Massandra or bust

Dinner at West Villa in Hong Kong, at Bonham's invitation featuring wines from Massandra.

1955 Massandra Collection Sherry - nutty, raisins, plum, toasty and dates.  Beautiful nose.  Dry on mid-palate, with 4% residual sugar.  Made with a solera system and a blend of Sercial, Verdelho and Albariño.

1945 Massandra Collection South Coast Red Port - savory nose of preserved plums (話梅), mineral, medjool dates, apricot.  The last few drops in the glass even showed a little sweet potato notes.  Sweet on the palate and slightly tart on the finish, with 10% residual sugar.  A blend of grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Saperavi and Mourvedre.

2010 Pieropan Calvarino - white peach, very floral with white flowers, a hint of flint.  Very refreshing.

2008 Vietti Barolo Castiglione - a little bit of pine, forest.  Really tannic on the palate and not enjoyable.

2006 Argentiera Giorgio Bartholomäus - very ripe, a bit cooked, stewed prunes and a little smoky.  Not bad.

1989 Massandra Collection South Coast White Muscat - literally smells and tastes like honey, almost like dissolving manuka honey in water.  A little bit nutty with tangerine.  VERY sweet, with 20% residual sugar.

Full post on dinner is here.