What to make of 2022?

There are different perspectives of looking at the Year 2022. Wine enthusiasts who are well stocked could be smiling as they expect further price hike after seeing the biggest jump for years in 2021, with Champagnes leading the way registering an average 35% increase YOY. Those low in inventory may feel nervous as they see prices continue up-trending.

We are thinking of it being the tenth anniversary of the 2012 vintage. It is also customary for wine critics to do another round of thorough tasting across the board to assess how the wines have evolved as many are beginning to become more mature. For Bordeaux (actually most wine regions across the entire Europe too), 2012 did not initially sound a promising vintage because of the appalling weather in the growing season. Yield from the vines were low and maturity uneven. Many said it to be a real test for the vintners. Indeed when tastings were done from barrel samples in Spring of 2013, sentiments were not overwhelmingly good. Estates therefore set prices at a relatively modest level.

It is interesting however to see most of the Bordeaux reds had actually turned out good, often improved in the subsequent few years and we offer here the ratings by Robert Parker as examples:

Wine	Sub-region	​RP 2013	RP 2015
Clinet	Pomerol	​92-94	95
Clos Fourtet	St-Emilion	93-95	​95
Gazin	Pomerol	93-95	95
Haut-Brion	Pessac-Leognan	93-95	98
Hosanna	Pomerol	94-96	97
d'Issan	Margaux	87-89	95
Larcis Ducasse	St-Emilion	93-95	95
Ch. Margaux	Margaux	92-94	95
La Mission Haut-Brion	Pessac-Leognan	91-94	97
Palmer	Cantenac-Margaux	92-95	96
Pape Clement	Pessac-Leognan	92-95	97
Smith Haut-Lafite	Pessac-Leognan	92-94	95
Troplong-Mondot	St-Emilion	94-96	96

As these wines further mature, we won’t be surprised at all if some get even better ratings when the critics do their 10-year review in a few months’ time. We like 2012 Bordeaux also because most are quite approachable already. It may not be a bad idea to stock up some now when their prices are still relatively reasonable. And we currently have:

2012 La Fleur de Bouard – rated RP92 at HK$260/bottle

2012 Clos Fourtet – rated RP95 at HK$820/bottle

2012 Hosanna – rated RP96 at HK$1,300/bottle

2012 Ch. Latour – rated WA96 at HK$4,100/bottle

2012 La Mission Haut-Brion – rated RP96 at HK$1,780/bottle

2012 Palmer – rated RP96 at HK$1,950/bottle

2012 Troplong-Mondot – rated RP96 at HK$730/bottle

And arriving next week:

2012 Belair-Monange – rated RP96 at HK$730/bottle

2012 Pape Clement – rated RP97 at HK$750/bottle

2012 Smith Haut-Lafitte – rated RP95 at HK$720/bottle

In addition, here are a few highlights of our other additions recently:

2018 Petrolo Torrione (JS95 at HK$210/bottle) – First of all, a good Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merot blend by a well-known producer from Tuscany of Italy, with a heart on the label for its 2018 vintage (see picture above). What could be more appropriate as Valentine’s Day is approaching?!!! As we have very limited quantity, you can only buy one bottle while stock lasts, and priority will be given to those who buy a bottle of something else.

2007 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rose (WA96 at HK$1,250/bottle) – Rose typically commands quite a premium over its white sibling but the one from this reputable house looks reasonably priced. Medium to full bodied, the wine offers a complex bouquet of blood orange, minty raspberry, red plums and dried flowers, with a sapid finish that keeps lingering. Another consideration for Valentine’s Day…

2017 Domaine du Roucas de St. Pierre (WA95 at HK$230/bottle) – From the Gigondas area of Rhone, this full bodied, concentrated wine offers exceptional balance with aromas of rose petals, herbal tea, red raspberries and stone fruits. Definitively something good and not to be judged by its humble price!

2018 Jean Paul Brun Grille Midi Fleurie (WA95 at HK$250/bottle) – From the Beaujolais region of France, this is a striking wine with complex aromas of black raspberries, rose petals, violets, and smoked meat. It is medium to full bodied with velvety tannins and concluding with a long finish.

2016 Rauzan-Segla (WA97 at HK$720/bottle) – A Bordeaux estate in the Margaux sub-region with the same owner as the great fashion house Chanel offers its 2016 vintage that is the highest rated for some time. Deep garnet-purple in colour, the wine drifts effortlessly from the glass with fragrant floral notes, tea, scents of chocolate and tobacco on top of the core of black fruits. Medium to full bodied, it delivers a great mid palate of soft texture and a refreshing lift on the finish.

Thank you for reading. Purchases can be made through the website or by sending us an e-mail or simply WhatsApp 9195-7383.