Monologue of a Mask

First of all…Happy New Year!!! There will soon be greetings again as Hong Kong is one of the very few places on Earth that people get to celebrate two new years, one according to the western (Gregorian) calendar and also the Chinese New Year not long after.

As your humble servant for the last three years, my mission is straight forward, and that is to offer you protection from the Covid pandemic. Indeed, I like to think I am also responsible for you not getting respiratory ailments much at all over the same period. But it has not been the wish of us fellow masks that we are often perceived as different things by different

people. Are we becoming an environmental hazard as billions of us are being disposed every day? There have been those greedy ones who took advantage of public panic at one stage and made their fortune selling us at ridiculous prices. Some ambitious and inexperienced ones lost their fortune thinking they could be opportunistic producers of masks without understanding real competition in the market. Some sectors felt that we were taking away their freedom to breathe. Even now, many look at us as a hinderance, causing discomfort or at least a boring but necessary routine. It is actually not bad when we partially hide faces. That certainly stimulate imaginations that are usually better than reality. There were some though, probably unintentional at first, becoming overly confident or ambitious, only to ruin their good perceived images when revealing themselves to the public, often with personal financial motives behind.

As Hong Kong and China are adopting a more liberal Covid protocol, the chance is that you will still need me for a while. Longer term, I certainly do not want to be something without which you can’t leave home. Right now though, please bear with me as I will quietly and diligently carry on with my duty.

Now back to wine, we would like to suggest a few things especially if you need gift ideas or just refilling your stock ahead of Chinese New Year:

2013 Vilmart Coeur de Cuvee (WA95 at HK$980/bottle) – Full-bodied, seamless and concentrated offering from a pioneer of what is now commonly referred to as the “grower champagne” movement, and one with a vine growing history dating back to 1890, it wafts from the glass with aromas of citrus oil, freshly baked bread, crisp yellow orchard fruits and white peach. A great treat without the crazy prices that are now common for many good champagnes.

2014 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc (WA95 at HK$720/bottle) – This Bordeaux white offers a very succinct and focused bouquet of green apple, flint and wet stones. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, citrus fruits dappled with white pepper and spice, but all very balanced and wonderfully persistent in the mouth. A class act!!!

2015 Domaine de Montille Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Le Cailleret (WA94 at HK$1,300/bottle) – A very strong showing by this good Burgundy domaine, this is a taut, intense white that offers aromas of toasted nuts and citrus framed by a smoky reduction. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, pure and with considerable concentration and a long, lingering finish.

2020 Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese (WA96 at HK$350/bottle) – A German sweet Riesling that is super clear, refined and fresh on the fruit intense and elegant, slightly flinty nose. Highly stimulating on the palate, this is a gorgeous and elegant wine with a crystalline, laser sharp acidity that is highly refined and carrying it to a long and intense finish.

2016 Monbousquet (JS96 at HK$480/bottle) – Very good value Bordeaux red with rambunctious scents of plum preserve, red current jelly, Black Forest cake and mocha. There is intensity and a compelling minerality on the palate, ending with a long, lively finish.

2012 Haut-Bailly (RP96 at HK$620/bottle) – Medium to full-bodied Bordeaux red with a very intense bouquet of blackberry, cedar, and a touch of lead pencil. Excellent wine that can be enjoyed and also one with good long term development potential.

2010 Grand-Puy-Lacoste (RP95 at HK$700) – Good offering from this popular Bordeaux estate, the medium to full-bodied red reveals notes of black cherries, stewed plums and blackberry preserves with hints of tapenade and dry lavender. The palate has a firm, chewy texture and lively acidity, finishing long and with a hint of tea.

2017 Robert Chevillon NSG 1er Cru Aux Chaignots (WA90-93 at HK$620/bottle) – A good value Burgundy red, one with a bursting, expressive aromas of cherries, violets, bergamot and grilled squab. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, velvety and supple with a layered structure.

2008 Sant'Antonio Lilium Est Amarone Riserva (WA96 at HK$760/bottle) – This beautiful red from the Veneto region of Italy is asserting its authority with dark, robust and concentrated aromas of prune, dried blackberry, spice, tar, ceder wood and smoke. The shorter 90 days of appassimmento allows for a more fruity and fresh expression, making this wine imposing and yet with elegance.

2002 David Arthur Elevation 1147 Cabernet Sauvignon (RP95 at HK$1,380) – This is a gorgeous California Cabernet Sauvignon that exhibits scents of crème de cassis, spring flowers, ink, graphite, plums and licorice. The superb aromas are followed by a full-bodied, opulent wine with no hard edges. It is now entering the peak of its drinking window and will maintain that for another 10-15 years.

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. And We would wish you and your family all the best for the Year of the Rabbit!!!