California
California is one of the most renowned wine regions in the world, known for producing exceptional wines that reflect the unique character of the region.
One of the most famous vineyards in California is the Napa Valley's Robert Mondavi Winery, which produces a range of high-quality red and white wines, including the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, the Fumé Blanc Reserve, and the Chardonnay Reserve. The estate is committed to sustainable farming practices and is known for its focus on traditional winemaking techniques.
In California, there is also a strong focus on producing organic and biodynamic wines, with vineyards such as the Frog's Leap Winery and the Benziger Family Winery using these practices to produce exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region.
Overall, California is a region known for producing exceptional wines, with famous vineyards such as Harlan Estate, Dominus, Opus One, Screaming Eagle, Robert Mondavi and many others. With a focus on sustainable and organic farming practices, and a commitment to traditional winemaking techniques, wines from California are gaining increasing recognition and popularity among wine enthusiasts worldwide.
California
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(12x75cl) 2016Vinous (96)
The 2016 Belle Cousine is another absolutely gorgeous wine in this range from Hyde De Villaine. Ripe plum, mocha, new leather, spice, menthol and grilled herbs infuse the 2016 with striking complexity. Despite its considerable appeal, the 2016 is potent and massively tannic. Time in the glass gives a good idea of what will develop in time; readers should plan on being patient. The Belle Cousine is very clearly a special wine in the making.HK$7,730.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2016 Syrah Californio Hyde Vineyard is a dense, powerful wine that remains very much within the classic style favored here. Inky dark fruit, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice, tobacco and incense add striking layers of nuance to this dark, beautifully resonant Syrah. The 2016 spent 18 months in French oak, 20% of which was new. A reduction of time in barrel by a few months really helps the purity of the fruit come through. This is a superb vintage for the Syrah.HK$11,165.00 -
Vinous (98)
The 2018 Syrah Californio Hyde Vineyard is dark and explosive in the glass. Ripe red cherry, plum, chocolate, leather and licorice open first, followed by more typical Syrah notes of black pepper, game, tobacco, incense and leather that add a striking upper register. The 2018 was done entirely with destemmed fruit, yet it has plenty of savory energy. I must admit, I am generally not the biggest fan of Syrahs from Hyde, but the 2018 is a flat-out stunner.HK$10,805.00 -
(12x75cl) 2013HK$10,735.00 -
(12x75cl) 2014HK$10,465.00 -
(12x75cl) 2016James Suckling (95)
A very fresh and vivid pinot with so much raspberry and blue fruit character. Stone and cement undertones. Blood oranges and sea shell, too. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a long, flavorful finish. A structured and flavorful red. Needs two or three years to come together.HK$12,290.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
A very solid red offering dried-strawberry, violet and cedar aromas and flavors with hints of oak. Full-bodied, firm and chewy with fantastic length and complexity. Great potential.HK$15,680.00 -
(12x75cl) 2021Vinous (98)
The 2021 Pinot Noir Ygnacia Hyde Vineyard is another magnificent wine from Hyde De Villaine. Vertical, deep and explosive, the 2021 possesses tremendous depth from start to finish. Dark red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, pomegranate and spice notes are all beautifully amplified. The 2021 was done with fully destemmed fruit, sourced from 2.5 acres planted in 2010 with four different selections. What stands out most is the wine's natural concentration.HK$11,290.00 -
(12x75cl) 2012HK$6,130.00 -
(12x75cl) 2021James Suckling (95)
This is a fantastic white with white peaches, honeysuckle, crushed stone, and mustard flower. Full and fresh with beautiful fruit and firm phenolics that give excellent texture. Some acacia. Lemon rind. Dried fruits at the end. 43% viognier, 27% marsanne, and 30% roussanne. Drink or hold.HK$5,795.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)
An unusual style of white wine in Napa, a place where Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay tend to reign. Expect spice and gentle smoke on the opening here, star anise, white pepper, spiced pear and citrus, overlaid with fragrant white flowers. Great stuff. Winemaking and ageing in 60% stainless steel, 40% French oak, 22% new. Philippe Bascaules winemaking director.HK$2,820.00 -
Vinous (95)
A dense, succulent wine, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon captures all the raw power and density of the year. The 2015 is just starting to soften, but ideally it needs another few years in bottle to be at its finest. Readers should expect an especially opulent style, and yet the 2015 has more than enough depth to drink well for another 15+ years or more.HK$4,967.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94)
The base cuvée is the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec sourced all from Rutherford. It has a classic, Saint Julien-like bouquet of crème de cassis, tobacco lead, damp earth, and spice that gives way to a full-bodied, concentrated, textured Cabernet that hits all the right marks. The top Rubicon release has a touch more elegant and precision, but this isn't far off. Drink this stunner any time over the coming 20 years or more.HK$3,005.00 -
(1x75cl) 2018Decanter (96)
One would be hard-pressed to find a more definitive showing of Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. Just enough oak-treatment apparent on the nose to add complexity, melting perfectly into the brooding, dark black fruits underneath. The palate is plush, forward and dusty with a subtle, snappy quality to the finish. It has become rare that the premier (and most expensive) wine from a Napa producer is not simply a bigger and riper iteration of other wines in the lineup. Such is not the case with InglenookHK$1,020.00 -
Decanter (96)
One would be hard-pressed to find a more definitive showing of Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. Just enough oak-treatment apparent on the nose to add complexity, melting perfectly into the brooding, dark black fruits underneath. The palate is plush, forward and dusty with a subtle, snappy quality to the finish. It has become rare that the premier (and most expensive) wine from a Napa producer is not simply a bigger and riper iteration of other wines in the lineup. Such is not the case with InglenookHK$3,595.00 -
James Suckling (95)
This shows notes of ripe blackberries and blackcurrants with hints of licorice, cloves, walnuts and chocolate. It has full body and a velvety tannin structure. Juicy and vibrant fruit on the palate with a touch of earthiness. Smooth and delicious. Long, fruity finish. Very pure fruit. Try after 2024.HK$3,540.00 -
Wine Advocate (93+)
There have been a number of changes of late at Inglenook, so I was anxious to taste the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask. This wine was first created in 1949 and during that era, through the 50s and early 60s, was considered one of the finest wines of California. This is the best, young Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon I have tasted during my professional career of 35 years. Dense ruby/purple with classic crème de cassis, but underlying minerality and spice box. The wine is full-bodied, but not over-the-top, yet nevertheless authoritative, rich and quite long. There is a thickness and concentration I haven’t seen from this estate in many a year and this wine should age beautifully for 20-25 years at the very minimum.HK$4,805.00 -
(12x75cl) 2013Vinous (97)
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon emerges from the back part of the property, which lies on the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Here the wines are dense, powerful and structured. That is exactly what comes through in the 2013. Layers of dark fruit built into a crescendo of aromas, flavors and textures laced with mocha, espresso, gravel and dark spice overtones. The new oak that was so prominent at the outset has begun to integrate and in so doing is allowing the fruit to come through to a greater degree than in the past. This is a tremendous showing for the 2013 Rubicon.HK$15,295.00 -
Vinous (97)
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon emerges from the back part of the property, which lies on the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Here the wines are dense, powerful and structured. That is exactly what comes through in the 2013. Layers of dark fruit built into a crescendo of aromas, flavors and textures laced with mocha, espresso, gravel and dark spice overtones. The new oak that was so prominent at the outset has begun to integrate and in so doing is allowing the fruit to come through to a greater degree than in the past. This is a tremendous showing for the 2013 Rubicon.HK$7,375.00 -
Wine Advocate (95+)
The proprietary red, the 2014 Rubicon (96% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot) has a saturated black/purple color and a nose of blackberry and cassis with some camphor and charcoal. Chewy, rich and full-bodied, with exceptional precision and personality, this is a stunningly delicious and complex wine with a good 25-30 years of further potential. It is the antithesis of the rustic, somewhat coarse reds that were made under the Rubicon moniker when Francis Ford Coppola first acquired the Inglenook estate. Kudos to him for making dramatic improvements. Approachable already, this wine won’t hit its stride for another decade and will last 30 or more years.HK$6,960.00 -
Wine Advocate (95+)
The proprietary red, the 2014 Rubicon (96% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot) has a saturated black/purple color and a nose of blackberry and cassis with some camphor and charcoal. Chewy, rich and full-bodied, with exceptional precision and personality, this is a stunningly delicious and complex wine with a good 25-30 years of further potential. It is the antithesis of the rustic, somewhat coarse reds that were made under the Rubicon moniker when Francis Ford Coppola first acquired the Inglenook estate. Kudos to him for making dramatic improvements. Approachable already, this wine won’t hit its stride for another decade and will last 30 or more years.HK$6,860.00 -
(12x75cl) 2015Jeb Dunnuck (95+)
A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot, the 2015 Rubicon is slightly deeper in color than the 2014 and offers a deeper, more concentrated, yet slightly compact style that's common in this vintage. Blackcurrants, scorched earth, cedary spice, leafy herbs and licorice all flow to a ripe, beautifully concentrated, deep wine that needs 5-7 years of cellaring and will make for incredible drinking over the following 15+ yearsHK$15,295.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95+)
A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot, the 2015 Rubicon is slightly deeper in color than the 2014 and offers a deeper, more concentrated, yet slightly compact style that's common in this vintage. Blackcurrants, scorched earth, cedary spice, leafy herbs and licorice all flow to a ripe, beautifully concentrated, deep wine that needs 5-7 years of cellaring and will make for incredible drinking over the following 15+ yearsHK$7,105.00 -
(6x150cl) 2015Jeb Dunnuck (95+)
A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot, the 2015 Rubicon is slightly deeper in color than the 2014 and offers a deeper, more concentrated, yet slightly compact style that's common in this vintage. Blackcurrants, scorched earth, cedary spice, leafy herbs and licorice all flow to a ripe, beautifully concentrated, deep wine that needs 5-7 years of cellaring and will make for incredible drinking over the following 15+ yearsHK$15,295.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95+)
A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot, the 2015 Rubicon is slightly deeper in color than the 2014 and offers a deeper, more concentrated, yet slightly compact style that's common in this vintage. Blackcurrants, scorched earth, cedary spice, leafy herbs and licorice all flow to a ripe, beautifully concentrated, deep wine that needs 5-7 years of cellaring and will make for incredible drinking over the following 15+ yearsHK$7,105.00 -
James Suckling (97)
This is a powerful and structured red with full body, focused and polished tannins and a long and flavorful finish. It’s very close to the great 2013. A blend of 93 per cent cabernet sauvignon and seven per cent cabernet franc. Needs three or four years to come around.HK$6,075.00 -
James Suckling (97)
This is a powerful and structured red with full body, focused and polished tannins and a long and flavorful finish. It’s very close to the great 2013. A blend of 93 per cent cabernet sauvignon and seven per cent cabernet franc. Needs three or four years to come around.HK$12,525.00 -
(6x150cl) 2016James Suckling (97)
This is a powerful and structured red with full body, focused and polished tannins and a long and flavorful finish. It’s very close to the great 2013. A blend of 93 per cent cabernet sauvignon and seven per cent cabernet franc. Needs three or four years to come around.HK$15,925.00 -
James Suckling (97)
This is a powerful and structured red with full body, focused and polished tannins and a long and flavorful finish. It’s very close to the great 2013. A blend of 93 per cent cabernet sauvignon and seven per cent cabernet franc. Needs three or four years to come around.HK$7,100.00 -
(12x75cl) 2017Decanter (98)
This is absolutely delicious. Powerful, intense and concentrated with seductive black cherry and raspberry leaf aromatics. It slowly and steadily pulls you in and compares to the very greatest Cabernets in its excitement, structure and grip. As the liquorice, chocolate and cassis notes stretch out, it comes to a mouthwateringly slow conclusion. This keeps the savoury edge of Cabernet and the tannins give focus and poise. Opulent and concentrated, and very good. 100% new oak.HK$15,295.00

