by | August 15, 2012

Tuesday libation.

By: L.A. Perkel

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By 5:30pm, I already had a line-up of four wines. Yes, it was going to be a good end to my day. First opened was the NV Lanson Brut ‘Black Label’. Fresh and zippy acidity. Citrus and floral notes; very subtle lees characteristic. Fine effervescence. A bottle of 1998 D’Auvenay Meursault ‘Pre de Manche’ was shared around the table next. This wine is full-on drama: opulent, rich, and concentrated. From the bold nose of buttered popcorn, almonds, floral, roasted pear, and minerality to the hefty structure, this wine gave its all. Fortunately, the wine had vibrant acidity and flavor concentration to handle that heft. The next round was tasted blind. “This wine reminds me of a 1994 Cornas I’ve had,” one of the taster initially observed. Really rich on the palate, youthful and vibrant. The sweet fruitiness and the richness, subtle hibiscus note…I’m thinking Richebourg, perhaps early 80s. Matt is with me on the Richebourg path. One said that the spiciness and iron notes remind him of Rhone Valley. AJ is guessing Chambertin. Time for the big reveal – A 1969 Remoissenet Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru ‘Les Combottes’. That explains it. Remoissenet’s have been hard to peg. The vibrant and youthful characteristics always point us to a wine 20 years younger. But, I have to say, this wine was drinking amazingly well, questions about reconditioning notwithstanding. A 2003 Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape ‘Cuvee Reserve’ was passed around next. Compact and brooding. Needs plenty of time to show its value. Some tobacco, smoke, black pepper, and plums emerging from the glass after half an hour, but on the palate the flavors were hidden amidst the wine’s tannic structure. I like it for its potential.

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by | August 10, 2012

The blind leading the blind.

By: Simon Roberts

It was one of those nights last night. A motley crew steadily walked through the front door and I had a feeling it was going to be a big night. Corks started popping as the night gathered speed.

First in and tasting was Scott and Ken, Champagne men through and through. NV Gonet-Medeville Rose kicked us off and as usual this great find did not disappoint. It would be hard to find a racy Rose that drinks like this in any price range. Strawberry parfait with bubbles!

Matt was up next with a 2002 Eyrie Pinot Noir from Oregon. It was very impressive; light in color and delicate on the palate, a very nice wine to start the evening off. If I were tasting this blind, I would not have pegged it as Oregon Pinot, but it was and it was showing really well.

Next up was a 1999 Leflaive Puligny Montrachet Les Combettes. Laser-like focus on this white. It showed vibrant flavors of lemon zest and stone. It tasted young yet it is 13 years old. You have to love these  single-vineyard Chardonnays from Leflaive as they definitely get better with age and this vintage is singing right now.

Ivan, our intrepid California cabernet aficionado, tasted us on Futo’s O.V. 2009 vintage which showed nice ripe fruit that was extremely well balanced with big, but soft plummy, blackberry and blackcurrant backbone and a lingering finish to boot. This was a great bottle of cabernet and I decided to pick up a few cases for our members ($95/bottle).

It was my turn next and I opened a 1998 Pride Mountain Reserve Cabernet. Bob Foley made this and his mark is all over it. Super concentrated, blockbuster cabernet with balance, complexity and style. The 1998 vintage was trashed back in the day and the critics were way off. There are some serious wines from this vintage in Napa and this bottle proved it.

DD turns up next, which usually means double trouble, and he did not disappoint opening a very nice 1989 Pichon Lalande. As always, Pichon shines through. This bottle had all the boxes ticked: Soft tannins, well integrated fruit, cedar, tobacco and deep black fruits. Yummy as always.

A 1985 Leoville Barton got opened next. This was drinking like a champ. I think 1985 as a vintage is drinking much better than the heralded 1986 vintage, especially from the Left Bank. Pencil lead, tobacco, smoke with that telltale dusty St-Julien finish. I am missing Bordeaux; time to reload.

“Let’s do a blind,” was suggested around the table. I thought, “Great idea!”. I really don’t know why we do not taste everything blind. It is way too much fun and you get to look very silly at times.

Our first blind was poured and my gut said old Bordeaux. This had a killer nose that just jumped out of the glass with pure stinky earth and plowed fields. It has to be Bordeaux, and a good one at that. The palate was stunning, this wine is  in perfect balance with dusty forest floor nuances, velvety mouthfeel with very little tannin. I went for 1982 Ducru. Another guess was 1982 Pichon Lalande. No way I thought, this wine has a very distinctive nose. Ivan mentioned the mint on the nose…could it be an older California Cabernet? The reveal – 1982 Chateau Montrose. A stunner. What a success the 1982 vintage is. It gets stronger as time passes.

The next decanter was poured. The wine was deep, concentrated with a red, almost black core. On the nose, Asian spice, camphor, and toast. Huge tannins. Go with your first instinct right? Straight out of the chute, I dive in. This has to be a California Syrah, a good one. It is massive and brooding. My mind was made up, maybe a young S.Q.N , a Reva, a Saxum? Two more guesses around the table… three of us now collectively using our astute wine knowledge and going for young but very good Cali Syrah. Greg sniggers before the reveal , as does DD and I know I am way off…why would he laugh? I thought as the brown bag was slowly removed  to reveal – a friggin’ 2007 Screaming Eagle. Blind tasting…y0u have to love it. My face, as well as Ivan’s and A.J.’s  were as red as the wine. Way off. Go Figure! I popped a 2008 Favia La Magdalena next to the Screaming Eagle for curiosity purposes. Now  I knew what the wine in front of, me with the camphor nose and concentrated finish,reminded  me of:  Andy Erickson’s  Favia. We all agreed, Favia is the real deal and about a 10th of the price of the screamer.

One more blind poured out of decanter. This one showed big, soft cedar fruits, nice balance, creamy texture. A few guesses around the table were mid-nineties California cabernet; Bryant, Colgin Herb Lamb, Harlan were all thrown in the mix. Reveal – 1995 Silver Oak Alex. Never judge a book by it’s cover. This  really was the blind leading the blind !

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by | August 9, 2012

1992 Meo Camuzet Cros Parantoux

By: Simon Roberts

This one deserves a mention all on its own. The 1992 Meo Camuzet Clos Vougeot Cros Parantoux was tasted around the table last night and it was mind-blowing good. Smoked  Barbecue pit on the nose, the hue was cloudy and unfiltered with just amazing aromas of mushroom and damp earth, the mid palate was deep and very concentrated, loads of flavors, plum, cherry blossom  and  violets. This was a fat wine that kept offering up all kinds of flavors as it sat in the glass. The few that tasted it were all blown away with this bottles complexity . A great Red Burgundy indeed. When Burgundy is on like this they really are hard to beat.

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by | August 6, 2012

Champagne on a Saturday

By: AJ McClellan

A great Saturday afternoon as a few members got together to improvise a Champagne tasting. Every bottle opened was delicious but the 96 Krug was far and away the best of the night…

NV Pierre Peters Blanc de Blanc – This is a great bottle of wine that always delivers. Subtle lemon/lime on the nose and palate with a hint of yeast and great mineral notes on the finish.

2002 Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque Brut – A hardier style of Champagne with big yeast notes and huge citrus on the palate. This wine was drinking very well but I feel like it would benefit significantly with a few more years in the bottle.

1996 Salon – Salon is one of my favorite houses for Champagne, they make a lovely bottle with lemon zest and great limestone minerality on the nose and palate. This bottle was drinking great around the table but it will be truly remarkable with another 10 years or so in the bottle.

1995 Krug – A great bottle of wine but a little one dimensional. Some green apple notes with great citrus and a creamy finish.

1996 Krug – This was far and away the wine of the night. A wonderfully approachable bottle that absolutely sings with fresh vibrant fruit and is in perfect balance with the rocking minerality that sits on your palate for a very long finish.

2004 Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque Rose – A brute of a Rose with big fruit notes and huge brioche notes that were almost overwhelming on the palate.

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by | August 1, 2012

Quiet (a)Tuesday

By: LA Perkel

Tuesday afternoon was action packed in terms of the quality of the wines we had opened. Although our first bottle, a 1990 Salon, was oh-so-subtly corked, that didn’t dissuade us from forging on. And when the 1989 Veuve Clicquot ‘La Grande Dame’ was opened with its charming baby fat showing along with its lip-smacking acidity on the palate, life was great again. Full and rich with upfront flint and mineral notes layered with toast, pear, white peach, honey, brioche and citrus notes. Elegant fizz, great flavor depth, and impeccable balance. And what length… this wine has a long life ahead. We opened a 2007 Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape next and this wine was expressive and opulent right out of the bottle. Aromas of black pepper spice, violets, smoked meats, cherries, and raspberries led to a concentrated and viscous palate. With air, the floral component started blowing off with a sweeter/savoury Asian spice, licorice, tobacco and incense mingling with macerated red fruits. This 100% Grenache was impressive in its balance. There was no denying the structure and power this wine exuded but the exuberant acidity and ripe, smooth tannins kept the wine seemingly light on its feet. Tremendous fruit concentration. Much as I am enjoying this wine now, this has the balance and structure to age gracefully. As is the general practice here at Graileys, a special bottle has to be opened to bid Simon adieu on his travels, so a 1994 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red was opened next.  Tasting Pahlmeyer alongside the youthful and fruit-filled Rayas emphasized its elegant complexity. Aromas of cassis, blackberry, smoky plums, tobacco, licorice, and a touch of herbal notes emerged from the glass. The palate was full-bodied, silky-textured where more black fruits with tobacco leaf, damp earth and licorice were noticeable. Persistent length on the finish with a touch of espresso beans. This wine is fully mature and should be enjoyed now.

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by | July 30, 2012

Dinner With The Don !

By: Simon Roberts

What started out as a spontaneous Sunday evening treat turned into a memorable experience yesterday with some superb food, exceptional wine and more importantly, great company. Thank you so much to Don and Ellen and their son Ryan for inviting me to their lovely home. What could be better than Yorkshire pudding with English peas, mashed potato, roast beef and real gravy? These are food I miss and long for!

 The evening started with a 1999 Bize-Leroy Meursault Les Narvaux. Every time I try Madame Leroy’s whites I find something different in them; they are intriguing. This vintage is drinking really young with not much of the tell tale mineral notes. This Meursault had a richer texture and balance. Butterscotch and apricot on the mid palate and a long honeyed finish. This Meursault was a great intro to a very special evening.

We sat down for dinner and Ellen’s Yorkshire pudding was perfect! A few secrets on how to get them to rise were shared while tasting the roast beef that was cooked to perfection on the big green egg. I drowned my beef and potatoes in some old-school gravy. Bravo to Don, that was proper gravy!

So what could possibly compliment a meal like this? The Don hit the nail on the head again with a 1952 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, if you don’t mind! This bottle held great memories, it is from Don’s father’s collection, which was split between the brothers after his father’s passing.

I think Don’s dad was smiling down on this one; it was a flat-out wonderful wine. You never know what you are going to get when you open these old Bordeaux bottles and this one looked like it had a rough life. It had a severely tattered label, a crumbling cork and a mid-shoulder fill. It was decanted for 3 hours, something that had me a little worried as these older Bordeaux can fall off with too much air. My worries were unfounded as this wine proved to be a thoroughbred that grew in stature in the glass as the evening went on. The wine had a savory spice nose with damp forest floor nuances springing from the glass. On the palate I got a really well balanced integration of acid and fruit with a sous bois tone to it, a little Burgundian, in fact. However this classic Bordeaux  powered through as it sat in the glass and showed cedar, a slight hint of spearmint and clove, and a soft, resonating finish. This was a bottle that is drinking at its peak, a truly memorable wine.

We finished this meal with a few stories and a wonderful tawny port from Taylor Fladgate, another mystery bottle that drank exceptionally well, with candied caramelized  fruits and walnuts dancing on the palate. It paired perfectly with the velvety soft  cake balls covered with white chocolate.

Dinner with The Don… not a bad way to spend a Sunday evening at all! The star of the show?

It was a tough decision for me: Don’s Gravy, Ellen’s Yorkshire puds or the 1952 Mouton? Tough choices indeed, especially with the Mouton being the  underdog at the start of evening, but much like a thoroughbred does, it outlasted everything else and won on the line !

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by | July 27, 2012

Bordeaux Sipping

By: LA Perkel

We always say, “At Graileys, you just never know what happens next”, but one constant is we can never get our hands off our inventory. For quality control purposes, we regularly open random bottles from recently purchased cellar to give us a vivid experience of where these wines are in terms of drinking window. And since last week’s acquisition was a Bordeaux cellar, last Friday’s libation theme was just that, Bordeaux.

First opened was a 1999 Ducru-Beaucaillou. This had gorgeous aromas of tobacco, licorice, and black raspberry. Elegant and graceful on the palate yet showing a textured mid-palate, flavor depth, and impressive length. The 1995 Smith-Haut-Lafitte that came my way next proved to be disappointing. I initially declared this wine corked but the wet cardboard note did blow off revealing a wine that was herbaceous and thin with a clipped finish. My dampened spirit was revived as soon as I nosed the 2001 La Mission Haut-Brion. This wine was aromatically compelling with complex notes of cherry, cassis, blackberries, tobacco, subtle spice, and gravelly minerality. The palate showed elegance and finesse marrying a sumptuous mouthfeel with exuberance. In terms of drinking window, I am enjoying this wine now but its balance, harmony, and exuberant acidity suggest this wine still has life ahead. My WOTN.  Our good fortune continued with a bottle of 2000 Gruaud-Larose which showed a more savory side than the La Mission. The nose showed leather, damp earth, underbrush, incense with hints of ripe blackcurrant in the background. Medium-bodied with supple texture; velvety structure with flavor depth. With air, a tobacco/tar component emerged. The 1997 Leoville Las Cases was opened next; dusty plums, graphite, coffee, and scorched earth on the nose leading to a palate that was full and broadly structured. I enjoyed the nose on this wine more than I did the palate. It seemed that the palate needed to catch up with the nose.

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by | July 20, 2012

Binge-Tasting Graileys Style

By: LA Perkel

Yesterday was a (good) busy day at Graileys. We just picked up a new cellar of mostly Bordeaux collection and we were just giddy. For the next four hours, all one could hear was the ‘tick, tick’ sound of computer keys as we all sent out the New Cellar Offer to our clients. So, it’s understandable that by the time 5pm came around, we were ready for some proper libation to end an extraordinary day. The 1999 Leflaive Batard-Montrachet was the first indulgence of the day. The wine showed signs of maturity with its intense honeyed and toasty notes along with citrus and floral undertones. The palate was textured, fleshy, and creamy. Medium-plus finish with a subtle hint of almonds. I was impressed by the wine’s balance with enough acidity to cut through that density. Definitely WOTN for me. We tasted the 2001 Vieux Chateau Certan next. This wine was decanted an hour prior and the wine benefited from it. Aromatic nose of plums, blackberries, earth, sweet spice, and subtle dried herbs lead to a palate that wowed with its concentration and a beautiful texture. The seamless integration of this wine belies the structure that lies underneath. In a word, sexy. We tasted the 2009 Felton Road Pinot Noir ‘Block 5’. Felton Road is a well-regarded winery from New Zealand’s Central Otago and winemaker Blair Walter actually stopped by to taste us on a lineup of his wines. Block 5 is a superb bottle that showed vivid Pinot aromas of red fruits and black cherries. Hints of minerals and dried lavender added complexity. Showing obvious oak component with toasty mocha notes. I particularly loved the racy acid that kept the wine fresh considering its massive structure. Some tannic grip in the back balanced by fruit concentration suggests its potential for ageability. A bottle of 2001 Dujac Clos St-Denis was opened next. This particular bottle’s aromas were diffused; save for espresso notes, I didn’t get much else initially. Eventually, aromas/flavors of cherries, forest floor, and spice were trying to come out. There was unmistakable structure and density on the palate, but the flavors need to catch up. I’m convinced this wine is just closed right now, but with time (perhaps in five years?), it will express more defined pretty fruit, spice, and earth. Next in the lineup was a 1997 Paolo Scavino Barolo ‘Bric del Fiasc’ which had me skeptical with its stewed, pruney nose. But on the palate, this was totally a different wine: massive and powerful with layered notes of tar, figs, licorice, damp earth, eucalyptus, smoke, black raspberries and dusty cherries. It tasted fresher on the palate. High levels of velvety tannins. The acidity on this wine was killer; it pushed that finish to unimaginable length where the wine showed more pronounced licorice flavors. This was my second favorite wine of the pack. I tasted a 2003 Gruaud Larose next which showed roasted espresso beans, black cherries, plums, blackberries, mocha and a palate that was opulent, rich and concentrated. Nice thread of acidity kept the wine’s ripeness in check. Firm tannins were well-integrated adding to a more supple texture. Approachable now. A 2006 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve hit the table next. I really liked this wine for its wonderful balance given its power and chewy, firm tannins. Primary aromas of cassis, plums, and blackberries with smoky oak and mocha.  With air, this wine evolved to show an even broader mouthfeel and more noticeable cassis and licorice notes while retaining that structure. The 2005 Bisou Cabernet Sauvignon was markedly different from the Beringer Cabernet showing more lifted aromas of blueberries, black raspberries, and black currants along with a more velvety structure. Compared to the Beringer, this had softer tannins and a rounder mouthfeel. The 2008 Barbour Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon was opened next. The touch of Cabernet Franc was showing on the nose with hints of peppery and green tobacco aromas. The palate is plush and full-bodied with ripe blackcurrants, plums, dark cherry fruit; oaky undertones. Ripe and well-integrated tannins. Harmonious and a pleasure to drink now. This was followed by another Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2009 Futo ‘OV’. Expressive, opulent, and rich. Candied black cherries, licorice, cocoa powder. Silky-textured. Shamelessly New World. The bold and rich 2009 Leviathan was tasted next. Black cherries, chocolate, and caramel aromas/flavors. Opulent and expressive. A blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 17% Syrah, and 7% Cabernet Franc. Sonoma County was represented by 2008 Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon. Flavor intensity and sumptuous texture are on point descriptors. Big cassis and blueberries along with mocha and dark chocolate characterized the aromas and flavors. Rounded and velvety in structure.

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by | July 16, 2012

Graileys Tasting in Hong Kong

By: Simon Roberts

Graileys hosted a tasting in conjunction with Christopher Burgess and Julius Baer Banking at the superb George Restaurant in Hong Kong’s most exclusive enclave, Parkview Estates.

This city-within- a-city is  a completely self sustaining luxury complex nestled in the mountains overlooking the bay. Just sitting in this most impressive dining room surrounded by great friends, superb wine and food would be enough to make it a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but after taking a tour of the wine cellar stacked with vintage Petrus and Latour and then admiring the wall adorned with Dali, Picasso and French renaissance paintings, you soon realize this is a truly special event.

Thanks to our host Christopher and his many guests, the evening was indeed ‘one for the ages’. Our first wine was a 1964 Piper Heidsieck Brut Champagne. It had huge anticipation for me as I have had this particular bottle sitting in my cellar for a couple of years now. This was the perfect setting and occasion; it did not disappoint.

This wine had everything an old Champagne should have, a golden yellow hue, backed up with a very subtle effervescence that had flavors of  baked apples and sourdough, yeast, butterscotch and honey. This stunning example of aged Champagne set the tone for a wonderful tasting. It was quickly followed with a 2004 Cristal that was drinking exceptionally well, full of vibrant fruit yet ever so well balanced. A great way to start any tasting!

The theme for our tasting was California versus France, all paired with some succulent plates.

Our Tasting…

Flight 1  Rhone/Rhone-style Whites

2007 Guigal Hermitage Blanc Ex-Voto versus 2009  Sine Qua Non On the Lam

Winner here by only one vote was the SQN. It had some very interesting nuances, kind of what you get when you mix Viogner with Chardonnay but overall the balance of acidity to fruit was just about perfect. It just overshadowed the Guigal, which showed a wonderful citrus and tangerine component that had everybody talking. Round 1 to the States !

Flight 2 Chardonnay-based Wines

2001 Leflaive Batard Montrachet   versus  1998 Peter Michael Mon Plasir

Unfortunatel, the Peter Michael was not showing well and the sommelier and I pulled the wine out of the tasting. I had a back up though!  We pitched a 1999 Leflaive Batard Montrachet against its older sibling. It was interesting to taste these side by side, the 1999 was head and shoulders above the 2001, showing lots more definition and focus, all at the table agreed the 1999 is a very special wine.

Flight 3  Syrah-based Wines

2007 Guigal  Cote-Rotie ‘Chateau d’Ampuis’    versus   2008 Sine Qua Non  B20

Ze French won this flight, though just by a single vote again. The SQN B20 was decanted from a magnum two hours prior to tasting and was still showing very tightly. It does have an amazing backbone, this wine, but when compared to the Ampuis, which was drinking straight out of the chute, it just fell short. Guigal’s 38-month in barrel aging regime allows significant integration of fruit and wood, so distinctive but still very individual wines in their own right.

Flight 4 Pinot Noir-based Wines

2008 Sea Smoke Ten   versus 2009 Meo Camuzet Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Feusselottes

California did indeed smoke the Meo…for some! The table was split down the middle on this one , some guests going for the silky smooth, fruit forward Cali Pinot, which was worlds apart in complexity for me. I had the swing vote and thought the Meo Camuzet had a lot more going on; deep red cherry with a savory spice on the mid palate that intrigued. The 2009 Meo Camuzet is going to be some wine in 10 years, if you can keep you hands of it. France edges it, only just!

Flight 5 Bordeaux/Bordeaux-style Wines

2003 Chateau Pavie  St Emilion versus  2005 Phelps Insignia

This was the best example of Chateau Pavie that I have tasted. It actually had a Harlanesque taste going on. The St Emilion is starting to strut its stuff and seems to be coming out of what I think has been a dormant stage for this wine. A little more time and I think it would have edged the Insignia. The Phelps, which was served out of a double magnum was exceptional. Phelps Insignia really is a well made California cabernet that is built for the long haul. The tannins are just starting to flesh out on this wine and it is showing beautiful crème de cassis flavors that leave a lingering impression, so much so that all but two around the table picked the California Cabernet as winner here. California triumphant again here.

We finished the night with a nice bottle of… San Miguel!  After all the vino, a palate cleanser was in order, we had to show it in the lineup picture. It’s only fair, right!!

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by | July 13, 2012

Hong Kong…. I love this town.

By: Simon Roberts

A couple of collectors joined Dave and I on our first dinner tasting in Chef Harlan Goldstein’s Gold Restaurant which went off very well in true Graileys fashion. Our group gathered to enjoy a fun night of  wine and conversation and absolutely superb food pairings created by Chef Harlan.

Our first course of Japanese crab and biretta Salad with apricot and hazelnut vinaigrette was paired with a sensational 1999 Leflaive Batard Montrachet. A knockout nose of mineral and wet stone was backed up with a pure, laser- like citrus mouthfeel, mango, lemon zest and apple nuances kept building leaving a lasting taste. The wine got better in the glass as it sat taking on a more rounded and complete wine after 20 minutes.

Our second course was a new Harlan creation inspired by a recent trip to New York. Chicken meat balls with Spanish red onions and Piquillo peppers on a bed of tzatziki yogurt. This was indeed an inspired dish that was paired with a 1999 Hudelot Richebourg. This is a big wine taking on some very big flavors on the plate. The Richebourg was a perfect match, with a smoky pinot nose and flavors of Indian spice, deep and velvety cherry nuances all wrapped up with that telltale Richebourg earthiness. Another winning combo.

Course three was one of Harlan’s signature dishes, a Tagliatelle with Tasmanian Black winter Truffle and porcini mushrooms. Or should I say small pasta with more truffle than I have ever had on one plate! This is some dish and the second time I have tried it here. It is fast becoming one of my favorites. This was paired with 1982 Latour. Go big or go home right!  Two words for this match….Pure Decadence!  The Latour was just singing straight out of the glass, cedar, forest floor, perfect balance and one of the best finishes on a wine that I have tasted in years. A wow pairing and a simply crazy experience.

Last up, or so we thought was the best dish of the night, A Saga Pork combo that was just rocking good. One piece was cooked with a spicy romesco sauce while the second piece was a glazed crispy testa salsa verd,  melt in the mouth piece of meat. This was a serious plate of food that went so well with the 2009 Sine Qua Non The Thrill of it Syrah. Pure magic! How Manfred Krankl fashions these wines and gets them tasting like this when young is beyond me. It was decanted for two hours and was just a cornucopia of flavors. Cote Rotie flavors of bacon fat paired perfectly with crispy pork. This wine with this dish was a marriage made in heaven .The SQN  was a thrill, just like the bottle says, a memorable wine and food pairing.

Last but not least, Foie Gras with french toast and maple vinegar glaze, not for the faint of heart this dish. Rich and perfectly seared, I toyed with this plate for ages. Why not, the night got crazy as I did, popping a few more gems. A 1991 Dujac Clos St Denis, a 1999 Leroy Vosne Romanee Les Beaux Monts  and a 2004 SQN Rejuvenator…topped off with a gin and tonic and an 1981 Chateau D’Yquem. You get the picture……Hong Kong…. I love this town.

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