Top wines in the Asian press

Château Rollan de By

Tasting for the heritagewineclub.com, sommelier Andreas Larsson described this red from the Médoc as “beautiful and succulent”.

He said: “Lovely bright deep colour.

“The nose is intense and displays a classic Bordeaux palate of tobaccos, cigar boxes, spices, aromatic herbs, cassis and dark berries.

“Full bodied and generous palate, packed with dark fruits, very fine integration of oak, spicy and robust with a nice backbone of tannin that contributes to the length.

“A very persistent and pleasurable finish.”

“Beautiful, succulent and stylish Bordeaux that can be enjoyed young for its lush fruits but will continue to develop and display a more classic structure.”

 Principe de Viana Vendimia Tardia de Chardonnay 2009

Writing in the Wine Times HK Stephy Poon picked out this “sweet” Chardonnay.

Principe de Viana is one of the largest wineries in Spain’s Navarra where its first winery was founded in 1983.

She said: “As you may know from my previous articles, I have a wicked sweet-tooth and a heavy crush on most sweet goodies – but I’m getting pickier on it and I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing!

“Luckily this Principe de Viana Late Harvest Chardonnay 2009 didn’t disappoint me.

“Pouring this golden, yellow-coloured, sweet wine; feeling its creamy thickness texture and smelling the complex aromas of honey and orange of this wine, my ‘sleeping brain’ was suddenly acutely alert.

“On the palate, I noted some rich and nice flavours like figs, pineapple and walnuts; this only further awakened and aroused my ‘sleeping brain’.”

Massandra Rose Muscat 2009

Pictured: White Muscat

Poon also recommended this 2009 Muscat from the Ukraine.

She said: “It’s heaven-like aromas of honey, rose petals and strawberry is totally ‘my glass of wine’.

“This wine is very smooth, like you are touching a satin slip dress.

“Besides enjoying it alone as an ‘inspiration wine’ for work or studies, I would also like to add some lemon and ginger (since this wine is sweet enough, I think there is no need to add any brown sugar) to the wine, boil it for a few minutes and serve it as a ‘warm comfort winter drink’.

“I am going to try to make this sometime and I am pretty sure I would have a good and sweet sleep after that.”

2007 Fontaine-Gagnard Le Montrachet Grand Cru 

Pictured: 2009 vintage

Building on her recommendations of the best domaines for Burgundian whites last week, Jeannie Cho Lee MW this week highlights this Burgundian white produced by the Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard in the region’s Côte De Beaune.

Writing for asianpalate.com she said: “Voluptuous Montrachet that is sweet, sumptuous and filled with ripe apricot, butter, peach and toasted nut flavours.

“There is nothing subtle about this wine – all of its flavours are proudly, brazenly bold.

“High marks for its overt, hedonistic flavours.”

 Tommasi Poggio Al Tufo Rompicollo 2011

Wai Xin writing on his blog The Blabber singled out this Italian red.

He said: “Pronounced sweet ripe black cherries with dark fruits undertone.

“Velvety structure with excellent bright fresh acidity.

“Very enjoyable and delightful, sufficiently ripe on nose and balance on the palate.”

Danbian Premuim Cabernet Sauvignon

This Cabernet Sauvignon from China’s Danbian winery was recommended by Hai Jia writing at winechina.com, which he said would pair perfectly with roast pork.

He said: “Deep ruby red in colour, ripe berry aromas with elegant oak.

“It’s very balanced wine with comfortable acidity and long aftertaste.

“The name of the winery sounds romantic.

“Wines from this winery are clean and balanced.”