Mont-Olivet and Turley

Dinner at a friend's home.

1990 Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet - kinda disappointed as this was a bit "cooked", or showed too much stewed fruits. Maybe it breathed too long? Maybe past its peak. But still showed classic Rhône nose and palate.

Chateau Segonnes - typical Bordeaux and not interesting.

1997 Turley Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard - very good stuff. Showed all the characters of a fruity, forward Californian zin. Very enjoyable.

1998 Casa Lapostolle

Hotpot dinner.

1998 Casa Lapostolle Merlot Cuvée Alexandre - kinda disappointing. Only a bit of fruit, mostly covered by a grassy nose which took a while to fade.

Bought from Manly.

Kistler and Parker

Dinner at Cine Citta.

Kistler Chardonnay Les Noisetieres - pretty good stuff for entry level. Crisp acidity, very refreshing.

1998 Parker Coonawarra Terra Rossa First Growth - pretty good stuff. Classic Aussie wine, showing a lot of ripe fruit. Pretty full-bodied as it is still pretty young.

Bought from Ponti.

1992 Leroy

Dinner at a friend's home.

1992 Domaine Leroy Corton-Renardes - this was not bad. Nose was very nice and open, with black cherries and stewed prunes. Body was a bit lighter, and acidity slightly higher than the '93.

Bought from Fa Lan Ke in Taipei.

Montelena and 1998 whites

Dinner at Sanjusangendo in Taipei.

1998 Blanc de Lynch-Bages - this was OK. Wasn't chilled enough before it was served, so the acidity on the palate was a bit high. Nevertheless it was a good wine.

1998 Montelena Chardonnay - better than the Lynch-Bages as it was served at the right temperature. A pleasure to drink.

1996 Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate - this was disappointing for me. Perhaps I had let it breathe too long. It had lost its fruity nose by the time we got to it. Faded and flat, boring to drink.

Lamarche and Morey

Dinner at Sabatini in Taipei.

2000 Jean-Marc Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes - this was very good. Crisp, fruity, good minerals and toasty oak. Very vibrant and lively on the palate.

1995 François Lamarche Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Chaumes - very open, drinking very well. Lots of ripe fruit in the big nose. Wow! Very enjoyable, and for such a reasonable price!