The Merit of Inventory?

Old memories would surface every now and then. Most people now probably feel that the idea of the “millennium bug” an exaggeration. But a fair proportion of us took that quite seriously in the late 90’s, and one suggestion was to stock up at home some quantity of all the essential goods, things like staple food, water, soap, toilet paper, batteries and so on should the entire world come to a standstill as all the computers would stop functioning when 23:59 of 31/12/1999 transitioned into 00:00 01/01/2000. Even governments didn’t take the matter lightly with, for example, 13,000 Canadian troops being put on stand-by. Along a similar line, the writer-economist Tim Hartford

mentioned preparing a “Brexit cupboard” in anticipation of chaos when the UK uncoupled itself from the EU. Both were meant to prepare oneself to better face a “what if” situation although now with the benefit of hindsight, the actions must be deemed total over-reactions.

Indeed, your truly would venture to say almost all recent teachings condemn stocking up as a reflection of poor management, an action that will tie up financial resources, taking up valuable space, and nothing more than a “substitution” process. Companies surely must adopt lean practices, use data to build hypothesis and make forecasts of demand. Inventory must be just-in-time and so on.

But what lesson have we learned after the experience of hardly able to find enough surgical face masks when Covid hit the World a few years ago? And the inflation because of sky-rocketing energy prices as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict? Do we rather hope we had the vision of stockpiling some medical goods and oil? Yours truly is no expert in supply chain management to draw conclusions here but merely invite more discussions on the subject. Of course there are also those objects that have proven to appreciate with time, good wines being one such thing.

And talking about wines, we would like to recommend the following latest additions into our list:

2006 Deutz Cuvee William Deutz (VN95 at HK$1,000/bottle) – A good champagne out of mostly the Pinot Noir grape varietal, one that captures the weight, power and freshness with layered fruits and a resonant, substantial finish.

2018 Jules Desjourneys Pouilly-Fuisse Vignes Blanches (WA95+ at HK$700/bottle) – Notes of crisp stone fruit, pear, freshly baked bread, white flowers and almonds are the major elements of the nose of this very good and inexpensive Burgundy white. It is medium to full-bodied and with a chiseled structure, giving a long, intensely mineral finish.

2008 Bellevue Mondot (RP95+ at HK$900/bottle) – Massive Bordeaux red blend of 90/10 Merlot/Cabernet Franc out of 50-year old vines, it is full of black currants, sweet cherries, licorice and toast. Not easily to find in the market because of its small production.

2016 Lagrange (WA95 at HK$450/bottle) – We are re-stocking this popular Bordeaux red that possesses an aroma with notions of violets, cassis, black plum, Black Forest cake and cedar. Medium to full bodied, it is quite approachable at this young age with its ripe and fine-grained tannins, finishing long and layered.

2012 Domaine de la Vougeraie Bonnes Mares Grand Cru (WA97 at HK$3,000/bottle) – Excellent Burgundy red offering a nose of black cherry and raspberry fruit infused with a touch of menthol, its palate is that of medium-bodied, very elegant, even sensual and almost opulent in the mouth. This one is right up there with the Roumier and de Vogue’s in terms of quality but at a fraction of those prices.

2015 Alain Voge Cornas Vieille Vignes (WA95 at HK$550) – From the Northern Rhone of France out of old vines, this is a rich, deep and layered red with big dark berries, plum, spice, brown sugar, and roast meat. There are tannins which by now becoming more supple and quite approachable. Lingering finish.

2015 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino (WA95+ at HK$350/bottle) – A good valued Italian red showing a lively bouquet that is already singing despite the relatively young age. There are wild cherries, earth, spice, medicinal herbs and a pretty floral character in its aromas.

2020 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet-Shiraz (WA96 at HK$380/bottle) – An almost 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blend from this well known Australian winery, a medium to full-bodied red with polished tannins imbued with notions of graphite, black tea, licorice within the black fruits. A worthy member among the very big range of Penfolds offerings, with some affectionately calling it the Baby Grange.

2018 Mount Mary Quintet (JS99 at HK$620) – We are able to get our hands on this single vineyard Australian red made in the composition of a Bordeaux blend at a great price. The wine has abundant red and dark berries, cedar, cocoa and violet-like floral notes. The palate has such expressiveness of the vibrant fruits in perfect unison with faultlessly fine tannins. The greatest Quintet ever?

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.