95 Fonsalette and 82 Ducru

Dinner at Nicholini's in Hong Kong.

1995 Fonsalette Côtes du Rhône Rouge - I wondered if this would be too young, and it was.  The tannins are still here, showing that there probably is a bit more Syrah than originally thought.  But given time it opened up pretty well, showing its potential to be a great wine in a few years.  Good concentration and full body, with lots of rich raspberry fruit.  Good finish.

Bought from Vinum for SGD 100.

1982 Ducru-Beaucaillou - opened and decanted at home about 1½ hours before dinner.  It was about 2½ hours when we first started drinking it.  After the first glass, the fruit started to show through.  Just pure fruit but subtle.  A real finesse wine.  Smooth, well-balanced, not powerful like a Mouton.  It certainly is a good wine, but not as good as the '61.  Maybe we breathed it too long?  This bottle was from dad, so maybe it had a storage problem.

1988 Suduiraut

Drinking at home.

1988 Suduiraut - not bad.  Citrus and honey notes.  A touch of caramel, plus typical botrytis, acetone.

95 Ramonet Boudriotte and 88 Mouton

Dinner at Brasserie on the Eighth in Hong Kong.

1995 Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Boudriotte Rouge - this was really good!  It was apparent to me that this was a Premier Cru, much like Chambolle-Musigny from Vogüé, as it lacked the concentration and power from a Grand Cru.  But this was clearly a good wine, with lots of red fruits and the familiar "soapy" flavor in the after palate.  Good acidity balance.  This was a good choice for the first wine, as it's easily drinkable immediately, and still opens up some more.  This was definitely a good recommendation from the shop.

Bought from Remy for HKD 363.

1988 Mouton-Rothschild - this was decanted about 1½ hours before we started drinking it.  Wow!  Classic Mouton.  The cigar and tobacco notes just came up and hit you in the face!  The sweet fruit core was initially hidden behind the smoke as well as lead pencil and mineral, coffee notes.  But when the smoke clears the fruit takes over, and what a wine!  Tannins are present but not overpowering.  Good finish.

Bought from Remy for HKD 1,499.

1996 Lindemans Limestone Ridge

Dinner at Senso in Singapore.

1996 Lindemans Limestone Ridge - very nice.  Classic Limestone Ridge.  Notes of raspberry and cotton candy.  Sweet and typical of Aussie Shiraz.  I actually can tell this was a Limestone Ridge just by taste!

1996 Drayton's Sauterne

Drinking at home.

1996 Drayton's Traditional Sauterne in half bottle - good kumquat, caramel, and apricot flavors.  Not bad.

Got this from a friend.

1996 d'Arenberg The Noble

Drinking at home.

1996 d'Arenberg Riesling The Noble