Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)
Richebourg Pinot Noir 2017
DRC Richebourg 2017: A fragrance untainted by the world～
The 2017 DRC Richebourg is a perfume explosion—a captivating interplay of woody clove and spice, both flamboyant and impeccably controlled. As we tasted, I asked my friends if they knew of a perfume that echoed this wine's aroma. They replied they had never come across one, but would purchase it without hesitation if they did. To my nose, the closest relative would be L'Artisan Parfumeur’s Dzongkha.
It offers that bracing, airy coolness with smoky, peppery spices, laced with the subtle sweet-herbaceous touch of magnolia and clove—reminiscent of the complex scent that washes over you the moment you push open the massive door of an ancient, solitary temple: the crisp, thin air of the high altitudes meeting the first ethereal wisp of incense smoke. Then unfolds layers of ancient wood, the dust of old books, musk, and earthy vetiver. The overall character is intensely crystalline, spiritual, and weightless—evoking visions of high plateaus and vast wilderness, of isolated lamaseries. Some DRCs also possess a temple-like quality, but theirs is a temple down here among us, bustling with devotees and heavy with the common smoke of popular devotion— a more earthly presence. — 7 months ago
Pierre Brisset
La Combe Aux Moines Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2015
This bottle tastes a bit bitter when opened. I'm not sure if it's due to storage issues. It's a 15-year-old wine, but the color is rather pale and the aroma is not rich enough. It's not particularly impressive. — 8 months ago
Charles Noëllat
Richebourg Grand Cru Pinot Noir 1976
Charles Noellat 1976 Richebourg
Each bottle opened is one less in existence; without it, there would be no subsequent legends of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti or Henri Jayer.
Aged yet remarkably robust—it’s surprising how well this bottle has been preserved.
· After opening for half an hour: notes of honey, dried rose petals, and dried preserved fruits.
· After an hour: aromas of red dates, cinnamon, and a hint of spices.
· Overall impression: The fruit profile still dominates, with no woody notes emerging. The structure of Richebourg remains present, showing a rounded, ripe fruit character.
The year 1976 was renowned for its "hot, dry summer." The growing season offered ideal conditions—plenty of sunshine, high temperatures, and almost no damage from hail or other severe weather. These conditions led to perfect grape ripening. The wine is full-bodied and lush, with mature, soft tannins and very ripe, almost jam-like red fruit flavors (such as ripe cherry and strawberry jam). It still has aging potential, and this bottle retains well-balanced acidity.
What’s more, 1976 saw the famous "Judgment of Paris"—a tasting that broke the myth of the Old World’s invincibility, reshaped the hierarchy of the wine world, and established New World regions (especially California) on the international stage. It truly shows how fascinating blind tastings can be!
Next time, I’d love to try a 1976 California wine and compare the experience. — 6 months ago
Jules Desjourneys
Vignes de la Côte Pouilly-Fuissé Chardonnay 2017
Jules Desjourneys – the Coche-Dury of the Mâcon region.
Jean-Marc Vincent's extreme dedication and philosophy towards winemaking are truly moving.This bottle was only 500 HKD, yet it rivals the village-level wines from Burgundy's most famous domaines or the premier crus from second-tier producers.
I first tasted it at a three-Michelin-starred *table* in Paris. The sommelier recommended it as an "insider's wine," known among those in the know for its ultimate quality-to-price ratio, often called a "hidden gem" or "a critic's secret" on the market.
My Tasting Note:
The second time I enjoyed it was in Hong Kong, where I shared several bottles with friends as a casual table wine. To our delight, it was universally praised. After just half an hour of opening, it revealed aromas of petite white flowers and clove; On the palate, it was complex with flavors of white peach, clementine, and yeasty brioche. The acidity was precise and refined, with excellent concentration and a rich mineral drive that showcased the pedigree of a truly good wine. — 6 months ago
Moët & Chandon
Cuvée Dom Pérignon Brut Champagne Blend 1983
Look at this mesmerizing color!
I’ve opened two bottles of Dom Pérignon 1990 before—one of them was in excellent condition, with rich brioche and yeasty notes. If not for the faint remaining bubbles, it could almost pass for an aged Bâtard-Montrachet.
This time, I opened a 1983 vintage, and this bottle has been kept perfectly—the fill level is high, with no oxidation. Upon opening, the tertiary aromas were enchanting: toffee, smoky notes, coffee, and a touch of mineral coolness, like standing on a rain-soaked Scottish cliff in the middle of a downpour.
After 30 minutes, secondary aromas emerged, adding layers of complexity: warm brioche and a hint of aged cheese. It felt like the sky had cleared after the rain—like stepping into a Scottish horse ranch, the tones warming up just like the wine’s golden hue, exuding creamy, toasted nuttiness.
Primary fruit aromas were gone, but the interplay of secondary and tertiary notes was already captivating enough. A well-preserved old Champagne like this is always a delightful surprise. I love its golden, diamond-like brilliance, its rich texture, and its perfectly balanced acidity. The more I drank, the more I craved—now I regret not buying an extra bottle. — 8 months ago
Pascal Hénin
Blanc Comme Neige Extra Brut Edition Bur Artist Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay
This new-release champagne is bursting with fruity aromas, featuring the crispness of green apples blended with notes of orange peel. It offers the fresh sweetness of white pears and a hint of clove, complemented by a bright acidity reminiscent of lemon zest and a subtle mineral undertone. Most notably, the label is extremely charming, making this a highly affordable grower champagne. — 6 months ago
Domaine Armand Rousseau
Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Pinot Noir 1996
1996 Domaine Armand Rousseau Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
Clos de la Roche, situated in Morey-Saint-Denis, is the most renowned and the largest Grand Cru vineyard of the village. Its terroir is consequently exceptional, yielding wines with striking acidity, remarkable concentration, and a structure that is powerful yet displays extraordinarily refined tannins. It is often considered one of Burgundy's most compelling wines, masterfully combining power with elegance.
The style neither mirrors the robust, muscular, and overtly powerful character typical of its northern neighbour, Gevrey-Chambertin, nor does it precisely replicate the extreme perfume, elegance, and delicacy that define its southern neighbour, Chambolle-Musigny. Instead, Clos de la Roche is the quintessential synthesis of strength and finesse—boasting a solid backbone alongside intricate depth of aroma and texture. Thanks to its pronounced acidity, one should not open a bottle without allowing for at least 15 years of ageing.
Upon opening, after 30 minutes the nose offered aromas of ripe black cherry, wild strawberry, sour plum, rose, and violet. After an hour, further notes of truffle, forest floor, leather, and spice developed. However, the minerality I expected remained elusive.
The bottle's condition was unfortunately not optimal. It lacked the sustained aromatic evolution and explosive bouquet I had anticipated. This fatigue and muted character were likely a result of its shipment from the United States. — 6 months ago
Henri Jayer
Cros-Parantoux Réserve Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Pinot Noir 1988
Henry Jayer certainly live up to his name!
The wine possesses a profound, healing, oriental herbal bouquet. It's not like fresh mint or basil; it's more like opening a traditional apothecary cabinet filled with premium Chinese Angelica Root (Dāngguī), Astragalus (Huángqí), and dried lily bulbs, or walking through a damp forest after the rain, with scents of ginseng, licorice root, and dried citrus peel warming the air, all interwoven with the luxurious undertones of black truffle and moist earth. It's an aroma that evokes serenity, warmth, and nourishment.
Upon first opening, it presented an aroma of traditional Chinese herbs. After breathing in the glass for half an hour, the wine truly began to unfold, releasing intense notes of red fruits, woody fragrances, and those distinctive herbal nuances. The body is a remarkable fusion of elegance and power. Despite its age, the 1988 vintage retains a finely structured and layered profile, with a clean palate and velvety, silky-smooth tannins. The finish is exceptionally long, evoking the delicate scent of morning dew on bamboo leaves. Overall, it’s an utterly captivating wine that leaves one truly enchanted.
— 7 months ago
Domaine Takahiko
Yoichi-Nobori Passetoutgrain Aihara Pinot Noir Gamay 2015
Takahiko Soga Yoichi Nobori 2015
Domaine Takahiko has two main product lines:
- Nana-tsu-mori: Made from estate-grown Pinot Noir.
- Yoichi-Nobori: Sourced from purchased grapes, usually blends.
This Passetoutgrain is a Pinot Noir and Gamay blend (they also have another cuvée, Ô Lie- a Pinot Noir and Zweigelt blend—which I haven’t tried yet).
My Experience with Nana-tsu-mori
I’ve tried two vintages, both underwhelming:
- 2021: Opened with a distinct animalic/funky note(like barnyard), not the cleanest, but the flavors were interesting—red fruit and a chilly, austere vibe.
- 2018(bought in Japan): Watery and collapsed, with no structure. No idea what went wrong.
Yoichi-Nobori 2015 – A Better Experience
- Aromas: Fragrant at opening, though the bouquet faded after ~2 hours.
- Appearance: Classic natural wine hue, similar to Domaine Prieuré Roch.
- Palate:
- No wateriness(a big plus!).
- Rich fruit, well-structured and layered-like sour plum soup with a hint of licorice and mint.
- A touch of greenness, followed by umami on the finish.
- Acidity:Moderate, well-integrated.
Final Thoughts
This domaine’s wines are hit-or-miss, wildly inconsistent. Given their secondary market prices(which rival grand cru Burgundy), they’re only worth buying at allocation prices. — 8 months ago
Her Mir Tage
1955 Giacomo Conterno Barolo (Ditta) – The "Great Emperor"
Appearance: The wine unfurls in the glass with a majestic, deep garnet core that gracefully fades into a wide brick-orange rim—the unmistakable heraldry of seven decades of life. It is perfectly clear and luminous, promising a profound experience.
Nose (Aroma): The aromatic profile is a walk through an ancient, sacred forest after the rain. It opens with a deep sense of humid earth, fungal truffle, and a subtle, refined smoked leather. As it opens, a beautiful core of blueberry compote and dried dark fruits emerges, intertwined with a complex tapestry of Chinese medicinal herbs and dried florals. It is both powerful and hauntingly ethereal.
Palate (Taste): The palate is a breathtaking journey into umami and complexity. True to the legend, the fruit has transformed into an intense medley of sweet preserved fruit (dried apricot, date). This is immediately met with a profound savory depth: a distinct salted Chinese preserved plum character provides a mouthwatering salinity, while a fine dusting of astragalus root powder and angelica root brings an authentic, warming medicinal bitterness that defines the wine’s regal structure. A hint of spicy dried ginger soda lingers on the mid-palate, adding a lift of unexpected freshness.
Acidity & Structure: The acidity is the heartbeat of this wine—sustained, mellow, and incredibly refined. It does not jab but rather flows continuously, carrying the dense, dried flavors across the palate with remarkable energy. The tannins have fully resolved into a silken, powdery texture, leaving nothing but harmony.
Finish: The finish is eternal, echoing with notes of dried citrus peel, forest floor, and a final whisper of sweet tobacco and herbs. A truly humbling experience; this is not merely a wine, but a living artifact of time, worthy of the title "Great Emperor." — 15 days ago