Dom and Harlan

Dinner at Pastoral in Seiyo Ginza in Tokyo.

1983 Moët et Chandon Cuvée Dom Pérignon - it was surprisingly young and crisp. Very mature and full-bodied, with loads of oak. High in acidity and not as smooth and mature as I expected. Not bad. Have to try it again.

1990 Harlan Estate - this was the first release for Harlan and now it's been 11 years. I have to say it was a little disappointing to me. The tannins are now soft and round, but the fruit wasn't really there. There was some grilled meat, a little mineral. Finish kinda short.

MNSC dinner - 1991s

MNSC dinner at Brasserie on the Eighth. Theme was 1991 around the world.

1991 Latour - I had long heard from a friend that this was a great wine, and was eager to see it for myself. It was definitely good, showing very beautifully. Nice bouquet with red fruits, pain grillé, smoke. Nice and smooth with round tannins. Delicious.

1991 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - this was also a beautiful wine. Typically Californian, lots of sweet black cherries. Yummy, nice comparison with the Latour.

1991 Penfolds Grange - wow! This wine packed a real punch, as usual. A real powerful nose. Very classic Grange. The nose stayed strong throughout the night. This was my favorite of the night.

1991 Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon - this was a completely different style of wine. This was elegant, finesse, smooth. However for the second time in a row - last time was in Tokyo - I was disappointed in the wine. I felt the nose was too weak, that it wasn't open enough. Others liked it fine enough though. Most felt it was the best bottle of the night.

1991 DRC Richebourg - by all accounts this was a disappointment, including me who's had 2 previous bottles. This may be due to the fact that the Ox lugged it back from Taipei the night before, and it didn't have enough time to rest.

Bahans and Gary Farrell

Dinner at M Kitchens.

1995 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir Olivet Lane Vineyard - this was a bit disappointing in the beginning, since the body was too diluted. However the nose was developing well over time, with lots of fruit, mint, very nice and elegant like a great Burgundy. However the body is still a little light, more like a finesse wine.

Bought from St. Helena Wine Shop for USD 95.

1985 Bahans Haut-Brion - this was double-decanted at home. Better than the last bottle I had. Lots of cigar, smoked meats, game meat around a core of red fruits. Pretty nice. Smooth texture. Also sweet grass in the nose.

Bought from Eslite for TWD 2,500.

1998 Napanook

Dinner at Onion Bistro.

1998 Dominus Napanook - very young and tannins are very apparent. Sweet fruit is apparent although acidity a bit higher than expected. Nose also has stewed prunes. Needs a few more years.

1994 Angelus

Dinner at Da Domenico.

1994 Angelus - it was very typical Bordeaux with lots of smoke, minerals. Red fruits showed but not as well as expected. Still a bit young and needs more time to really blossom.

Bought from Oaks for SGD 169.

95 Vieux Télégraphe

Dinner at Daluca.

1995 Vieux Télégraphe La Crau - pretty good. Good concentration, enough power. Good mid- and after palate. Very enjoyable.

French and Aussie

Dinner at a friend's home.

Started with a Piper-Heidsieck Champagne.

1993 Trimbach Gewürztraminer Cuvée des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre - within expectations.

Bought from Berry Brothers for HKD 379.

2000 Torbreck Juveniles - pretty nice Guigal wanna-be, but clearly not complex enough to compare with the single vineyards. Lots of good fruit, though.

1996 Primo Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot - this was drinking well despite not having enough time to breathe. Lots of good, sweet red fruits and a spicy after palate.

1997 Duhart-Milon - pretty typical Bordeaux, full of earthy minerals, smoke, grilled meats.

Also had a couple of bottles of Lynch-Bages from different vintages.