Tuesday, February 28, 2023

LeDomduVin: The Classics - Louis Roederer Cristal 2002 and Claude Dugat Chapelle Chambertin 2018

 



The Classics


The other day I felt privileged to open, taste and serve these 2 bottles from producers that I consider "Classic" in my book.

"Classic" may mean a lot of different things, yet, for most people, it means "to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind." Especially when proven many times over and over a certain period of time.

And, in my opinion, these 2 producers are "classics" in their respective regions.

Louis Roederer's "Cristal" is a timeless Champagne that has defied time and history, and requires no introduction as its reputation is second to none.

This Cristal 2002 was delightful, charming, grand, and noble. Beyond its still youthful pale golden color, it boasted fresh and enticing aromas of toasted brioche and yellow fruits with floral and mineral nuances, in a very elegant manner. The palate is rich and creamy, smooth and graceful, generous and sensual, and endowed with a very nice acidity allowing this champagne to remain young, fresh, and refreshing on the palate. Blindfolded, I'm sure many would give him much less than his current age of 20 years old. Stunning!!!

And, Claude Dugat does not need any introduction either, being one of the few "cult" producers of Gevrey-Chambertin, as well as being the cousin of Bernard Dugat, the owner of the Famous Domaine Dugat-py.

It is almost a sacrilege to open a bottle of 2018 vintage when you know that Claude's wines can last for decades. Yet, nowadays, everything goes fast, people cannot wait and people don't have patience either, everything has to be now.

Fortunately, this 2018 Claude Dugat Chapelle-Chambertin showed fantastically well and was even quite impressive to my palate.

You know the type of wine that when you drink a sip of it you immediately feel a sense of pleasurable satisfaction and the only thing you want is to pour yourself a full glass, knowing already that one bottle won't be enough. Well, that was it!

Definitely one of my favorite Chapelle Chambertin!!!

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #wine #vin #vino #wein @louisroederer_ #louisroederer #cristal #claudedugat #champagne #burgundy #redwine #france #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife


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Friday, February 24, 2023

LeDomduVin: Cigar anyone?





Cigar anyone?


For those of you who may not know, a Sommelier is not only trained on all possible beverages and drinks from all around the world, (from mineral waters to all the various types of wines to tea, chocolate, and coffee, and all the other spirits and liquors in between, as well as food and cooking), but also on cigars (from around the world).

In short, a Sommelier is trained, then acquires more knowledge, skills, and experience in his/her career, for one purpose only: to handle, to the best of his/her storytelling ability, adaptability, and flexibility, all situations and questions customers may have and need an answer for.








It requires a lot of passion, determination, curiosity, consistency, and discipline as well as a lot of learning, reading, writing, tasting, drinking, and even smoking, to reach greatness.

As, let’s face it, one can not talk with passion and knowledge about something he or she does not know and/or has never experienced before, especially when it comes to food, wine, spirits, and cigars.








That is the most essential part of the job of a Sommelier, sharing passion and knowledge to tell stories, bring the customers to the place of origin of the product, and describe it with words, images, and metaphors, to set up the background scenery prior to conveying, with manners and elegance, passion and sincerity, the message the producers have put in their bottles, including geography, topography, climate, soil, subsoil, vineyard, cellar, techniques, processes, family, culture, tradition, time, patience, sweat and love, and all the ups and downs he/she must have been through to craft, year after year, the best possible wine.








And, when it comes to cigars, it is the same, a Sommelier must know everything about its origins, production, and taste, as one can read as many books as possible, tasting remains the only way to know and experience properly a cigar, a wine or a dish (or anything else for that matter).








Now, let's enjoy a cigar. May I suggest you one of these from this @davidoff Gift Selection box? We also have some @montecristo_cigars and @fonseca_cigars, or perhaps a @cohiba or a @trinidad?

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #cigar #cigars #smoking #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemy job

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

Monday, February 20, 2023

LeDomduVin: Albator loves wine





 Albator loves wine



No real need to introduce "Albator", as he is such an iconic Manga figure of the late 70s, and early 80s. He was one of the biggest heroes of my generation (people in their late 40s and early 50s nowadays). 

Yet, for the newer generations who may have not known him, here is a brief description. 

Albator also called "Captain Harlock", is a rebellious soldier who, facing the apathy of his superiors toward the alien's invasion and earth's unavoidable fate, turned into a Space Pirate, after stealing a battle spaceship, the "Arcadia", to stand and fight against Earth's aliens and oppressors, the Gaia Sanction (Gaia Coalition), and Queen Rafflesia, to prevent them from ruling the earth and the universe and controlling the human race. 

The story occurs in 2977 AD. Dark matter is everywhere. Earth has become a barren planet due to the war with the invading aliens and the spread of dark matter, few humans remain on earth, the rest are now either living on spaceships or on other planets. 

Even Albator's spaceship, the Arcadia, is both powered and cursed by dark matter, as it appears to be immortal and indestructible, and even seems alive at times. Albator himself is both affected and cursed by the dark matters, which gives him strength and the power to control his ship.      

Albator (Captain Harlock) "is the archetypical Romantic hero, a space pirate with an individualist philosophy of life. He is as noble as he is taciturn, rebellious, stoically fighting against totalitarian regimes, whether they be Earth-born or alien." He fights with the conviction he can make the earth a place worth living again. (Tokinowa Fandom

And, he loves wine, or what appears to be wine in his glass in multiple episodes. 😁👍🍷🍷🍷     

I hope this explanation better clarifies who is Albator and what he fights for and against.  


I love the above drawing of "Albator" (Captain Harlock), one of my favorite heroes, which was posted by Tcosma on DeviantArt (*). 

In my opinion, it represents quite well the personage of Albator: hair in the wind, bright and smart eye, looking focused, aware, confident, and ready to strike. Both rebellious and romantic, intelligent and stubborn, following his own way and philosophy of life and beliefs. Just the way I adore him. My Hero. 

And, he is once again represented with a glass of wine in his hand. Cheers Albator!       








RIP Leiji Matsumoto 


With this post, I also would like to pay homage to Leiji Matsumoto, one of the most recognized Manga artists and father of "Albator" ("Captain Harlock"), who just passed away at the age of 85 years old, and took with him a good part of my youth, and one of my favorite heroes. 

Santé Master and peace to your soul. Respect, and thank you for all of the childhood memories of watching Albator.    

Dom








#albator #captainharlock #leijimatsumoto #manga #mangaofmyyouth @ledomduvin #ledomduvin #heroesofmyyouth @leijimatsumoto_fanpage @ass_cult_leiji_matsumoto #wine #vin #vino #wein



(*) Drawing courtesy of https://www.deviantart.com/tcosma/art/My-hero-Captain-Harlock-92911014



Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

LeDomduVin: Happy Valentine's Day

 




Happy Valentine's Day


to all the couples and friends who will celebrate it...

....with a good bottle of champagne or wine (I hope).

Have a wonderful time with your better half and/or significant other.

May love prevail!

Take good care of yourself and your loved ones.

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

NB: drawing by @ledomduvin 2023 ©LeDomduVin 2023

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #wine #vin #vino #wein #valentineday #valentine #lesdessinsadom #lescreationsadom #lesmessagesadom #lescollagesadom #drawing #cartoon #loversday




Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: ASI - Best Sommelier of the World 2023 Congratulations to the 3 finalists

 





ASI - Best Sommelier of the World 2023
Congratulations to the 3 finalists



Congratulations to Raimonds Tomsons, winner of the competition for Best Sommelier of the World 2023, and 17th Best Sommelier of the World.

The three finalists for the 2023 Best Sommelier of the World contest (left to right):
- Nina Jensen from Denmark,
- Raimonds Tomsons from Latvia
- Reeze Choi from China

📸 Courtesy of ASI (@asisomms_)

#asi #bestsommelier #sommelier #sommlife #sommelierlife #bestsommelieroftheworld #associationdelasommellerieinternationale #wine #vin #vino #wein



Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

Friday, February 10, 2023

LeDomduVin: A Savory (Umami) charm - Domaine Humbert Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2018






A savory (Umami) Charm




Recently, I bought a few bottles of Domaine Humbert Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2018 for a private party. It was my first time buying it, without really knowing either the Domaine or this specific wine from them.

I was both really intrigued and interested to taste this wine, as it is rare to find a "Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru" at such a "reasonable" price, roughly HKD1,300 (Euros 150), compared to other burgundy producers and négociants selling this “Grand Cru” between HKD3000-9000 (Euros 350-1000) a bottle.

These huge differences in prices, typical of Burgundy, will always remain a mystery to me… (*)

So, how good can it be at this price? Surely not that bad as it received an aggregated critic score of 95/100. And a 95-pointer "Grand Cru" from Burgundy at roughly HKD 1,300 a bottle is a great bargain (in my book).

So, I popped it up to figure it out.







Domaine Humbert Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2018

Average Market Price HKD 1,300 (Euros 150)

Attractive medium deep garnet color. The nose seemed slightly off at first. Like a whiff of an earthy mixture of dirt and sulfur. Difficult to say if it was a terroir-oriented smell or just remains of the "élevage" method (yet Humbert Freres are neither bio nor organic, nor natural🤔). A colleague even thought it was cork, but no, it was not.

After a few swirls and a few minutes in the glass, the weird smell disappeared to make room for some plumy, blackcurrant, dark cherry, and ripe strawberry aromas with earthy and mineral nuances, and smoky notes.

At first, the palate seemed tight, somewhat austere, and rather light, again showing a lot of dark ripe fruits and earthiness, a touch rustic, yet fresh and balanced, and overall, pleasant.

After 40 minutes, it revealed a different profile with riper and juicier dark fruits, more opulence and fullness in the attack and the mid-palate, with a certain elegance, good acidity, focus, and balance, as well as more amplitude, structure, and texture in the mid-palate, leading toward a nice lingering finish, with earthy, savory (umami) and salty nuances, and that omnipresent smoky note. A nice and well-crafted wine I must say.  


Yet, on a more personal note...

Although I liked its ripeness, fulness, savory edges, and earthiness, and despite its overall complexity, ampleness, and texture, I wish (or let's say that I was expecting) it had more concentration, volume, and especially more depth to offer in the finish, as I still found it rather up-front for my taste. 

Some of you might say that this wine is "full, ripe, elegant and refined", and I will agree in some ways, even if I usually think that using this specific wording (elegant and refined) is, unfortunately, often used (by many) as a good excuse when a wine lack concentration. Yet, I think it is offering a lot up-front and in the mid-palate but somehow seems to thin out in the back end (maybe it is just me).  

You know, in the same way, some people use the wording "classic style" or "traditional style" for wines that are often edgy, hard, rustic, thin, too acidic, and/or too tannic (e.g., in Bordeaux in lesser vintages).

However, this is not the case here as the fruit is rather ripe and full, and the mouthfeel is generous and ample as I mentioned above. I like the wine a lot. Yet, from past experiences of other "Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru" drank on many occasions these past 12 years (and since the beginning of my career 31 years ago), to my taste, it is still missing a "je ne sais quoi" (as we say in French). 

I felt that it left me hanging in the finish.  I was wondering if it will develop a little more with time (after a few hours of opening), but no, it did not.  And, as we say in French, "je suis resté sur ma faim" meaning that it did not totally quench my thirst nor my expectation, even if, after all, it remains a very good, interesting, and enjoyable wine to taste and drink. 

It is a wine with a certain savory (umami) charm.  😁👍🍷🍷🍷    

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom


NB: Burgundy Prices...


(*) What really justifies the huge differences of x2 x4 or even x8 in prices for wines coming from the same vineyard? 

More, especially knowing that “Charmes Chambertin” is one of the largest "Grand Cru", with a surface of about 30 hectares of vines, and more than 60+ different Domaines and négociants producing it. 

So, what really plays into it to justify such differences? Notoriety? Reputation? Name? Historic? Tradition? Culture? Seniority? Cellar management and élevage? Vineyard management? All the above probably... (sigh)

I mean if you divide 30 hectares by more than 60+ producers (Domaines and Negociants together), that's less than 1/2 hectare per producer.   

So, if, Burgundy encompasses about 30,000 hectares, and produces an average of about 200 million bottles, it roughly means, hypothetically speaking, an average of 6666 bottles per hectare (and 3333 bottles per 1/2 hectare).  

So, if, still hypothetically speaking, each of the 60+ producers of Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru produces roughly 3330 bottles from the same vineyard, with "roughly" the same terroir, same geographic and topographic location, same exposure, climate and micro-climate, and same or similar environmental influences, then the only things left are the "savoir-faire" (knowledge, competences, and skills) and the methods applied to the few rows of vines they are tending, then the vinification methods and aging processes they use, which, I admit, can be drastically different and have huge differences in cost, ok, but still... 

As per Wine-Searcher, the most expensive Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru is made by Jacky Truchot and sells for about HKD38,280 (average), while the cheapest is Laroze de Drouhin LD, who sells it for HKD946 (average), that's roughly x40 times less expensive... 40 times.... (sigh)     

Dom 


@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein @domainehumbertfreres #domainehumbertfreres #charmeschambertin #grandcru #burgundy #france #frenchwines #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #winebuyer #greatlineup #greatwines 



Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

Thursday, February 9, 2023

LeDomduVin: "Envie d’Hiver", or the illusion of Instagram pictures, and Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2008

 




"Envie d’Hiver", 
or the illusion of Instagram pictures, 
and Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2008



Winter in Hong Kong can be gloomy and depressing, cold, and usually covered by a thick, immovable blanket of grey clouds. So, I thought it to be amusing to start this post with a catchy French title "Envie d'Hiver", which translates as "longing for winter", while I actually feel the total opposite.

I'm not a winter person, except maybe when in the mountains, skiing and having a good time, (which I have not done in a long time), and thus, I cannot wait for winter to be over already. In fact, I'm like a "Marmotte". I could hibernate for 3 months straight to escape winter and wake up with spring, no problem.

The only good thing about winter, despite the magical sight of snow, the fireplace's heat, and hot chocolate, is the craving for comfy, earthy, fulfilling, and utterly satisfying food and wine, to warm up your body and brighten up your mood.

And the great thing about food and wine is that they both bring people together, and enhance conversations, with smiles and laughter, resulting in happy moments and good memories. That's why I love working with wine and love my job, as opening a bottle is always a good excuse to meet people and share a moment.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure to meet Florian (@donvolnay) and Melanie (a young intern in his company), two sympathetic and ambitious young wine lovers, who brought this bottle of Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion 2008, one of my favorite Bordeaux, making our meeting even more enjoyable.

After enjoying each other's company, while drinking a glass of this succulent wine, they left the rest of the bottle with me to bring it home.

 





Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac Leognan 2008

Average Market Price HKD 2,150 ( Euros 256 / USD 274)

Respectively on the nose and palate, the wine boasted aromas and flavors of plum, dark fruits, licorice, earth, and graphite, with light oaky nuances. The palate is forward, opened, generous, and layered with ripe dark fruits and earthy tones, friendly even if somewhat a bit austere, yet nicely balanced between the fruit, the acidity, and the present and firm yet integrated tannins, bringing both structure and texture. Agreeably coating the palate thru the lingering finish. What a lovely wine!

It was very much appreciated and drank beautifully. Thank you, Florian.

In fact, I must say that, from recent experiences, it seems that many 2008 vintage Bordeaux are opening and drinking beautifully now.  

In confidence, I will say that it is normal, (in my opinion), for both, Chateau Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion, as they are not wines to drink in their youth, as they usually take about 15 years minimum to open and start to fully express themselves and continue to defy time for decades with their great aging potentials. I love them both.          

 






So, what does "the illusion of Instagram pictures" has to do with it?

Well, I wanted to take a picture for my IG account, but the bottle with the glass alone seemed boring. 

So, I added the cans of Cassoulet (one of my favorite winter comfy foods). That's all I had on hand to make the picture more interesting and appealing. Yet, I must say that is definitely not the best food-wine pairing, as something heartier from the Southwest of France, like a Cahors (Malbec) or a Madiran (Tannat), would have been a much better pairing with the Cassoulet and its "Saucisses de Toulouse".   

I also added the book to create a dark, cozy background, set the ambiance, and enhance the wine. Except that, (and I’m sure the connoisseur noticed it), "Grand Cru" (by Remington Norman) is about Burgundy Grand Crus, and thus has nothing to do with Bordeaux. 

Yet, the book title "Grand Cru" was an "echo" (a "wink" or a "metaphor" if you prefer) to "La Mission Haut-Brion", which is often considered as the "6th" "Premier Grand Cru Classé", and/or, often referred to as a "Grand Cru Classé", while it is a "Cru Classé de Graves".

And that's how, very often, Instagram pictures are set up with things that are not related and/or have nothing to do with each other, but seem to fit together, creating the perfect illusion of a good picture with items that are related and belong with each other, while the reality is otherwise.      

However, look at this picture again. The wine + the cans + the book make for a comfy and somewhat sophisticated illusion of a wintery ambiance, doesn't it? 

Cheers! Santé!

Dom


@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #vin #wine #vino #wein @chateaulamissionhautbrion #chateaulamissionhautbrion #lamissionhautbrion #grandcru #grandcruclasse #graves #pessacleognan #greatwine #sommelier #winebuyer #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob #wineinlife #lifeinwine



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Thursday, February 2, 2023

LeDomduVin: I don't do dry February, either, even if there are only 28 days !!!


I don't do dry February either, even if there are only 28 days!!!

Cheers ! Santé !

Dom 😉😁🤣🤣🤣👍🍷🍷🍷

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #wine #vin #vino #wein #drinkwine #drinksomewine #lesmemesadom #lesmessagesadom #lescreationsadom #joke #blague #idontdodryfebruaryeither #nodrymonth