29th birthday party

Held a birthday party at brown and pulled out a bunch of nice wines.

1970 Léoville-Las Cases en magnum - first time opening such an old wine...and broke the cork!  The wine was a bit disappointing.  While it has completely shed its tannins due to old age and is now a soft and velvety wine, it retained no hint of fruit and I consider it very faded and less pleasurable to drink.  In this respect Parker got it right.  Probably will not spend more money on this particular vintage in the future.  There were, however, some people who liked it for the softness.  Bought from Berry Bros for HKD 2,188.

1970 Ducru-Beaucaillou - opened 2 bottles and decanted separately.  This was a much better wine, due to the stronger tannins.  It is not as faded as the Las Cases, and still retains enough fruit although clearly it is not a young wine brimming with fruit.  I prefer this to the faded Las Cases which I consider too soft.  

Bought from Ponti for HKD 1,399 each

1997 Chapoutier Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise - opened 2 half-bottles.  Very good indeed.  The strong lychee notes were immediately identifiable.  Yummy.

1996 Penfolds Koonunga Hill

1996 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon - drunk at home.  Average with the typical spiciness of Shiraz.  Bought from Watson's for HKD 95.

1992 Calon-Sègur

Dinner at brown again.

1992 Calon-Sègur - '92 was supposed to be a diluted vintage, but this still tasted medium-bodied to me.  This wasn't as open as I remembered from last time, but clearly this wine has some maturity behind it and was still fairly enjoyable.  With spicy flavors, much more drinkable with time.  Bought from Le Grappe d'Or for HKD 270.

brown's soft opening

Soft opening night for brown.

1995 Musso Barbaresco Pora - easily drinkable and a bit on the light side, but it was still fruity and sweet.  Tannins were light.  Bought from Seibu for HKD 215.

Jaboulet Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

Jaboulet Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, unknown vintage - good sweetness, with loads of lychees and some apricot.  The nose is a bit harsh and could use some softening of the glue/acetone scent.  But overall a very successful wine.  Bought from Watson's for HKD 88.

1994 Moillard Crozes-Hermitage

1994 Moillard Crozes-Hermitage - drunk at Le Tire Bouchon.  Very easy to drink, with lots of fruit hitting the palate.  Pretty good with the food.

1985 Nairac

1985 Nairac - drunk at home.  Good sweetness with lots of pineapple and citrus flavors.  Not bad.  Bought from Watson's for HKD 188.

Louis Roederer Brut Premier

NV Louis Roederer Brut Premier - drunk at home.  Bought from Watson's for HKD 269.