Valentine’s Day is approaching…

It is again that time of the year. Yours truly have mixed feelings about how Valentine’s Day is being positioned in an all too hectic world. There are those who look at it as a huge business opportunity. These are the flower shops, candy stores and restaurants who would take advantage of how one might eagerly want to show affection and therefore manage to charge something at multiple of regular prices for the occasion. You can make your judgement whether that is the basic economics theory of “supply and demand” put into practice or a mere reflection of human greed. And that also is giving some male friends an excuse of not doing anything, justifying their non-action to their respective female companion that there is no reason to be a fool to get ripped off. Very few people these days bother to write with a pen. That may sound old-fashioned but believe me, a hand-written card or note coming from mail will be more than appreciated, if anything just because that is such a rare act these days.

In any event, uncorking a bottle of nice wine the evening of February 14 and enjoying that together with your loved one will never go wrong. And on that note, we are pleased to suggest something from our list:

2012 Henriot Brut Rose Millesime (DC97 at HK$720/bottle) – A good pink champagne will surely steal her heart, and this one at such great value too.

2007 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne (WA95 at HK$1,300/bottle) – A medium to full-bodied offering from this house that is gaining more recognition every day, a Blanc de Blancs that shows a pretty bouquet reflective of lemon, lily pollen, dried white flowers and a touch of almond and chalk. Excellent depth on the palate and a precise, lengthy finish.

2018 Comtesse de Cherisey Meursault Blagny 1er Cru la Genolette (WA93 at HK$900/bottle) – A Burgundy white that offers notes of white peach, citrus blossom and lemon. Medium to full-bodied, elegantly textural and incisive, it is nicely concentrated, concluding with fine persistence.

2008 Clos de Sarpe (RP95 at HK$600/bottle) – Medium-bodied Bordeaux having a nose that is wonderfully ripe and decadent with baked plum, kirsch and Black Forest cake notions over hints of incense, grilled meat and cigar. There is incredible freshness and minerality coming through the palate, ending with a long and slightly spicy finish.

2012 La Mondotte (RP95 at HK$1,350/bottle) – Iconic opulent Bordeaux red with sweet mulberry, black cherry and cassis note, there is a full-bodied texture with stunning purity…and this vintage comparable to the more illustrious 2000, 2005, 2009 and 2010 at a fraction of those prices.

2016 Yvon Clerget Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Verseuil Monopole (WA93 at HK$650) – Such a harmonious and integrated red, with aromas of sweet wild berries, dried flowers, raw cocoa and spice. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, velvety and elegant, with good concentration and depth. Hard to find a nice Burgundy at such price level.

2013 Ghislaine-Barthod Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru les Veroilles (WA92-94 at HK$1,650/bottle) – A good name Burgundy red, with a medium-bodied palate showing very fine tannins. There is a sorbet-like freshness, very elegant and with a sense of energy that makes the wine stimulating.

2012 Le Macchiole Messorio (WA97 at HK$1,350/bottle) – This beautiful Tuscany red is drop dead gorgeous and can rival any Super Tuscans in terms of the drinking pleasure. The bouquet is redolent of red fruits, cherry, spice, tar, licorice and grilled herb. The palate is as silky as one can get. While already into its drinking window, it will continue to develop for another 15 years if not more.

2020 Massetino (WA95 at HK$2,250) – Everybody knows the great Masseto as the pinnacle of Tuscany reds and one that will easily cost you north of HK$6,000/bottle. What we are offering here is its sibling at slightly more affordable prices, and this one an extremely generous and rich wine having a bouquet stitched together with ripe blackberry, black cherry, stone, pencil shavings, sweet spice and smoke. As you drink this intense, concentrated wine, you almost feel the sunbeams of the warm vine growing season…a real treat indeed!!!

2019 Donum White Barn Reserve Pinot Noir (JS95 at HK$980) – A latest addition of a “reserve wine” in our Donum offering, this small production (144 cases only) Pinot is medium ruby in colour, with exotic aromas of oolong tea, briar and flint on the nose. The palate first focuses on red fruits, with cranberry, strawberry and cherry, then evolves to apricot and slightly woody flavours with fine-grained tannin on the finish.

2018 Ata Rangi Martinborough Pinot Noir (JS96 at HK$450/bottle) – By the lady who was awarded New Zealand Winemaker of the Year in 2019, this is a medium-bodied red carrying bright cherry fruit and a crispy texture with silky tannins and a long, refreshing finish.

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.