The Lighthouse?

Viewed a recent broadcast reporting that there had been concerted efforts to renovate and maintain the lighthouses along the Australian coast, some of which were built more than a century ago. These lighthouses were once used to guide the routes of ships at night. With the advance of navigation technology and readily available tools such as the GPS, why then still spent money on them? The notion of preserving historic architecture and heritage of course, but we were moved to hear a modern sailor telling how the sight of a lighthouse at night offering such comfort and warmth…that finally one’s arriving home after the endurance, having overcome the hardship at sea. No GPS could remotely give you that feeling!!!

We are operating a little wine business with this rather rudimentary website. Sure, there are all the big boys out there having nice shop fronts, staff in uniform, huge inventory, may be lower prices, websites equipped with great search capabilities and tons of information. Our humble (and perhaps ambitious too) hope is that you will find us more human, be it when you come to our show room, speak to us or when reading this newsletter. There is warmth and a certain emotional, even philosophical, dimension in what we are doing. Just like the GPS cannot completely replace what the lighthouse is offering…

OK now, back to the aspect of wine, and arriving next week will be:

2009 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc (RP95) at $650/bottle – From one of the great estates of Pessac-Leognan, this Bordeaux white offers notes of white currants, melon, hints of crushed rock and a delicate zest of citrus fruits. It is just coming into the drinking window but will also keep for another 20 years.

2010 Guigal Condrieu la Doriane (WA100) at $700/bottle – Our favourite white and the Wine Advocate has given this vintage the perfect score. Rich and with depth, elegance and phenomenal purity, it gives a multi-dimensioned and a blockbuster finish. And our price may be the best anywhere.

2003 Leoville Barton (RP96) at $880/bottle – From St-Julien of Bordeaux, this is a spectacular success. A full-bodied wine with depth and richness, it should provide immense pleasure for the next 20 years.

2001 Villa Fidelia Spotoletti Rosso (WA95) at $280/bottle – Top wine from this Umbria (Italy) estate made predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon, it possesses a ripe nose of red and black fruits, supported by a dense, sensual palate that is deep and velvety.

2007 Lopez de Heredia Rioja Vina Tondonia Reserva (WA96) at $250/bottle – Medium bodied with a complex nose, this Spanish wine shows great elegance, finesse and is always a great value proposition to anybody’s cellar.

2007 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva (WA95) at $630/bottle – One of the great and more elevated Spanish Rioja names, this real gem is fresh, concentrated, powerful and having good development potential.

2015 Latum Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir (VN95) at $450/bottle – A gorgeous and compelling wine from Sonoma of California with aromatics of blood orange, sage, mint on top of the good floral notes.

We encourage you to browse our website www.vinopolis.com.hk to read our newsletters and view our wine list. And if you want some of those shown above, send us an e-mail or WhatsApp to 9195-7383. Mean time, wishing you all the best. Stay healthy and stay cheerful…