Really Expensive Wine Dinner (27/8/09)

To celebrate the arrival of D's first born son, we had this most amazing gathering at Hoi King Heen.  All the wines were supposed to be at least $1,500! 

The Doyard Collection de l'An 1 Blanc de Blancs Champagne 1996 actually did not fit this category, but was brought as an extra bottle.  Nevertheless, it compared well with its more expensive peers with fresh citrus, yoghurt flavours and full of character.

The Bollinger RD Extra Brut Champagne 1996 was still quite tight and green.  The fruit was in the core.  Perhaps it needed more time, both to mature in bottle and to open up once uncorked.

Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill Brut Champagne 1996 was light golden in colour.  Noticably more forward than the previous.

Jean Chartron Chevalier-Montrachet Clos des Chevaliers 2007:  Potentially a great wine, but very green now. 

Michel Colin-Deleger Chevalier-Montrachet 2002:  Nicely mature and balanced.

Dom. Ponsot Clos de la Roche VV 2000:  Still tannic after opened for a few hours.  Rather full body with great fruit though.

Serafin Charmes-Chambertin 1997:  More mature and elegant.  Good red cherry aromas with a medium body.

Jacques-Frederic Mugnier Chambolle-Musigny 1993:  Did I even try this?  Have a feeling that we were not really tasting these gems attenetively enough.

Surprised to see that the Ch. Margaux 1999 being the only Bordeaux wine tonight.  Local connoisseurs seem to have switched their attention to Burgundy.  This wine had a deep ruby colour.  Aromas of cedar wood and black fruits on the nose.  Dry with sturdy tannins and a full body.  Good length.  Needs time nevertheless.

Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris SGN Trie Speciale 2002, Clos Jebsal, Turckheim:  Medium amber colour.  Rich honey on the nose.  Sweet on the palate balanced by good acidity.  Full body with a lingering finish.  Most memorable wine tonight.

It's hard to concentrate with so many stars on the table this evening.  Better off just sitting down with only one or two of them at a time.