[France] Matrise XO (Cognac)

Received a gift from a Canada Friend!

幾個月前收到加拿大朋友禮物!

[HK] Watson’s Wine Lucky Bag

[HK] Watson’s Wine Lucky Bag

From now on to 21 Aug, HK Watson’s Wine has a Lucky Bag (福袋) for $668. Lucky Bag is kind of lucky draw, you pick your own bag and inside the bag has 3 bottles of red wine that total is value from $1000 - $2000. The range includes French wine, Italian wine, Spanish wine and Australian wine. This deal has nothing to lose, why not give it a try, only $668 for 3 bottles of red wine that is around $222 for each and I have a chance to pick the expensive one.

Let ‘see which wine I got:

• Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere 2010
• Chateau de Lamarque 2012
• Penfolds Cellar Reserve McLaren Vale Tempranillo 2012

Wow…Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere!! In HK it cost minimum $800 to $1000. The Staff told me that I picked the most expensive one lucky bag, it values around $2000. Only Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere is already over $668 and it is quite amusing and exciting. If, you intend to buy one, please hurry up, because those bags have limited number for each shop.   

從現開始到8月21日香港Watson’s Wine有一批福袋 (Lucky Bag)售價＄668, 大家對福袋應該唔會好陌生. 福袋內里有3枝紅酒總供價值到＄1000～＄2000, 款式包括有法國,意大利,西班牙和澳洲紅酒. 個福袋＄688有3枝紅酒每枝酒大約＄222, 其實我覺得係好低玩, 仲有機會抽到一D貴價酒.

大家睇下我抽到咩酒：

• Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere 2010
• Chateau de Lamarque 2012 
• Penfolds Cellar Reserve McLaren Vale Tempranillo 2012

嘩!! Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere, 香港正價最少都要賣＄800﹣＄1000. 個STAFF同我講, 話我抽到呢一袋係價值最高既一袋, 價值大約＄2000. 其實單單一枝Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere 已經超過＄668, 抽到靚酒, 又有得玩, 真係咩都低哂. 如果有興趣就要趁快, 因為佢同我講數量有限！賣完即止！

[France / Italy] Montirius Gigondas Confidentiel 2010 & Fattoria Le Pupille ElisabettaGeppetti 'Poggio Valente, Morellino di Scansano Riserva DOCG Italy 2009 Wine Tasting

I have been so busy on these past weeks but still have time for wine tasting. These 2 wines are worth to try, let’s share these simple wine reviews for your reference.

The 1^st one is Montirius Gigondas Confidentiel 2010, from Gigondas which is locating in Southern Rhone Valley. The terroir here is limestone and clay slopes up to 1,300 ft. Here is Mediterranean climate hot temperature, dry and sunny. Gigondas only has black grapes plantation, so no white wine is yielding. The wine blended big amount of Grenache grape, it gives the wine firmer and longer aging potential. Montirius Gigondas Confidentiel 2010 blended with 80% of Grenache and 20% of Mourvèdre, the average age of the vines are 75 years old. Before, I decanted for around 30 mins. The color is dark purple, has plum, cherry, spices, black pepper and light smoke aromas. In the mouth can found richness of plum and cherries, powerful tannins, aftertaste has little mineral. Overall, this wine is dry and full body with luscious fruits, can drink now or keep in cellar for aging.    

The 2^nd one is Fattoria Le Pupille Elisabetta Geppetti 'Poggio Valente, Morellino diScansano Riserva DOCG Italy 2009, an Italian wine from Southern Tuscany. Morellino di Scansano DOCG is a dry red wine region from Village Scansano. Here the wine made with at least 85% of Morellino grapes, which is identical with Sangiovese grapes, the characteristics are medium to full body with cherry, plum, herbs and cedar aromas. Then, it matured in barrel between 4 to 12 months, for “Riserva” wine had 2 years of maturation which has 1 year in barrel. Fattoria Le Pupille winery owns by Elisabetta Geppetti, she is also the President of Morellino di Scansano Consortium. This Morellino di Scansano blends with Sangiovese and Merlot, the grapes are from Poggio Valente vineyards. After fermentation, the wine matured in a big barrel for 15 months. This wine shows very fleshy fruits aromas such as cherry, plum, raspberry, and it has tobacco, nutmeg and liquorice aromas. Overall, it is full body, dry with high acid and balance tannins, then aftertaste has richness of fruits come out, I found this is ready to drink now

近期因工作比較忙所以好少出文,不過都可以抽少少時間出嚟飲下酒. 就飲咗呢兩枝紅酒感覺都值得同大家分享一下.

第一枝係 Montirius Gigondas Confidentiel 2010, 來自法國隆河谷南部的 ”Gigondas”. 這裡是地中海氣候, 溫度比較熱, 乾燥和陽光普照. 主要土壤是石灰石和粘土, 地勢是斜坡型最高可到1,300FT. Gigondas主要種植黑葡萄為主, 所以只有釀製紅酒沒有白酒. 而釀造紅酒的主要葡萄是Grenache, 這款葡萄釀出來的酒會比較硬身, 可陳年, 帶有香濃的Plum(李子)風味.  Montirius Gigondas Confidentiel 2010 用了80% Grenache 和20% Mourvèdre來釀製, 每棵葡萄樹的平均年齡是75歲. 飲之前Decant大約30分鐘, 酒色深紫色, 有李子, 車厘子, 香料, 黑胡椒芳香和輕微的木桶煙燻香. 口感方面帶有豐富的李子和車厘子味道, 單寧較強勁, Aftertaste 可感覺到一些礦物質既感覺. 整體這是一款Dry 和Full Body 紅酒, 而帶有出色的水果風味, 濃郁得嚟又容易飲. 現在可以飲用或可以繼續陳年.

第二枝是來自意大利Tuscany(托斯卡納)的紅酒Fattoria Le Pupille ElisabettaGeppetti 'Poggio Valente, Morellino di Scansano Riserva DOCG Italy 2009. Morellino di Scansano DOCG 主要生產紅酒, 位於Tuscany南部的一個村莊叫做Scansano. 這裡的紅酒最少85%都是用Morellino葡萄來釀製, 而這款葡萄其實是跟Sangiovese "山吉歐維榭" 同一種葡萄, 釀出來的酒是近乎中等到厚身, 帶有車厘子, 李子, 草藥和雪松芳香. 釀成酒之後會放在木桶內陳年4至12個月, 如果”Riserva”紅酒需要陳年2年最少1年在木桶內. 酒莊Fattoria Le Pupille的莊主是Elisabetta Geppetti, 她又是Morellino di Scansano聯盟的會長. 這款酒主要是用了Sangiovese其餘是Merlot, 所有葡萄都是來自Poggio Valente葡萄園, 當紅酒釀成後放入大型木桶內15個月. 這款酒有飽滿的水果芳香, 有車厘子, 覆盆子, 李子和有一些煙草, 肉荳蔻(Nutmeg), 甘草的芳香. 整體這款酒的口感是, Dry, Balance 單寕, 酸度較高的紅酒不過Aftertaste可帶出豐富的水果甜味, 我覺得現在可以飲用.

[France] Château Laribotte 2012 (Sauternes)

During Lunar Chinese New Year holidays, I bought a very bargain price of Sauternes sweet white wine from HK 759 Store. 759 Store always has different type of discount, for example original price item has 30% off. Occasionally, I will visit 759 to check out their new arrival wine because it may find some inexpensive and good value wine. Few months before, I had a post about a Spanish red wine Viña Eguia Reseva 2010, which is also bought from 759. This time, I found a Sauternes sweet white wine Château Laribotte 2012 (750ml), the discounted price is only $120 HKD. On Wine-Searcher website, the average price is $240 - $300 for different vintages. Now, it cost less than $200, so why don’t give it a try.

More information on the official website, Château Laribotte is a family owned winery since 1855, until now is the sixth generation. Winery is located in Preignac of Sauternes estate. Sauternes has 5 sub-regions that are Sauternes, Barsac, Preignac, Fargues and Bommes, but on the wine labels are permitted to show AOC Sauternes and AOC Barsac only. Preignac wine style has lighter weight, less rich than other Sauternes wine, but similar style to Barsac. The Vineyard soils are mainly clay and gravel, and plant 90% Sémillon, 8% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle. After fermentation, the wine aged 24 months in cement tank and 12 months in barrels.

Sauternes sweet wine are made with Botrytis Grapes (Noble Rot), it contain less moisture to increase its sugar level, acidity, flavors, aromas, etc. Usually, it has a strong aging potential, can age minimum 5 to 25 years. Although 2012 is not an outstanding vintage but this wine is still very young, age for few more years will be much better. Does any one have taste different vintage of Château Laribotte? If, Yes! Please feel free to share the taste note with me!!

農曆新年假期間,我在759買了一枝感覺非常便宜的Sauternes(索甸)貴腐甜白酒.通常759都會有不同的折扣,例如正價貨品會有7折.不久我會去759,看看他們有沒有新返葡萄酒.因為間中在759都可以找到一些便宜和物有所值的葡萄酒.幾個月前我提過一枝西班牙紅酒Viña Eguia Reseva 2010,都是在759買的.今次這枝Sauterne貴腐甜白酒Château Laribotte 2012 (750ml),折扣後只是$120.之後我在wine-searcher看到,它的其他年份平均價錢都需要 $240-$300.這樣看,現在折後的價錢都不過於$200,是否值得一試呢?

酒莊官方網站可以找到更多資料, 在1855年到現在都是由家Château Laribotte族擁有和經營,目前已是第六代.酒莊位於Sauternes村里其中一個酒區叫做Preignac. Sauternes內有分為5個酒區,分別Sauternes, Barsac, Preignac, Fargues 和 Bommes, 但是在酒標上只可以印有AOC Sauternes 和 AOC Barsac.Preignac酒的風格是比Sauternes期他酒區較輕型,雅淡,等等,跟Barsac酒有點相似.葡萄園主要都係粘土和礫石,品種種植比例是 90% Sémillon, 8% Sauvignon Blanc和2% Muscadelle.發酵完的酒會在水泥造的酒桶陳年24個月,之後再方在木桶12個月.

Sauternes貴腐甜白酒是用含有貴腐菌葡萄來釀製,是水份含量低來提升糖份,酸度,風味,芳香,等等.普遍都有非常強的陳年能力,最少可以陳年5至25年.雖然2012年不是一個出色的年份,但是這枝酒還是非常新,最好擺放幾年後先飲用.大家之前有沒有品嚐過Château Laribotte的其他年份?如果有,可否分享一下Taste Note!!

[France] Château de Corcelles 2014

Every year in November is the right time to taste some fresh Beaujolais Nouveau wine. In long time ago, Beaujolais made these wines to celebrate the end of the harvest. The grapes were harvest in September, and spent 6 to 8 weeks for wine making. Then, it will on sale on the third Thursday in November. Beaujolais red wine is made with 100% Gamay, this grape is big, juice, thin skin and low tannins, very suitable to use Carbonic Maceration technique for vinification, which is vinify with whole bunches of grapes without crushing and place in a big closed container, the grapes in bottom will be crushed under the weight of gravity from the top. Then, grapes pulp, skin and juice will provide yeast to begin the fermentation. After fermentation, it will stay in the container to macerate for few days, for example Beaujolais Nouveau macerate for 4 days only. These wine provide fresh, fruity and low tannins simple wine, come with cherry, strawberry, banana, pear and candy aromas, the color is pink to light purple. Beaujolais Nouveau wine should enjoy as soon as after purchased because it doesn’t have any age potential. Some Beaujolais Villages or Cru wine will keep the wine in stainless steel vats or barrels for maturing for a while, after bottled these wines will have 3 to 5 years aging potential.

This year, I didn’t drink Beaujolais Nouveau wine yet, I tried a Cru Beaujolais wine Château de Corcelles 2014 from Brouilly. Beaujolais has 10 Crus Appellations, Brouilly is one of the Cru. Most of these 10 Cru are located in the northern side and come with granitic soils, which is suitable to plan Gamay variety. The wine from Brouilly is much more full body and earthy, not like the fresh Beaujolais Nouveau wine. Cru Beaujolais wine macerates for a minimum 10 days, Château de Corcelles has macerated for 15 days, and then kept in stainless steel vats until summer.

My Taste Note: The wine shows bright light purple color. It has cherry, spices and little earthy aromas. In the mouth can find fresh fruity flavors, medium dry sweet with light tannins and aftertaste has some cherry like acidity. Cru Beaujolais wine had a longer macerate time during fermentation, the body and taste are more complex than Beaujolais Nouveau. Overall, this wine is fresh and fruity, is like drinking sweet Roselle Tea (Hibiscus Tea).  

每年的11月都係最適合飲一些新鮮 Beaujolais Nouveau 紅酒(薄酒萊新葡萄酒),以前 Beaujolais (薄酒萊) 的村民會釀這些葡萄酒用來慶祝他們的每年的收成.在每年9月收成後再花6至8個星期來釀製,之後在11月的第3個星期4就開始售賣. Beaujolais 紅酒都是用100% Gamay (加美)來釀製,這款葡萄的特色就是皮薄,多汁,果實大粒和單寧含量低,所以適合用二氧化碳浸泡法來釀製.這個方法是用整串葡萄來釀製,首先所有葡萄不需壓碎,倒入一個密封的酒缸內,由上層葡萄的重力來壓破下層的葡萄.之後葡萄果肉,果皮和果汁開始流出和產生一些天然酵母進行發酵.當發酵後,酒會放在酒缸裡和果皮一起浸泡幾天,例如 Beaujolais Nouveau 就浸4天.這些酒的風味道都帶有新鮮果香,低單寧和帶有車厘子,士多啤利,香蕉,啤利和糖果的芳香,顏色都是在粉紅色和淺紫色之間.所以 Beaujolais Nouveau 紅酒最好就係即買即享受,因為它沒有陳年的能力,還一些 Beaujolais Villages (薄酒萊村莊酒) 和 Cru Beaujolais(薄酒萊特級酒),釀好之後會方在不銹鋼酒桶或木桶裡陳年一段時間,這些酒就會有2至3年的陳年能力.

今年我還未飲 Beaujolais Nouveau 紅酒,我就試了一枝 Cru Beaujolais 紅酒 Château de Corcelles 2014,來自 Brouilly 酒區. Beaujolais有10個特級產區, Brouilly 就係其中一個. 這10個特級產區都是位於北邊,大多數的土壤都是以花崗岩為主,非常適合種植 Gamay 的品種. Brouilly 的紅酒是比較厚身和帶有一些泥土風味,跟 Beaujolais Nouveau 有些不同. Cru Beaujolais 的紅酒在釀好後,會進行浸皮最少10天,Château de Corcelles 就用了15天來浸皮, 然後將酒放在不銹鋼酒桶裡直到夏天.

我的品酒筆記: 紅酒帶有透亮的淺紫色,有車厘子,香料和輕輕的泥土芳香.我覺得口感都是比較單薄,充滿新鮮水果味道,Medium Dry少少甜和輕微的單寧, Aftertaste 有一些好似車厘子的酸.在釀製過產中 Cru Beaujolais 的紅酒有較長的浸皮時間,所以酒身和味道方面會比Beaujolais Nouveau複雜. 整體這款酒感覺清新同Fruity,其實飲落有些似洛神花茶,少少甜酸的感覺.

[France / New Zealand / Australia] A Little Shopping from August!!

From Left to Right:

1)     Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Marlborough New Zealand

2)     Domaine Montirius Confidentiel 2010 Gigondas

3)     Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No. 1 2008 Yarra Valley Australia

4)     Fleur De Clinet 2011 Pomerol 

Looking forward to taste them!!