LeDomduVin: Decanting Château L'Evangile 2000

Decanting Château L'Evangile 2000, 

Pomerol, Bordeaux, France 

by @ledomduvin

Yesterday, I opened, decanted, and served a bottle of Château L'Evangile 2000 at a private lunch. A video was made while I was decanting it. 

So, once again, I decided to explain a bit what I was doing and the different steps of the decanting process. 

It makes the video more interesting, informative, and educative in my opinion. Hope you'll enjoy it, and thank you for watching. 

And, a big thank you to Karen for making this video, much appreciated. 

Watch the video on YouTube at  https://youtu.be/OVMgBHYuNSE  or directly below. 

💥Work in progress.  Full tasting notes and other details coming soon... 💥

Santé! Cheers! 

Dom (aka LeDomduVin) 

#ledomduvin @LeDomduVin  #lesvideosadom #lesphotosadom #decanter #decantation #decanting #wine #vin #vino #wein @chateaulevangile #chateaulevangile #chateauevangile #pomerol #bordeaux #france #wineknowledge #wineeducation #education #sharingknowledge #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 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: Ladies Wines

Ladies' wines

Last night, I had the pleasure to serve these beautiful wines to a table of Ladies, who enjoyed them very much (hence the title of this post) 😉😁👍🍷

Pretty proud of the little selection I made, as it went really well with the menu, and they were really pleased in the end. The only hiccup was the Chateau Haut-Brion 2016, which was way too young and tight, and only opened toward the end of the dinner, after nearly 3 hours of decanting. 

Fortunately for me, as, when I first served it, the host looked at me with those eyes saying out loud, yet without saying a word, how wrong it was of me to have chosen this particular wine in such a young vintage. And, if the wine did not open up at some point, the mood of the dinner and the host would have been seriously different. Phew...😅😅😅

2003 Dom Perignon Vintage Brut Rosé Champagne

Estimated retail price HKD 3,700  /  Euros 450  /  USD 472

At the opening, the nose was off-putting, sour and dusty, smelling almost like a sewer. It was weird. I pour myself a little bit to examine and taste it. Deep and intense pink salmon color, with ripe onion skin nuances. A few minutes later, the weird smell had vanished to give way to ripe strawberry and red berries aromas mingling with floral scents and limestone mineral hints. To my surprise the palate was much better than the nose, offering expressive flavors of red berries (raspberry, strawberry) and cherries, mixed with floral and mineral notes, nicely expanding from beginning to end, quite rich and substantial, yet with enough acidity to keep the focus and freshness in check. Well done.    

It was a nice surprise, I must say, as 2003 was a very warm, unprecedented hot vintage (I should say), characterized by a long summer heatwave that impacted most of the wine areas across France, resulting in some weird, unbalanced, and uncharacteristic wines in some regions, most notably Bordeaux (*). 

Consequently, I was happy to realize that there was still some acidity in this Dom Perignon 2003 Rosé to balance the ripeness of the fruit and bring some needed freshness/crispiness to keep the champagne focused and vibrant, thus preventing it from being dull and fat. A very interesting experience that taught me, once again, that time and wine are complexly intricated and indissociable and can make wonder together after a certain period of time, even in lesser vintages. 

This is the reason why I have always been very humble regarding my knowledge about wine, over my 30 years of career, as, you never know how surprisingly well a wine, that was originally or supposedly lesser or even mediocre, may evolve and become after many years in the bottle.      

    

(*): I have already expressed my opinion many times and wrote lengthly about Bordeaux 2003 vintage, in various posts on this blog, if interested you can read some of them here and here).     

2015 Cos d'Estournel Bordeaux Blanc

Estimated retail price HKD 1,180  /  Euros 145  /  USD 150

Pale yellow color with green nuances. Intriguing tropical nose boasting aromas of exotic fruits (pineapple, citrus, mango) and white flowers, with some oaky notes (from the barrel aging). The palate is quite generous, ample, overall well balanced, and still rather young and fresh for a 2015 white Bordeaux. A pleasant surprise here again. (...)

2018 Bachelet-Monnot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Hameau du Blagny Bourgogne

Estimated retail price HKD 590  /  Euros 72  /  USD 75

Same as last week. A delightful and sophisticated wine, racy, classy, elegant, delicate, and charming, yet ample with that glycerine sensation coating the whole palate from the beginning to the seamless long-lasting finish. Displaying a lot of buttery, popcorn notes, mingling with apple and yellow stone fruits, yellow flowers, and mineral hints. Can't get enough of it. Looooooooooove it. (...)

2016 Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Graves Bordeaux

Estimated retail price HKD 5,500  /  Euros 672  /  USD 700

It is a sacrilege to open a Haut-Brion so young. Nevertheless, it was interesting to check if it was really worth the 100pts it received by at least 5 wine critics including RP, JMQ, WE, JL, and AL. And... it is difficult to say. As the wine was so tight, it took more than 3 hours after decanting to reveal itself. (...)

🍷🍷🍷Work in progress, more complete tasting notes and other details coming soon....😅

Santé! Cheers!

Dom (aka LeDomduVin) 

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #tastingnotes #winedescriptions #wine #vin #vino #wein #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob #champagne #bordeaux #burgundy

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 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: Happy Birthday to me

Happy Birthday to me 😁👍🍺

I was supposed to be off, and enjoy today and tomorrow for myself. Unfortunately, too busy and had too many things to do, so, I had to come to work. 🙄🙄🙄🙄

After a hectic morning and prior to returning to the office, I decided to treat myself with one of the best and juiciest burgers I had in a long time, and a nice Japanese beer, at the coffee bar/roastery, on the ground floor of my office building: @thehuntcoffee. 

Loooooooooooved this burger. Highly recommended: well-seasoned beef patty, cherry tomatoes, salad, pickles, onion rings, bacon, and egg. It is called the "Hail to King Burger" and it was beyond my expectations. 😋😋😋😋 (and no, I didn't get paid, or get a discount to say that, I'm just a foodie, not an influencer 😉😁👍)

The beer was really good too. A white ale from Hitachino Nest ( @hitachinonesthk ): nice, light, fresh, crisp, easy-drinking, and not a bad pairing with the burger. Lovely. 

Too bad, I was on my own and had to go back to the office after that, yet, it was a very pleasant experience. Simple things are the best, a good burger and a beer, what else? 😁👍🍔🍺😋

Santé! Cheers! 

Dom

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #beer #burger #birthday #birthdaylunch #thehuntcoffeeandroastery #hitachinonest #anniversaire

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 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: DRC La Tâche 2012

DRC La Tâche 2012

Domaine de la Romanée Conti La Tache Grand Cru Burgundy France

Estimated Average Market Price: HKD 57,150 / Euros 6,910 / USD 7,280

Attractive, bright, pale ruby color, with pinkish, reflects. Very incentive, fresh and aromatic nose offering juicy red cherries mingling with floral, mineral, and earthy notes, as well as white pepper and spices nuances. The palate is light, crisp, fresh, gentle, and delicate, almost fragile, yet, juicy, subtly complex and layered, beautifully balanced, harmonious,  structured, and extremely long-lasting. This 2012 DRC La Tâche is as delicate, gracious, elegant, and focus as a ballerina. Loooooooove it. 

La Tâche 2012 is still very young, but it is already drinking very well. Magnificent already at the opening, it was even better after 1 hour of opening in the bottle. Very nice acidity and a  structure that will allow it to age for a few more decades.

However, this 2012 is not necessarily the most complex, rich or the most opulent vintage of La Tâche I have tasted. This vintage is rather light and delicate, thus, it will be interesting to observe its evolution, over the next 5-10 years, to really know how it will further evolve and if it will resist time after 15-20 years. 

That said, throughout my 30 years career in the wine industry, I have tasted many old vintages DRC La Tâche and Romanée Conti, that were not the best nor the ones with the most potential, and still, for each of them, to my surprise, the wine still showed really well after a few decades, and, thus, proved its capacity of endurance and resilience to time.  

It has been proven that some wines, if kept in the most ideal conditions (constant temperature, appropriate humidity level, no exposure to direct lights, not stored with odorous items, no vibrations,  etc...), and not moved for years, can slowly age forever. DRC wines are amongst these wines. 

In the picture above and below, the color looks brownish, as if the wine was old, but in reality, this wine has a beautiful and very attractive pale ruby color with pink reflections. Unfortunately, I was not able to capture the true color, due to the yellow light of the room and the background light from the sky, and the filter used for the picture. Too bad I cannot show you the correct color of this wine.  

It had been a little while since I opened and tasted a DRC wine (never for my personal consumption, I don't have the wallet to afford it 🙃), prior to serving it to its owner. And, I was really pleased and excited to be able to do it recently. 

In my 30 years career as a Sommelier, working in restaurants, retailers and for big tycoons of the corporate world, I had (and still have) the chance and privilege to negotiate, buy, sell, manage, open, taste and serve, and occasionally drink, (when invited to), many bottles of all the DRC wines, some very old vintages too. 

And, I must admit that I have always approached these wines with the utmost respect and interest and a lot of admiration. Always humbled when opening a DRC. 

I'm glad to be lucky enough to continue to open and taste such legendary wines, only accessible to a minority of people fortunate enough to be able to buy them, for me to serve them. Thank you for that.

A little video was also made, while I was opening the bottle. So, I took the opportunity to explain a little about what I was doing, like if I was doing training for staff or students. Here is the link

LeDomduVin: DRC La Tâche 2012 (video)

Or watch it directly here, if you prefer:  

A special thank you to Karen for the video. 

Santé! Cheers! Take good care of yourself and your loved ones, and remember to drink responsibly. 

Dom (a.k.a. LeDomduVin)

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #drc #DRC #domainedelaromaneeconti @domainedelaromaneeconti #latache #grandcru #monopole #burgundy #wine #vin #vino #wein #tastingnotes #wineknowledge #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 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: Last night's wines

Last night's wines...

Once again, an exciting lineup!

2014 Louis Roederer Brut Vintage Champagne France 

Estimated Average Market Price: HKD 795  / Euros 95 / USD 100

Beautifully crafted and balanced, crisp, fresh, complex, and rich in a graceful way, refined, offering subtle floral, apple, citrus zest, and yellow stone fruit aromas and flavors, mingling with gentle and enticing toasted brioche notes and mineral nuances. Really satisfying. Looooooooooove it. Recommended to drink it at cellar temperature, 11-15°C. 

*****

Petite apparté: When it comes to serving a white or a champagne/sparkling wine super cold, the general rule of thumb is that you only do it when the wine is mediocre or bad (and you have nothing else to serve instead), as serving it super cold will restraint, or even mask, its aromas and flavors, making it more subdued, and thus more palatable. As good wines, particularly very good wines, do not need to be served super cold, cellar temperature is usually perfect and recommended for the wine or champagne to fully express its potential.       

*****

2018 Bachelet Monnot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru "Hameau de Blagny" Burgundy France

Estimated Average Market Price: HKD 600  / Euros 72 / USD 76

One of my favorite white Burgundy producers of these last 5-6 years, I have always been delighted with their wines' consistent quality, balance, elegance, minerality, and overall precision. And yesterday, once again, was no exception. What a delightful and sophisticated wine, racy, classy, elegant, delicate, and charming, yet layered and ample, with that glycerine sensation coating the whole palate from the beginning to the seamless, long-lasting finish. Can't get enough of it. Looooooooooove it.

2016 Louis Latour Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru Burgundy France

Estimated Average Market Price: HKD 3,250  / Euros 390 / USD 415

Unfortunately, the bottle didn't show well. It seemed slightly oxidized, showing signs that it had evolved, presenting a weird acidity, unbalanced and not integrated. Definitely not up to Bâtard-Montrachet standard. Maybe a bad bottle, yet, strange as this wine was stored in a professional wine fridge since I bought it. It's too bad, as I bought a few cases of this specific wine for various events at the end of last year. I remember the wine being much better 6-8 months ago. I will have to open another bottle soon to ensure it was just a singular incident and that the problem does not concern/apply to the rest of the bottles I bought.   

2016 Bouchard Père et fils Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Burgundy France

Estimated Average Market Price: HKD 1,560  / Euros 187 / USD 199

Attractive aromas combining orchard fruits, floral scents, earth, and beeswax with buttery and mineral notes. The palate is relatively fresh and harmonious, aromatic, reasonably well balanced, and overall focused, yet, to my palate, it lacks a "je ne sais quoi" of presence and personality to make it better. Enjoyable but not necessarily exciting, especially at this price.  

*****

Petite apparté: Once again, I'm not going to make any friends by saying that, but, (and although I'm aware that these wines above are 3 distinctive wines made by 3 very distinctive wine producers, with their own respective terroir, winemaking methods, techniques, taste, and even personality), comparing them, confirms, (once again), my belief that (except a few exceptions maybe), great wines are (more often) made by small, conscientious, diligent, attentive to details and passionate small producers, rather than by large producers (Maisons or Domaines) and/or Négociants.  And, the same goes for Bordeaux, ranking and price do NOT make the wine nor the quality of it. I rather drink a very good Burgundy or Bordeaux for around HKD 300-600, than drink a disappointing or even bad one at HKD 1,000 or more, and clearly regret it was not worth paying such a hefty price for it.       

*****

2001 Château Brane Cantenac Margaux Bordeaux France

Estimated Average Market Price: HKD 990  / Euros 118 / USD 126

First, 2001 was a relatively low to average, complicated vintage that produced thin, restrained, tannic, astringent, and often green, herbaceous wines in Bordeaux (in general). Depending on the wine, I consider it a mediocre to lousy vintage (even if the "Bordelais" will try to tell you otherwise). In their defense, I must admit that, for some wines, the vintage 2001 has evolved and developed quite nicely, offering much better wines to drink now than in the last 2 decades. In their first decade, most 2001 Bordeaux wines were not showing well, even poorly in some cases (green, astringent, thin, lacking weight and harmony). And although some develop nicely in the last 10 years, most remain awkward, even unpleasant.

Consequently, it will be difficult for me to tell you that this Brane Cantenac is a "great" wine. Because, no, it isn't. Yet, and don't get me wrong, it remains a pleasant, so-called "Classic" (*), Margaux from a challenging vintage that has evolved (nicely in some cases as mentioned, but not for all). Yet, it remains rather thin and light and lacks complexity and depth for my palate.

(*) Call that chauvinism or ego, but instead of admitting it is not a very good vintage, Bordeaux people prefer to say and/or refer to such difficult vintage as "classic old-style" Bordeaux.  

2012 Château La Mission Haut-Brion Cru Classé des Graves Pessac-Léognan Bordeaux France

Estimated Average Market Price: HKD 1,975  / Euros 238 / USD 252

I have said it before and will repeat it, Chateau Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion are in my top 10 best Bordeaux wines, the former being the number 1  on my list, as I looooove Haut-Brion. Coming from a vintage that was also not the most simple and far from being amongst the best of the 2010s, this La Mission Haut-Brion showed some potential and boasted a crisp, fresh nose with aromas of red and dark berries mingling with floral, earthy, and herbaceous notes. In short, this wine is still young and shows some edges that may need some time to round down. Yet, overall, it is a quite aromatic, structured, and layered wine, yet medium-bodied and relatively light in sensations, despite a fairly long finish with some interesting attributes (which helps to appreciate it more). Nice. Yet again, it does not display the richness and complexity known to La Mission with better vintages.  

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #lastnightwines #wine #vin #vino #wein @louisroederer_ #louisroederer #bacheletmonnot @louislatour1797 #maisonlouislatour @bouchardpereetfils #bouchardpereetfils @chateau_branecantenac #chateaubranecantenac @chateaulamissionhautbrion #chateaulamissionhautbrion #champagne #burgundy #bordeaux

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 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: Star Wines - May the 4th be with you always

Star Wines: May the 4th be with you always 

by @ledomduvin 2022

Each year, the joke is coming back, and each year, I make an illustration or a drawing related to "Star Wars" and "May the 4th be with you", with the wine protagonists of my "Star Wines" stories: Master Yoda, Obi-Wine, Master Winedu, Padawine and more. It's fun. Looooooooooove it. 😁👍🍷

Cheers! Santé! Star Wars forever, and may the force be with you, always!  

Dom

If interested, you can check the other Star Wars and May 4th related illustrations I did for my blog in previous posts, by clicking the links below: 

https://www.ledomduvin.com/2021/05/obi-wine-kenobi-may-4th-be-with-you.html?m=1

https://www.ledomduvin.com/2021/05/mace-winedu-may-4th-be-with-you.html?m=1

https://www.ledomduvin.com/2021/05/the-padawine-may-wine-be-with-you.html?m=1

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #starwars #starwines #yoda #obiwankenobi #obiwine #wine #vin #vino #wein #lescreationsadom #lesdessinsadom #lesillustrationsadom #leshistoiresadom #maythe4thbewithyou #maytheforcebewithyou

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 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: un froid de canard...

Un froid de canard...

Confit de canard et Tartiflette ce soir, et ce ne sont pas des rumeurs 😁👍🍷

Le temps est tellement pourri ce week-end, ici à Hong Kong, qu'on aurait l'impression d'être encore en Hiver (en ce 1er Mai): gris, humide, pluvieux, triste, froid et venteux.... 

Voilà une bonne excuse pour faire un bon dernier plat d'hiver. 😁😋😋😋😋

Les rumeurs ne sont jamais bonnes, mais celles de L'Escarelle ne sont pas mauvaises du tout... et ne devrait pas être mauvais sur les cuisses de canard 😁👍🍷

L'Escarelle "Rumeurs" Méditerranée IGP 2020 

Cheers! Santé!

Dom 

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #rose #rosé #wine #vin #vino #wein #pink #provence #vindeprovence #mediterranee @chateaudelescarelle #confitdecanard #tartiflette

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 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: Rumeurs

Rumeurs...

Les rumeurs ne sont jamais bonnes, mais celles de L'Escarelle ne sont pas mauvaises du tout... 😁👍🍷

L'Escarelle "Rumeurs" Méditerranée IGP 2020 

Le premier rosé de ma caisse de 6 achetée hier. 

Bien sympathique. 

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #rose #rosé #wine #vin #vino #wein #pink #provence #vindeprovence #mediterranee @chateaudelescarelle

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 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: Rosé mood...

Rosé mood...

It is spring, and yet, another weekend with crappy weather, here in Hong Kong: grey, sad, humid, windy... 

I needed some colors and warmth, so I decided to buy some Rosé wines to brighten the mood. 

The #rosealltheway case (by "Vines and Terroirs") has a nice selection of easy drinking and quaffable Rosés:

- Château d'Astros "Amour" Côtes de Provence AOP 2020

- L'Escarelle "Rumeurs" Méditerranée IGP 2020 

- "The Lunar Collection - Harvested at Moon"  by Château d'Astros Maures IGP 2020

- "Minuit Rosé" Vendanges Noctures by Château d'Astros Côtes de Provence AOP 2020

- Château des Marres "2S" par Gartich/Benet Côtes de Provence AOP 2020

- Le Cellier de l'Amitié "Les Cavistes" Méditerranée IGP 2020

And the "Brin de Lavande" is nice too, bringing a touch of Provence into the house. 

Thank you @valentinmaurel #charlessoulisseplou @vinesandterroirs and @winest.hk for combining your skills and experience: good quality wines, great prices, and fast delivery in less than 1 hour. Looooooooooove it. 

Cheers! Santé!

Dom 

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #rose #rosé #wine #vin #vino #wein #pink #brightenthemood #needforcolors #lesphotosadom #vindeprovence #provence #méditerranée

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 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).

Labour day - Fête du travail

Bonne fête du 1er Mai!

"Un brin de muguet le 1er mai, 

un porte-bonheur pour celles et ceux que vous aimez." - Dom

Bonne fête du travail et du muguet, et n'oubliez pas dans donner à votre entourage (si vous en trouvez), c'est un petit porte-bonheur dont beaucoup auraient bien besoin en ce moment. 

Plein de bises et plein de bonnes choses. 

Dom

"Some lily of the valley on May 1st, a lucky charm for those you love." - Dom 

Happy Labor Day and Lily of the Valley Day, and don't forget to give some to those around you (if you find any), it's a little lucky charm that many would need right now. 

Lots of kisses and lots of good things.

Dom

(PS: post originally posted on my social media (i.e. IG, FB, etc...) on May 1st)  

#premiermai #mayfirst #ledomduvin @ledomduvin #muguet #laborday #lilyofthevalley #luckycharm #flowers #fetedutravail #lesmemesadom 

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 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).