Sassicaia 2008 - 頑固的小石顆

翻閱一下自己的手機photostream便深知不妙!

每年說要儲錢，諸多克制自己買酒的預算，還說一定要記述，否則喝過也忘記。我在最近4個月喝過的二百多瓶酒，只寫過一篇，真對不起它們呢。雖然很多短短的描述，總比忘記甚麼回憶都沒有好。

在新年喝的一瓶：

意大利四大酒王之一 Sassicaia- 譯為「西施佳雅」(音：沙色咖也），幻想婀娜多姿的西施，甚有詩意。

主要成份為Cabernet Sauvignon 跟Cabernet Franc。一貫Tuscany特色。較短暫的歷史(1944年起),加上獨特的定位，它獲得唯一有自家酒莊名稱的DOC - Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, 令這酒王一炮而紅，獨當一面。

2008 年份被譽為近10年來3個最出色之一（其餘為2001與2004年),榮獲 Tre Bicchieri，cingue grappolirating from Duemilavini, annual guide of Association of Italian Sommeliers等推介。

呈深紅寶石色, 濃厚的黑醋，布冧味，香氣還是緊閉。酒身中性，酸性為主，果味更飽滿，豐碩的土壤味道。開了半小時，單寧依然硬身。再過了個半小時，單寧才軟化，就像頑固，倔強的孩童，大器晩成。

高峰期到時，果馥香氣洋溢，更帶出紫羅蘭及香料等味，為此酒添上複雜性(complexity)，可恨是我們已完成正餐。幸而在享用甜品時尚可點一份半溶Camerbert cheese ，剛合時。

回家後查閱Robert Parker 酒評："Readers who can afford to wait will be treated to a sublime wine once this settles down in bottle. " 又一例子證明開瓶時間的重要性。

　　Sassicaia 西施佳雅 2008

　　酒園：Tenuta San Guido

　　等級：Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC

　　葡萄品種：Cabernet Sauvignon 85% Cabernet Franc 15%

　　酒精度：13.5%

　　評分：RP96 / WS94

       適飲期：2018-2038

       購自： $1380 from anonymous uncle

BYOB Blind Tasting #1 - Pinot Noir at Twyst

To learn tasting the truth of each grape, blind tasting would be the best way.We did prepare well by wrapping our bottle with aluminium foil. Special thanks to our waiter who help us recording the numbering of the bottle so that we can't tell the wine even from the wrapping of it. Now you know why I desperately look for free corkage restaurant. Let me know if you have any.

After this fascinating and extraordinary event that wow my friends and I, I decided to hold this event regularly called BYOB - Bring your own bottle where I setup the topic every time and a limit to the blind tasting bottle so that the more people we have, the wider range we can share.

帝苑酒店意大利餐廳Sabatini – 還是麵食實際

虛構一個名目，說是為了送別親友。說穿了，都是品嚐美食罷了。

人生當所有東西都有了限額，要求便會提高，總不能對食物敷衍了事。因此為親友選了城中著名的帝苑酒店Royal Garden – Sabatini.

傳統意大利西西里式裝修，名貴皮革沙發、各地烈酒、雞尾調酒列在車架上，還有經典的菲律賓Band隊駐場，腦袋告訴我，今晚要吃一頓傳統的意大利菜才配得上這環境。

是晚品酒列如下：

Flaccianello Della Pieve  2007 – Tuscany

Carrusades de Lafite 1996 – Pauillac

Carpene Malvolti Cuvee Brut – Prosecco

Keep Fit with Wine #1 – Sacchetto Prosecco with Sardine Sandwich

Sardine Sandwich (Total: $23.4)

- 2 pieces of Bread with light butter spread ($2.3)

- 1 tomato sliced ($2.4)

- Half cucumber sliced ($1.8)

- Half tin of Sardine fish in olive oil ($16.9)

Sacchetto Prosecco Spumante Extra Dry DOC ($68 Park’n Shop)

- Finer bubble than cava

- Limy nose

- Pear and peachy palate

- Sweeter than normal sparkling

Marriage: ***

-  Quite a good marriage, the savory fish and the hint of sweetness in prosecco cooperate well in palate.

-  The wine getting a bit acidic and bitter almond after 30 mins.

More about Sacchetto Prosecco:

This is from a region in Italy called Veneto. Sacchetto is a town where the Prosecco is most famous from. The most famous brand is Cantine Sacchetto. Prosecco could only be called Prosecco if they are produced in Veneto, same restriction as Champagne in France. They meant to be drink early and part of its fermentation process is done outside bottle, which makes the sparkling cost way lower.

Lunch time, cheers~

Wine of the day #03 - Chianti Classico DOCG Borgo Salcetino 2007

In a petit supermarket, a place which suppose with assorted wine just displaying on rack covered with dust...Treasure is always beneath.
DOCG wine from Toscana company our family for a lousy instant noodle dinner...now who is insulting who?

Location: Lucarelli in municipal administration of Radda in Chianti.
Weather: Fine weather at the crucial final stage of grape ripening allowed producers to harvest at optimum ripeness, risking a little extra hang-time if necessary. Generally, the grapes were extremely healthy, with yields down 10% on the average.
Terrior: Lime, clay, sand

Grape: 95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo
Class: DOCG
Ageing: 6 - 10 years.

Observe: clear, long tears, white rim, ruby color, pinkish edge
Nose: slightly declining of animal fat, strong shade of red fruit, light vanilla hint.
Palate: slight acidic, refreshing. Medium - length. Medium + alcohol. Petroleum carried over the tongue,  cherry-red fruits, fruity, spice
Food match: Goat cheese, grilled red meat, game

Source: Park'n Shop
Price: $149
Worth: Worth buying

Link: http://www.livon.it/eng/home.htm

Wine of the day #01 - Prosecco Fossato

Don't envy. Yes, this is an extra dry sparkling wine from Umbrio -- Prosecco. Goes well with Chinese dish. Slightly creamy, sizzling in the mouth. Not too citrus. Excellent with so-called weird chinese food like preserved egg "皮蛋".

This wine unlike champagne, adopting charmat method, 2nd fermentation under stainless steel, less expensive in production. No wonder, it looks like the $2xx - $3xx wine, it's cost is around $70!!! It is one of Bellini's component as well.



Dominantly for local consumption. In recent 2-3 years, they are also available for production in new world countries such as Argentina, Brazil etc.

Prosecco can appear in another form -- CAN. They will be called Frizzante instead. Il Paese that I introduced previously also have these Can sizzling wine available.

Gathering 3: Italian Wine Gallery - Wine & Oyster "Buffet"

Nil promotion at Langham Hotel. Worth me an hour to search online for more information on this randon invitation from my colleagues & wine buddies. Afterall, it is only a soft opening of the event through the tea buffet in lobby lounge.

$258 + 10% including 10 italian wines including parma ham platter.

Artist, Artist, Artist. Despite pondering the museum and exhibitions, how often can you appreciate their paintings? Yes, you can still amaze yourselves through wine bottles with those capture of paintings. They are neither forged nor street hawkers' kinda thing. They are just representing fushion of arts: Wine & Arts.

1. Casntina Tollo "Madregale" Bianco Terre di Chieti IGT 2008

    (90% Chardonnay 10% Trebbiano) Abruzzo

    Quite flat and thin.. Typical Chardonnay.

Paired with Irish Rock Oyster ($38)

- Oyster itself is slightly sweet and creamy. Wine looks crispy and acidic when matched with this oyster

2. Cantina San Marziano "Trefili" Pinot Grigio IGT 2009

     (Pino Grigio) Veneto)

    Very Acidic,  long aftertaste, ends with a vanilla touch. Stronger character than the first.

3. Caruso e Minini "Terre di Giumara" Grecanico Sicilia Bianco IGT 2008

    (Grecanico) Sicilia

    Sicily is not very famous for growing vineyard, therefore it's really rare to drink this kind of wine grape.

    Crisp and green nose, apple note.

Paired with Tasminia oyster ($38)

- Similar to what I had in Tasmania. Savoury, juicy and creamy petit oyster.

4. La Stoppa "Ageno" Malvasia Biane Emilia IGT 2005

    (60% Malvasia Aromatico  20% Ortuga 20% Trebbiano) Emilia- Romagna

   Faulty Wine. Misty body, strong hint of rubber & cork, tea colour. Mould flavour, sweet.

   First time notify the fault wine. Yeah~

5. Toscolo 2005 Chianti Classico

85% Sangiovese 10% Cabernet Sauvignon 5% Merlot

Wood, leath, peppery. Dry acidic, strong tannin, can last a bit longer, for aging. (oh, DOCG~)
In the middles, we are served with the parma ham platter, cheese and so on...

6. Castello Romitorio Morellino di Scansano DOCG 2007

    85% Sangiovese 15% Cab Sauvignon) Toscana

Celery (My fds don't believe me, it's like celery juice!!!) Opened for too long, therefore a bit bitter cherry

flavour, nothing like the description...

Only the DOC / DOCG wine with paintings

Warm tone, family, calmness. Sight depicting with hope yet doubt with uncertainty. Still, the family has the tendency towards future driven by their curiosity. The masculinity shown in the painting match with the structure of the wine. The leather and tannin indicate how much the wine can age, just like the bonding of the family.

7. Castello Romitorio Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2007

Strong scent of blackberries & leather; Strong balance, velvet finish. I am very sensitive to leather as I often caught in the dilemma of it. I hate the note, yet I somehow know that leather would lead to nice and balance wine...

Painting indicates the brother twins setting on a boat escorting their little brother away from stormy wave.

The booklet describes it expresses the tradition is the base to groom the innovation. Just like those baby industry needs protection from the foundation industry and open policy.

The little brother is the symbol of the wine.

My thought would be it's the young wine struggling for survival from the tradition yet have to grow under lots of criticism. Luckily protected by its heritage, it manage to get its way through.

8. Castello Romitorio "Romito del Romitorio" Sant ' Antimo Rosso DOC 2006

(60% Sangiovese Grosso 20% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Cannaiolo Nero) Toscana

Depicts hermit step out of the hermitage. 1st wine production.

Warrior from the wild, prepare to fight and he is all well equipped.

Wine: gamey, spice and tar note. Coincide with the wild, raw, and rough image on the painting.

9. Marlbourough Highfields 2007 (Replacement of out of stock Barbera D'alba)

      100% Pinot Noir Hint of licorice and red cherries. Mild body, very different style from Italian. Less rough. calm and peaceful wine.

10. Natale Verga MOscato D'Asti DOCG

      Moscato from Piemonte  All-time best wine for picking up girls~

      Flowery, honey comb. Concentrated flower scent. Bunch of citrus bubbles. Nice honey finish.

Special thanks to Geoff's recommendation and introducing us to the world of Oysters. Don't wanna dwell into another hell yet...lol See how happy we are trashing and messing around the hotel...oops...
P.S. Thanks for Sze's photos

Italian Night - Dec 09

Italian Wine World – Conventional Wine World, yet its spark is often concealed by its neighbour – France.
This time we shall give it a chance to overthrow the century.

Oliver Wine 

Cascina Bruni Moscato d'asti $161

Caldora Abruzzo $128

Cascina Bruni Barbaresco $375

Masi Campofiorin $187

Barbera D’alba 2004 $158

Il Paese Canapes

Cheese Platter: Ham / Sausage Platter:
Provolone Piccante vs  Toscan Ham
Raschera vs Speck Asiago
Manchego vs Salami Nerone
Meatball Spaghetti

1st Wine: Barbera D’alba 2004

Flowery nose. Plummy. Jammy flavour. This is my favourite pick from last year’s Hong Kong Wine Festival. With less than $160, it is an outperforming other wine displayed that day. Well structured and balanced. Ready to drink.

2nd Wine: Caldora Abruzzo

Peppery and acidic. Not too well balanced. Overall speaking, still Barbera d'alba & Barbaresco are preferred.

3rd Wine: Cascina Bruni Barolo

Stronger structure than all other 3 wines. DOCG. Complex truffle flavour. Garnet with red rim. Wild berries, licorice and spicy finish. Strong tannin. Need time to mature

4th Wine: Masi Campofiorin

Masi is the brand strongly recommended by the supermarket sales, due to its price and according to our preference of strong fruity flavour. It pairs up quite well with the cheese platter, especially the Manchego, the wonderful marriage that stands out the cheese from the others.

Last Wine: Masi Moscato d'asti

Impressive. Easy drinking. Strong honey comb mixing with vanilla, yet refreshing and crispy. No wonder it has been depicted as the jewellery of woman.

However it is not a fair match with the icecream pie strongly recommended by the openrice supporters. Perhaps the dried fruits “engraved” in the ice-cream Spianata Piccante were not too juicy to be mitigated into the moscato. It turns out we prefer drinking moscato alone.

The fun of wine gathering is that everyone are trying to share their thoughts and opinion of the same bottle; exploring the flavours, ultimately confirming with the buddies who are sharing the same glass. Food matching is like putting different puzzles together and you’ll discover millions of combinations that will surprise you at the end.

Dip of the Christmas - Visner di Pergola & Biscotti

Thanks for the family gathering last weekend.

Nice bungalow at Lantau Island: with freezing swimming pool, cute doggie called "lily -_-", lots of cheese, wine, my Vietnamese coffee, and most importantly my family members and family friends~

It is my first time enjoying the homemade Italian Christmas Dinner. Aunt Jeannie and her son came to Hong Kong for celebration with us. Bringng along the pandoro, making italian salad, serving the crackers with brie, blue cheese, chaubier cheese; italian style chicken wings...

Aunt Jeannie brought a yellow package biscotti with hint of lemon zest. She introduces the pairing with Visner di Pergola.

Visner di Pergola - A dessert wine with strong hint of wild berries, dominated by cranberry smell. Sense of twigs. The taste is unique! Scented and sweet.

Pairing is not just drinking wine and bitting the biscotti. It'sssss Dipping the biscotti into the wine, the dry and spongy body of biscotti will absorb the wine to become red biscotti. The harmony of biscotti and wine is bringing another revolution to the mouth. Perfect Match.

Gluttony, starting from here.

(p.s. my dad got the remaining back. Anybody interested please let me know, I can bring to share :P)