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Uncorked: PM Hall-Jones
PM Hall-Jones is the co-owner, along with David Hall-Jones, of Domaine Thomson Wines, which owns vineyards in Central Otago, New Zealand and Gevrey-Chambertin in Burgundy. Domaine Thomson specialises in Pinot Noir and the vineyard in Central Otago is 100 % biodynamic, while Gevrey-Chambertin is organic. Hall-Jones speaks to dbHK about inviting Aubert de Villaine for dinner and the bottle of Nuits-Saint-Georges that sparked her love of wine.
Not a brilliant year. My husband, David on the other hand was born in a very great year – but shh, don’t tell him.
What bottle sparked your love of wine?
A Nuits-Saint-Georges, which my father let me taste when I was 15. It started an enduring love affair with Burgundy and Pinot Noir.
Where are you happiest?
In the garden and in the vines. And also when I’m having a good meal with friends and or family with a great wine.
What’s your greatest vice?
Impatience. I’m always in too much of a hurry whenever I want to do something.
What was the best advice you ever received?
Don’t make too much wine – just make better wine, when we started off in 2000.
What’s the most overused word?
“Vintage of the century” – there seem to be one of these every few years!
Your cellar’s underwater, which bottle would you dive in and save?
This is a difficult question as I only have two arms – Richebourg, Romanée-Saint-Vivant, and Yquem – but that’s only three bottles! You know, if a cellar is flooded, water will drain away over time….
What’s the best and worst thing about the wine business?
People who love wine and want to share their good bottles with you – I have met so many generous people. As for the worst – the stressful weeks before vendange when you’re fretting about frost and hail.
What’s on your wine bucket list?
I would start with Dom Pérignon, followed by a Romanée-Conti and finish with a Yquem.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Any friend who loves good conversation, good food and fine wine. And I’d love to invite Aubert de Villaine, and Dominique Loiseau, though it might be a bit stressful cooking for her!
Personal satisfaction (Parker points – out of 100)?
Doing things the right way the first time, for e.g. planting on phylloxera resistant root stocks. I get great satisfaction out of trying to do something well – of course, this doesn’t mean that things turn out as expected though!
Which wine would you like served at your funeral?
Our 2014 Surveyor Thomson which went into my lovely cuvée from Tonnellerie Rousseau. It’s our latest baby and we are very proud of it!