Americas
The North American wine producing reputation can largely be attributed to the global fame and success of Napa Valley and Sonoma County in the United States. Although technically ‘new world’, its wines have the same devoted fan base (and often first-growth prices) as many classic European wines. Free from the shackles of European winemaking law, one can find a variety of cooler climate Cabs, Merlots, Pinots, Chardonnays and Rieslings that will entice all wine lovers.
South America is an exciting new melting pot of styles and flavours with a range of soils types and altitudes – taking international varietals and finishing with French winemaking techniques, or in the case of Argentinian Malbec, adopting a largely unloved grape and making it their own.
Americas
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(1x150cl) 1995Vinous (95)
Healthy dark red. Musky, soil-inflected aromas of dark raspberry, strawberry, minerals, tobacco, underbrush, cedar and dried herbs. Wonderfully silky and concentrated, displaying outstanding spicy lift to the vibrant, sharply delineated flavors of berries, coffee, anise and tobacco. Like a hypothetical blend of St. Julien and Graves. This beauty has only gained in clarity through the years as it has absorbed its baby fat. The tannins are firm but suave, in perfect balance with the wine's acidity and fruit. Juicy and subtly long on the aftertaste.HK$12,875.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
Araujo’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard is a picture perfect example of the year. Vibrant, precise and beautifully chiseled, the 2010 boasts serious depth and concentration. The aromas and flavors are incredibly vivid in this textured, dazzling Cabernet Sauvignon. Hints of dark blue and black fruit, mocha, espresso and grilled herbs flesh out on the huge finish. Today the 2010 is unusually open, but it is almost certain to shut down in bottle over the next 6-12 months. The 2010 is a super-classic Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon from Araujo. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2035.HK$13,275.00 -
Vinous (96+)
Araujo has long made some of the more restrained Cabernets in Napa Valley. The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard is one of the more Left Bank inflected wines in the estate's distinguished history. Beautifully layered and expressive, the 2011 graces the palate with exquisite finesse and total harmony. The 2011 isn't a huge, explosive wine like the 2010 or 2009, but it stands out for its exceptional length and vibrancy. Readers should not expect an obvious Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. I imagine the 2011 will still be marvelous at age 30, and I won't be surprised if it is one day regarded as one of the great, iconic wines of the vintage. The 2011 has been truly special since I started tasting the single blocks in the Spring of 2012. The blend is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.HK$3,095.00 -
Vinous (96+)
Araujo has long made some of the more restrained Cabernets in Napa Valley. The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard is one of the more Left Bank inflected wines in the estate's distinguished history. Beautifully layered and expressive, the 2011 graces the palate with exquisite finesse and total harmony. The 2011 isn't a huge, explosive wine like the 2010 or 2009, but it stands out for its exceptional length and vibrancy. Readers should not expect an obvious Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. I imagine the 2011 will still be marvelous at age 30, and I won't be surprised if it is one day regarded as one of the great, iconic wines of the vintage. The 2011 has been truly special since I started tasting the single blocks in the Spring of 2012. The blend is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.HK$4,505.00 -
James Suckling (98)
The aromas to this wine are very complex and brooding with blackcurrants, sage and spearmint. Souis bois and wet earth then turn to black fruits. Entrancing nose. This is full-bodied, yet tight and focused with compressed tannins and a long finish. Very intense volcanic sea salt to the wines. A much more subtle and mind-provoking style.HK$7,200.00 -
James Suckling (98)
The aromas to this wine are very complex and brooding with blackcurrants, sage and spearmint. Souis bois and wet earth then turn to black fruits. Entrancing nose. This is full-bodied, yet tight and focused with compressed tannins and a long finish. Very intense volcanic sea salt to the wines. A much more subtle and mind-provoking style.HK$10,700.00 -
(1x300cl) 2015Wine Advocate (100)
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon charges from the gate with exuberant red and black cherries notes, black currants and mulberries with a beautiful roses and lavender perfume, plus hints of sandalwood and cinnamon stick. Full-bodied, concentrated and downright explosive in the mouth, it is still wearing loads of gorgeous puppy-fat fruit flavors, offering suggestions of the complex, multilayered blockbuster that it will emerge into. The structure deserves its own mention: wonderful, seamless freshness and oh-so-fine, pixelated tannins, with an extraordinary persistence of fruit and mineral nuances. Wow.HK$14,830.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon charges from the gate with exuberant red and black cherries notes, black currants and mulberries with a beautiful roses and lavender perfume, plus hints of sandalwood and cinnamon stick. Full-bodied, concentrated and downright explosive in the mouth, it is still wearing loads of gorgeous puppy-fat fruit flavors, offering suggestions of the complex, multilayered blockbuster that it will emerge into. The structure deserves its own mention: wonderful, seamless freshness and oh-so-fine, pixelated tannins, with an extraordinary persistence of fruit and mineral nuances. Wow.HK$12,705.00 -
Decanter (100)
One of the most legendary vineyards in the Napa Valley, the Eisele Vineyard was purchased by François Pinault of Château Latour in Pauillac in the Médoc, Bordeaux from the Araujo family which had owned it for 23 years (from 1990 to 2013). The winemaking is now in the hands of 41-year-old winemaker Hélène Mingot. For this vintage, Hélène used only rockiest blocks planted in shallow soils near Simmons Creek.HK$5,880.00 -
Decanter (100)
One of the most legendary vineyards in the Napa Valley, the Eisele Vineyard was purchased by François Pinault of Château Latour in Pauillac in the Médoc, Bordeaux from the Araujo family which had owned it for 23 years (from 1990 to 2013). The winemaking is now in the hands of 41-year-old winemaker Hélène Mingot. For this vintage, Hélène used only rockiest blocks planted in shallow soils near Simmons Creek.HK$11,985.00 -
Decanter (100)
One of the most legendary vineyards in the Napa Valley, the Eisele Vineyard was purchased by François Pinault of Château Latour in Pauillac in the Médoc, Bordeaux from the Araujo family which had owned it for 23 years (from 1990 to 2013). The winemaking is now in the hands of 41-year-old winemaker Hélène Mingot. For this vintage, Hélène used only rockiest blocks planted in shallow soils near Simmons Creek.HK$23,550.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Aromas of blueberries and currants and floral hints, such as violets, with subtle minerality. Opens into true beauty and pureness of fruit. Medium to full body. Seamless tannins spread across the palate. Shows finesse and focus and the true character of Eisele. Beautifully crafted. Try after 2023, but already a joy to taste.HK$7,990.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Aromas of blueberries and currants and floral hints, such as violets, with subtle minerality. Opens into true beauty and pureness of fruit. Medium to full body. Seamless tannins spread across the palate. Shows finesse and focus and the true character of Eisele. Beautifully crafted. Try after 2023, but already a joy to taste.HK$6,175.00 -
The Wine Independent (99)
The 2018 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep garnet-purple color. It is shut tight to begin, needing a lot of swirling to coax out fragrant notes of black cherries, freshly crushed blackcurrants, and mulberries, giving way to notes of iris bulb, black soil, molten licorice, and crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate is very taut, tightly wound, and muscular with firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and earthy.HK$4,495.00 -
The Wine Independent (99)
The 2018 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep garnet-purple color. It is shut tight to begin, needing a lot of swirling to coax out fragrant notes of black cherries, freshly crushed blackcurrants, and mulberries, giving way to notes of iris bulb, black soil, molten licorice, and crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate is very taut, tightly wound, and muscular with firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and earthy.HK$6,455.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
I was also able to taste the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is an utterly classic Napa Cabernet with its layered, expansive mouthfeel and majestic style. Red and black currants, savory herbs, tobacco, new leather, and pressed roses all define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, with a deep, layered mouthfeel, an incredible salinity and minerality, and a gorgeous finish. It's pure class and elegance married with incredible Napa fruit. As with many 2019s, it already offers pleasure yet this should benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and I wouldn t be surprised to see it evolve for 30+ years.HK$9,025.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
I was also able to taste the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is an utterly classic Napa Cabernet with its layered, expansive mouthfeel and majestic style. Red and black currants, savory herbs, tobacco, new leather, and pressed roses all define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, with a deep, layered mouthfeel, an incredible salinity and minerality, and a gorgeous finish. It's pure class and elegance married with incredible Napa fruit. As with many 2019s, it already offers pleasure yet this should benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and I wouldn t be surprised to see it evolve for 30+ years.HK$11,640.00 -
The Wine Independent (100)
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon needs a bit of swirling to coax out wonderfully pure, well-defined notes of crushed blackcurrants, juicy black plums, and fresh Bing cherries giving way to an undercurrent of lilacs, star anise, and tar with a waft of fertile loam. The full-bodied palate is laden with tightly wound black berry and floral layers, framed by super-firm, super-fine-grained tannins and beautiful tension, finishing with epic length. Wow!HK$13,600.00 -
Vinous (92)
(75% sauvignon musque and 25% sauvignon blanc; bottled the week before my visit): Good bright green-tinged yellow. Expressive, very fresh aromas and flavors of quince, guava, lime and almond, plus notes of underripe pineapple and minerals. Generous, layered and full in the mouth, conveying a captivating floral perfume. Finishes chewy and slightly phenolic, with dusty grapefruit pith and mint nuances. An excellent cooler vintage for this wine.HK$2,060.00 -
James Suckling (97)
Very subtle aromas of green apple, pear, kumquat and light peach. Medium to full body with a really refined nature, showing similar flavors to the nose, as well as lightly toasted oak and acacia and nut undertones. Honeydew melon and lilac, too. Refined and savory. Delicious complexity. Drink or hold.HK$2,375.00 -
(1x150cl) 2021Jeb Dunnuck (95)
The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, which includes a lot of Musqu clone, is a perfumed, exotic, incredibly floral example of the variety that just about jumps out of the glass. With bright acidity, medium body, and beautiful overall balance, it can be enjoyed today but will be even better with 2-3 years of bottle age and, I suspect, will evolve for over a decade if you're so inclined.HK$2,195.00 -
(3x75cl) 2012Vinous (89)
The 2012 Syrah Eisele Vineyard is a soft, immediate wine with good balance, but less of the explosiveness and resonance that has been the norm here in recent times. Hints of red plum, cherry and pomegranate linger on the attractive finish.HK$3,830.00 -
(1x150cl) 2013HK$3,260.00 -
(3x75cl) 2014HK$4,505.00 -
(3x75cl) 2020HK$5,555.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
There is a new top of the range produced with pure Malbec from a very small plot in the Cordón El Cepillo. It's a cool place with a small slope in a mostly flat vineyard with very different soils and angular stones in a place that has glacier moraine, which is completely different from the rest of the vineyard. It makes the grapes ripen much earlier and gives a very strict and stony wine with a textured palate with abundant dusty tannins. 2016 was a super cold and rainy year, and the 2016 As Bravas Malbec has only 12.5% alcohol and incredible freshness. It's only medium-bodied with gobsmacking balance and is incredibly harmonious, nuanced and subtle, with all that it needs for a very long life in bottle. This is serious, tight, austere and incredibly elegant. It matured in 2,000-liter oak foudres for some 60 months. It was bottled in April 2022.HK$3,200.00 -
Vinous (94)
A Bonarda from El Mirador, Rivadavia, Mendoza, mixed with 15% Cabernet Franc and aged for 15 months in hundred-year-old foudres with low anhydrides by Alejandro Vigil. Bright purple in the glass. The nose displays intense notes of cherry and raspberry with a hint of sweet spices. In the mouth, the Franc brings structure and tension while the tannins are refined and polished. Flows with volume and a delicate acidity that compensates for the unripe portion of the grapes. A clear and expressive red full of easygoing, refreshing flavor. An accomplished wine.HK$1,500.00 -
James Suckling (94)
Aromas of spiced blue fruit with a gently floral edge, as well as light, earthy and stony aromas. This has such intriguing structure with fine, dense tannins, carrying ripe blue-fruit flavors in a fresh, succulent mode. Drinks like a good Morgon! Try now and for five years.HK$1,475.00 -
Vinous (92)
Dark red-ruby. Aromas of blueberry, blackberry, violet and peppery herbs, the latter no doubt partly due to the use of 15% whole clusters for the fermentation; winemaker Alejandro Vigil noted that the stems were fully ripe in this vineyard in 2016). Tactile, juicy and suave, with its seamless flavors of blueberry, violet and bitter chocolate showing considerable finesse and building, palate-staining length. Vigil makes 8,000 cases of this Cabernet Franc, half of them for the local Argentina market. Very nicely balanced wine, not hugely complex but with real nobility of texture for the price.HK$1,410.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
Made “like a flan”, according to Ale Vigil, this is a co-fermented blend of Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec, with lots of whole bunches and aged in old wooden foudres. Zesty and fresh, with the low alcohol and focus that are a feature of El Enemigo style, it’s savoury and bright with salty minerality and graphite and green herb flavours.HK$1,350.00

