honeysuckle and hints of fresh cut grass.

2012 Louis Roederer Vintage Brut (JS96) at $480/bottle – Pure, refined and fresh champagne by a famed estate and at reasonable price.

2008 Jacquesson 1er Cru Dizy-Corne Bautray (JS100) at $1,150/bottle – Probably the only champagne getting a 100-point rating, it offers a bouquet of citrus oil, honey and preserved rhubarb. The palate is full-bodied and multi-dimensional, ending with a long and reverberating finish. Only 5,500 bottles made. A great alternative for those who get tired of the usual suspects of popular champagne brands.

We would also encourage you to browse our website www.vinopolis.com.hk to view our full wine list. Purchases can be made through this online platform, by sending us an e-mail or just WhatsApp to 9195-7383. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and we all look forward to a better 2021.