[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！

[South Australia] Yalumba Patchwork Shiraz Barossa 2013

Shiraz is one of my favorite grapes, the origin of Shiraz is from France Southeastern Rhône Valley, and in French it calls Syrah. It is one of the main varieties of Rhône Valley wine, but most of the wine would blend with other types of grapes. In the old time, Syrah had brought in to South Australia (New World), and then it became Shiraz in the New World region. The characteristic of this grape are dark skin, shows a robust berry flavor, black pepper, licorice, etc. aromas, it taste berry style and little spicy. This time, I tried a good value of Shiraz wine from South Australia Barossa Valley, which is Yalumba Patchwork 2013.

Yalumba established in 1849 by Samuel Smith. Until today, this winery is still own by his family and run by hid grandson Robert Hill Smith. Due the winery has excellent performance, Australian wine critic James Halliday gave a highly recommend on Yalumba winery. Moreover, It worth to mention, Yalumba has their own barrel factory, each year production has around 600 barrels. But the self-made barrels are only enough for the high end wine series, such as The Octavius. It made with 100% Shiraz from the oldest vine in Barossa and then aged in small barrel (90-100L), famous wine critic Robert Parker gave a high rated on this wine. From some reviews, people called Patchwork as Baby Octavius. Patchwork made with 100% Shiraz, from Barossa region, average age of vines is 20 – 30 years old. After nature fermentation, the wine aged 14 months in American, Hungarian and French oak.    

My Taste Note: I didn’t decant for this wine, just opened the screwcap and breathe for around 20 mins. The color is deep purple, it shows full warm fruits aromas like black cherry and blackcurrant, licorice and little of floral aromas. The taste is dry, full body, juicy with fresh acid and structure tannins, after taste find plenty of berry flavors and little bit tannins. Overall, this wine gives ripeness of fruit flavor and dense body, which shows a bold style of Shiraz.  

Shiraz (西拉) 入係我最愛的葡萄品種之一,它有一種非常吸引的野果芳香,但飲落又會有少辣, Shiraz 的來源係來先法國東南部 Rhône Valley (隆河),而法文稱為 Syrah. 它是 Rhône Valley 區主要品種之一,通常都會溝另外幾款葡萄來釀製.在很久以前有人將Syrah移植到南澳,之後所有新世界地區都改稱為 Shiraz . 它的特色帶有深色果皮,強烈野果風味,帶有黑椒,甘草,等等芳香,味道都是野果為主和有少少辣.今次我就試了一枝非常低飲的 Shiraz, 來看南澳 Barossa Valley (巴羅莎山谷) Yalumba Patchwork 2013.

Yalumba 酒莊係由英國人 Samel Smith 在1849年建立,直到現在大約160年之後酒莊依然由他的家庭擁有和孫兒  Robert Hill Smith 運作.由於酒莊一直表現優良,澳洲評酒家James Halliday都讚好.更值得一提的是,酒莊內設有自家製木桶廠,每年產量大約600個.不過自家製酒桶只係足夠提供給它們的高級酒用,比如The Octavius.這款酒用100% Shiraz 釀造,葡萄來自

Barossa 的老藤,之後在自家製小型木桶內陳年(90-100L),著名評酒家Robert Parker都給予高評.不過今次我唔係飲The Octavius,而係另一款有Baby Octavius之稱的 Patchwork. Patchwork 都係用100% Shiraz 釀酒, 葡萄都係來自 Barossa, 葡萄榭年齡大約20-30年.當天然發酵後,葡萄酒會在美國,匈牙利和法國木桶內陳年14個月.

我的品酒筆記: 這次我沒有醒酒,只係擰開樽蓋,讓酒透了大約20分鐘氣.顏色是有深紫色,它充滿野果的芳香,有車厘子和黑加侖子,再帶多一些甘草和小小花香.口感方面Dry,厚身,清爽的酸味,帶有結構的單寧.After Taste可以找到豐富的野果味道,和小小單寧.整體這款酒提供到成熟果味和濃厚Body,可以表現到Shiraz強勁的一面.

   

[South Australia] Get Ready for Christmas Party!!

The Laughing Magpie

The last wine I would like to recommend for Christmas party from Watson’s Wine Christmas promotion is a Red wine from McLaren Vale South Australia, D'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie. D'Arenberg winery was established in 1912. All the wine is made from old and low yielding vines using traditional techniques to obtain a rich fruity flavor. Their wine labels are full of creativeness, each wine has different design and drawing. Dead Arm is one of the masterpieces with 100% of Shiraz, it is worth to try but, the price is not cheap, and not suit for party use. The Laughing Magpie is made with 94% Shiraz and 6% Viognier of white grape, a traditional blend from Northern Rhône. The price is less than HK $200, suit for party use. 

“The Laughing Magpie” is an Australian native bird, which has a special laughing sound. The original name is Kookaburra, this Magpie has black and white stripe feather. We could see their footprints surrounding the D’Arenderg winery. Then, it inspired the winemaker that Laughing Magpie will be good to name a blend of black (Shiraz) and white (Viognier) grapes wine. There is a winemaking procedure I need to mention, D’Arenderg is the only winery in Australia who uses old-fashion Basket Pressing for all the wines. This pressing style yields cleaner wine or juice. By spending less time to filter, it can achieve minimal interference. Then, the wine will be transferred to French and American oak barrel for aging.         

My Taste Note: The one I tasted is vintage 2008, famous Australian wine critic James Halliday rated 94 scores and wine critics Robert Parker rated 91 scores. It shows dark purple color. On the nose it has ripe fruit such as blackberry, nutmeg, mint, spices and oak. The palate has supple tannins, pleasant acid, full body and dry but Jammy. Overall, this wine is fruity, balance acid with powerful Shiraz flavors. Although, this is an easy drinking and fruity wine, but it has plenty of depth for aftertaste.    

                                                              Dead Arm

最後一枝酒我想推薦給大家在聖誕節Party享用的, 是來自南澳洲的McLaren Vale (麥克拉倫谷) D'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie. 這款酒都是在葡萄酒店Watson’s Wine的聖誕推廣內. D'Arenberg 酒莊在1912年建立. 釀造它們的酒全部都是來自老和低產量的葡萄樹和用傳統工藝來得到最濃厚的果香或味道. 它們的酒標充滿創意和想像力,每一款酒都有不同設計和圖案. Dead Arm是其中一枝代表做, 用了100% Shiraz(西拉)釀製,是很值得一試,但是價錢比較貴,不宜在Party飲用. The Laughing Magpie用了94% Shiraz(西拉) and 6% Viognier (維歐尼耶)白葡萄,這是法國北隆河(Rhône)的傳統調配. 價錢是低於HK$200,從價錢上這款酒會適宜在Party上飲用.

“The Laughing Magpie”是一種澳洲本土鳥帶有一種特殊的笑聲. 它的原名是叫Kookaburra,外形是黑色和帶有白色條紋的羽毛. 圍繞著D’Arenderg酒莊都可以見到它們的足跡. 之後它就啟發了釀酒師Laughing Magpie很適合改給這款黑(Shiraz)白(Viognier)葡萄調配酒的酒名. 在釀酒過程中,其中一項是很值得一提, D’Arenderg是澳洲唯一的酒莊會用傳統Basket Pressing(在木籃內壓渣),這種壓渣方法可以釀造出更清晰的果汁或酒,用比較少時間來過濾,可以做到跟葡萄酒最少的接觸,但是需要更多的人力. 之後就會轉到法國和美國橡木桶內成熟.

我的品酒筆記: 我是品嚐2008年,出名的澳洲評酒家James Halliday 給了94分, 評酒家Robert Parker給了91分. 這款酒帶有深紫色. 在香氣上有成熟果香例如黑莓, Nutmeg(肉荳蔻),薄荷,香料和橡木. 口感帶有柔軟單寧,宜人的酸,厚身和乾型紅酒不過它帶有Jammy的感覺. 整體這款酒是Fruity,平衡的酸度有強勁的Shiraz味道. 雖然這款酒比較容易入口和Fruity,但是After Taste有的一層一層果味慢慢顯示出來.

[Facebook] Winecent HK

I just opened a Facebook fans page, Welcome to visit! In this page I will share some simple wine or beer taste note and dine or food photos, it will share more than wine. Facebook could help me to get closer with all wine lovers.

Last week, I had Penfolds Cellar Reserve Pinot Noir Adelaide Hills 2012. The wine show purple color with strong red fruit aroma, full body and dry. The palate is full of jammy fruit, concentrated body and fresh acid with soft tannins. Despite after taste is short, the wine still has a good depth fruit flavor. 

www.facebook.com/winecenthk

我剛剛開了一個Facebook Fans Page, 歡迎來參觀 在這個專頁內, 我會分享一些比較簡易的葡萄酒或啤酒的品酒筆記和一些美食圖 片, 專頁內會分享比葡萄酒更多信息. Facebook可以讓我與多一些葡萄酒爱好者接觸.

上星期我試了一枝來自南澳州阿得萊德山(Adelaide Hills) Penfolds Cellar Reserve Pinot Noir 2012. 在酒杯內葡萄酒是紫色帶有強烈的紅色水果香氣, 酒體是厚身, 乾型紅酒. 口感充滿豐富和成熟的水果香, 有concentrated body和清新的酸帶有柔軟的單寧. 儘管這款酒回味比較短, 但是它仍然有良好水果味道.

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[South Australia] Good Value and Worthy South Australia Wine

    
                                                               Label  

Wynns Coonawarra Estate 'The Siding' Green Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

In supermarket or wine shop South Australian wines are always have many choice, such as winery, region, grape variety and different price. It seems have many of chooses but, it is not difficult to find a worthy wine. We can select from the grapes variety, the region and then the winery, because each wine state in South Australia has their signature grape. For example, Mc Laren Vale and Barossa Valley has Shiraz, Clare Valley has Riesling, Adelaide Hills has Sauvignon Blanc, Coonawarra has Cabernet Sauvignon, etc. For the winery, we can pick the famous one, more stable. From this way, we won’t buy low quality or not worthy wine. This time, I tried Wynns Coonawarra Estate 'The Siding' Green Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2011. Wynns Estate is an outstanding and well-known winery.

Coonawarra is located in South Australia and near the ocean. It has gentle maritime climate and this region is classified as cool, with a long ripening period. The soil is dazzling red-brick hue, this soil call Terra Rossa. The topsoil is rich red / brown color soil and beneath has layer of limestone. It let the vines to reach underground water reserves and this give Cabernet Sauvignon a firm tannic and excellent for aging. The Cabernet Sauvignon of Coonawarra shows the most Bordeaux style compare to the other of South Australia wine state.           

My taste note: This wine made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonarawarra. It provides the region features. The wine was matured for 10 months in new and old French and American oak barrels. Decant for 30 mins, in the glass the wine has deep purple color. The aromas show blackcurrant, green pepper, mint, cinnamon and spices. The medium body with firm tanning, dry and medium acid. The palate comes with red fruit and spices feel, at the end shows little mint and chewy tannic. Now, it is prefect time to enjoy or store for few years to smooth the tannic.       

                                Coonawarra Terra Rossa (Photo from website)  

有時行超巿和紅酒鋪的時候, 都會見到南澳葡萄酒有好多不同的選擇, 例如酒莊, 產區, 葡萄品種和價錢. 看起來好像很難找到好酒, 其實都不是太難找到. 我們可以從葡萄品種, 產區和酒莊開始找起. 每一個澳洲產區都有它們的一款代表葡萄品種. 例如Mc Laren Vale 和 Barossa Valley 有希拉 (Shiraz), Clare Valley 有麗絲玲 (Riesling), Adelaide Hills 有白蘇維濃 (Sauvignon Blanc), Coonawarra 有卡本內蘇維翁(Cabernet Sauvignon), 等等. 酒莊可以選擇一些出名的, 質量比較穩定. 從這個方法, 我們不會買到不直得飲的酒. 這次我試了Wynns Coonawarra Estate 'The Siding' Green Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2011.

Coonnawarra 是位於南澳, 近海. 這裡有溫和的海洋氣候和這個產被分為涼爽, 有長時間給葡萄成熟. 這裡的泥土有一種令人眼花繚亂的紅磚色調, 這些紅色泥土叫做Terra Rossa. 表土是一層肥沃紅色/咖啡色土壤和低下是石灰石, 可以裹葡萄樹接觸到地下水儲量. 這樣可以給卡本內蘇維翁(Cabernet Sauvignon)有結實的單寧和可有優良的長時間成熟. 全澳洲只有這裡的卡本內蘇維翁(Cabernet Sauvignon)跟法國波爾多口味差不多.

我的品酒筆記: 這款酒是用上100%的Coonnawarra卡本內蘇維翁(Cabernet Sauvignon)釀製, 可提供這裡的風土特色. 當釀成紅酒時, 酒會放在法國和美國新和舊木桶裡成熟. 用了30分鐘醒酒, 在酒杯內顯示深紫色. Aromas 包括有黑加倫子, 青椒, 薄荷, 肉桂和一些香料.中等酒身和酸度. 口感是乾紅酒, 有紅色果實和香料的感覺. 到最後有薄荷和一些單寧在舌上跳躍. 現在可以飲用, 當然可以放多一 段時間, 可裹單寧平滑一點.