Hong Kong’s wine merchants reveal what they’d want in their Christmas stockings – if they’ve been good this year…

As retailers, importers or distributors, members of the Hong Kong wine trade are lucky enough to be surrounded by beautiful, rare and fine wines everyday but what would they pick for their ultimate Christmas present this year?

We badgered Hong Kong’s wine trade on their ultimate Christmas gift.

We bring you Hong Kong’s fine wines of Christmas…

ASC Fine Wine – Staglin Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 

Jonathan Mather, general manager: “At ASC, we are really fortunate to have small quantities of this sought-after Napa icon – they have waiting lists several years long for allocations. What I love about Staglin Family Estate is not just that the wine is delicious but that the family has such a  strong commitment to the environment, the local community and philanthropy.

“Staglin Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 is a dense, layered treat to enjoy now with good friends or cellar for future. Hurry to order it before I drink it all!”

HK$1,750, delivery cut-off date Wednesday, 22 December

Berry Bros & Rudd – Barbadillo, Reliquia Palo Cortado, 1915

Amanda Longworth, head of marketing and wine services: “Known as ‘Barbadillo Relics’, these extremely limited release sherries are available as Amontillado, Oloroso, Palo Cortado and Pedro Ximénez and presented in hand-blown decanter-style glass bottles.

“This Palo Cortado presents a background of noble oak with a hint of bitterness before enjoyment of its immense complexity and elegance can begin. Generous on the nose and balanced and dry on the palate, it awakens a persistent desire for authenticity and was awarded 100 points by Robert Parker.”

HK$4,100, delivery cut-off date Tuesday, 22 December

Corney & Barrow – Soldera 2006 

Linda Tan, marketing manager: “Soldera 2006 is an extraordinary and much desired Italian wine – exacerbated by its scarcity around the world.  The vandalism caused by the opening of the taps to several vintages in the cellar has led to Soldera being highly coveted – older vintages are almost impossible to find.

“Fresh and linear, red cherries dominate with an incredibly pure concentration – sweet, floral, spicy and savoury notes round off this exquisite wine. The person who receives Soldera will be very lucky indeed; even more so if it is a gift to yourself!”

Special Christmas offer: HK$3,068 (RRP HK$3,480), delivery cut-off date, Wednesday, 23 December (before 3pm)

Fine Vintage (Far East) – Graham’s Single Harvest Tawny Port, 1969

Howard Palmes, general manager: “This is a super delicious Graham’s Single Harvest Tawny 1969. Best served lightly chilled and if you don’t have a favourite Port glass, any good white wine glass will do. Essential for Christmas!”

HK$3,250

Fine Wine Experience – Domaine G Roumier, Musigny grand cru, 2001 in magnum

Linden Wilkie, owner: “Once in a lifetime? We like to hope we might some day ‘double-dip’ at least, but then there are some wines where we know that is pretty unlikely. Musigny sits at the peak of Burgundy grands crus, and Domaine Roumier’s is one of the best.

“Unfortunately their Musigny holding is small, and the resulting production miniscule – they state 340 bottles and 12 magnums, on average, per vintage. So the chance to enjoy a magnum from a great year – 2001 – probably really does qualify as once-in-a-lifetime…”

HK$88,000 per magnum

Ginsberg+Chan – L’Archiviste six-decade case, Vins Doux Naturel, MV

Lauren McPhate, marketing manager: “This is a really cool six-bottle collection that features the fortified sweet wines of Southern France from 1935-1982. These cuvées were found relatively recently all still in cask, which means the provenance, quality, and complexity are amazing.

“This collection is a rare glimpse into the historic wines of Southern France and no doubt totally a delicious and impressive way to indulge over the holidays.”

HK$3,900

Justerini & Brooks – Latricières Chambertin, Heritiere Louis Remy, grand cru, 2007

Cellina Chan, head of sales (Hong Kong): “Nothing says Christmas like grand cru Burgundy and this 2007 from Chantal Remy is on song at the moment. While many Burgundian producers rushed to harvest their 2007s, Chantal and her team were prepared to wait to ensure full ripeness and the results are telling.

“Open, aromatic and complex, with a fully resolved structure and utterly charming fruit, this is a Latricières that is generous, inviting and long. Too often overlooked at tastings, the Remy wines come into their own at the dinner table.”

HK$1,140, delivery cut-off date Monday, 14 December

Kerry Wines – Gran Reserva 904, La Rioja Alta 1982

Eric Desgouttes, general manager: “La Rioja Alta is a great discovery of Spanish wine, especially as this wine has been ageing in bottle for 20 years. How amazing is it, that in 2015, we would still have a chance to taste something from 1982?

“Jancis Robinson rates it 17.5 and described it as: ‘Ruby with an orange rim. Mildly animal nose. A little bit of sweet dust (cumin?) and definitely a fully mature wine. Marked acidity and great smoothness. Quite enough fruit in the middle and wonderful length. Pretty sophisticated.’”

HK$1,435, delivery cut-off date Wednesday, 23 December

Northeast Wines & Spirits – Kanonkop Black Label, 2013

Betsy Haynes, general manager: “This is the most expensive Pinotage coming out of South Africa right now and is strictly by allocation either per bottle or by six-bottle case. We were lucky enough to taste this during our trip to Cape Town…and it’s definitely worth cellaring!

“A simply gorgeous single-vineyard wine made on the famous Stellenbosch Estateand which is characterised by notes of liquorice, cherry and black fruit, with a touch of exotic spice and a pronounced savouriness to the finish.

“As the previous vintages have shown, this wine really starts hitting its straps after five years in the bottle as it gains complexity and added depth.”

HK$1,333 via Northeast’s online store, Wine’n’Things, delivery cut-off date Sunday, 20 December

Omtis Fine Wines – Chateau Montrose, 1975

“This possesses a deep, dense, ruby colour. A soft and complex bouquet of red berries and currants, undergrowth, and cold tobacco. A long and silky palate. Very elegant with melted tannins.

“This 40-year-old wine from Saint-Estèphe has evolved with complexity, subtleness and a gorgeous balance. Perfect for a celebration. Perfect for Christmas.”

HK$1,450, delivery cut-off date Monday, 21 December

One Red Dot Fine Wines – Château Cheval Blanc, 1939

“This parcel of 1939 Château Cheval Blanc has been storing in a negociant’s cellar in Bordeaux for more than 70 years and has never been moved with every bottle has impeccable condition.

“This rare 1939 Bordeaux red is rich and soft with a cedar caramel nose and a smooth round finish. Drink now to 2016. Probably the last few bottles available in the world!”

HK$13,800, free delivery on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories on Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Pudao Wines – wooden case of a selection of Dr Loosen, MV

Marcus Ford, national director: “This has to be a unique offer for Hong Kong wine lovers which is especially curated by Dr Ernst Loosen himself.  Christmas is a time for indulgence, friends, family and loved ones. I always think that my favourite wine experience have a hugely personal and somewhat emotional element.

“The wonderful thing about this mixed case of decadent Christmas treats is that personal touch from Ernst Loosen, one of the wine world’s most engaging personalities!

“This perfect present includes a signed letter from Ernst Loosen, Bernkasteler Lay Auslese 2003, Graacher Himmelreich Auslese 2004, Erdener Praelat Auslese 2005, Erdener Treppchen Auslese 2006, Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese 2007 and Uerziger Wuerzgarten Auslese 2008.”

Special Christmas price: HK$3,120 (RRP HK$4,280) delivery cut-off date Tuesday 22, December before 5pm

Sarment – Cave Yves Cuilleron Cuvees Bourasseau Viognier, 2012

Ali Nicol, marketing manager: “Part of a pack of three highly limited wines from the famed Rhône Valley winemaker, there are only 2 barriques made of this wine from the best parcels of land in Condrieu.

“The wine is named after Robert Bourasseau, the artist who designed the label and is adjoined by a Côte-Rôtie and Saint-Joseph. The Viognier is a wickedly alluring wine that highlights the expertise of Yves’ winemaking prowess; it’s well-structured and has a full mouth-feel, making it a wine that needs to be slowly appreciated to allow the elegance to shine through. Truly an exceptional wine that any Condrieu lover will want to get his or her hands on”.

HK$$56,500 per six-bottle case (two bottles of each wine)

Sino Vantage Asia – Bertani, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, 1980

Herve Leroux, director: “As a pioneer of Amarone, Bertani has an incredible collection of old vintages including 1962, 1967, 1972 all kept in perfect conditions in Hong Kong.

“My favourite is the 1980 – this still-young 35-year-old wine has huge fruit aromas with a deep garnet red hue with an orange rim. The nose is dried plum, leather and walnut and on the palate is a full-bodied, well-structured wine, with youthful tannins.”

HK$3,320 

Treasury Wine Estates – Penfolds Bin 170 Kalimna Shiraz, 2010

Barry Galloway, country manager – Hong Kong & Macau: “Whether you’re the host or a guest, at Christmas you’ll want a wine that’ll stand out on the table – or in the stocking…

“To make this Christmas one to remember, it would be the Penfolds 2010 Bin 170 Kalimna Shiraz. This classic single block, single vineyard and single varietal wine was created only once in 1973 and brought back in 2014 to celebrate Penfolds 170th anniversary as a special limited-edition release, housed in a bespoke signature case created by Linley.

“Viscous, velvety, voluminous – this wine commands attention and sure to make your holiday merry and bright.”

RRP: HK$11,000, available through fine wine retailers