I hunt down value wines with soul, the kind that tell stories, spark debates, and challenge your assumptions about what good and "affordable" can taste like. The deal: Hong Kong prices with free delivery in urban areas. Six-bottle minimum. Ready to explore? WhatsApp 852 66236746 or email cf.lau@dunndunn.hk - Kevin K Tang
(AI photo).
This 3rd Growth estate, 90 hectares south of Margaux near Cantemerle, has been classified since 1855. Caroline Frey, who still leads today, draws inspiration from Château Haut-Brion, crafting aromatic, elegant Grand Cru Classé wines through a natural, plot-by-plot approach. The large vineyard allows for competitive pricing without sacrificing quality.
At her gravity-fed winery, Frey sorts ripe grapes before malolactic fermentation in steel vats, enhancing fruit and softening the wine. Blending comes before 18 months in 50–60% new French oak, imparting creamy, toasty notes and spice with a modern edge. Regular racking and egg fining bring silkiness and pure fruit to every vintage.
Frey’s blend—60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot—brings classic intensity with approachability. The 2003, 2017, and 2019 vintages each reveal a different side: 2003 is rich and warm, 2017 elegant and early-drinking, 2019 vibrant and balanced. There’s a bottle for every moment, whether for now or later.
La Lagune 2003 (ABV 13%, HK$730–850, 89 points): Warm and generous, this vintage is all black plum, fig, mocha, and sweet spice, with velvety tannins and a full body. The downside? The heat of the vintage really shows, often flattening the wine’s freshness and making the fruit seem overripe or cooked. Some bottles can feel clumsy or even heavy-handed, missing the finesse and drive Bordeaux lovers often seek. This is a wine for those who prize richness, not subtlety.
La Lagune 2017 (ABV 13.0%, HK$550–650, 91 points): Graceful and subtle, this vintage shows bright cherry, blackberry, wildflowers, and herbs, with softly gliding tannins. However, the wine’s lighter frame and modest concentration can leave it feeling a bit thin, especially for those expecting depth or power from Bordeaux. It’s not a wine for the cellar—instead, it’s best enjoyed young before its charm fades. It may not age as robustly as others, but its finesse and easy-drinking style are perfect for gatherings focused on good company.
La Lagune 2019 (ABV 14%, HK$480–560, 93 points): The 2019 offers blackcurrant, plum, and violet in a creamy embrace. Still, this vintage is far from ready: the tannins are grippy, the oak sometimes overshadows the fruit, and the wine can come across as awkward or closed. It demands cellaring—and there’s no guarantee it will fully harmonise with age.
Your cellar’s selection is a treat for wine lovers. The 2003 (HK$545, six left) offers mature richness at a bargain. The 2017 (HK$355, twelve left) delivers charm and elegance for less than most main courses. The 2019 (HK$398, fifteen left) promises quality and value. Each bottle reflects Frey’s vision and the land’s character. Whether you crave warmth, grace, or energy, La Lagune brings something special to every occasion.
In Hong Kong, I’ve always felt La Lagune is an underdog—overlooked by investors and trophy hunters. That’s part of its charm for me. I’m not an expert, just a wine lover, and for those who value authenticity, La Lagune is a quiet treasure. It may not make headlines but offers honest, soulful pleasure at the table.
For me, the joy of La Lagune goes beyond the bottle itself. Its friendly, welcoming style shines with simple, classic dishes—roast goose, Peking duck, or a pan-fried steak—and each bite draws out the wine’s fruit, spice, and structure, turning even a casual meal into something memorable.
La Lagune has always been an insider’s wine, appreciated by those with quiet confidence and understated class. The vineyard is certified organic and is on its way to biodynamic certification. Under Caroline Frey’s continued leadership, the estate remains committed to purity, finesse, and a sense of place—a philosophy that also guides the Frey family’s other holdings, such as Paul Jaboulet in the Rhône and Corton André in Burgundy.
Maybe that’s why, for me, opening a bottle of La Lagune always feels different. It isn’t about investment or status, but about sharing something genuine: wine full of life, warmth, and the unmistakable character of its terroir. For us wine lovers, that quiet authenticity is the greatest return of all.
I hunt down value wines with soul, the kind that tell stories, spark debates, and challenge your assumptions about what good and "affordable" can taste like. The deal: Hong Kong prices with free delivery in urban areas. Six-bottle minimum. Ready to explore? WhatsApp 852 66236746 or email cf.lau@dunndunn.hk - Kevin K Tang
(Source: Unknown)
Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape is known for producing some of the Rhône Valley’s most distinctive, full-bodied, and long-lived wines. I’ve tasted many Beaucastel vintages over the years, and each one stands out with its own character and leaves a strong impression.
Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012
2012: Warm, dry season. The wine is full-bodied, balanced, and fresh, with fine tannins and expressive notes of red berries, herbs, and spice. Blend: Grenache (30%), Mourvèdre (30%), Syrah (10%), Counoise (10%), others. ABV 14.5%. Scores: Wine Advocate 95, Wine Spectator 93. Drink window: now–2032. My price: HK$670 (3 bottles left) | Wine-Searcher: HK$780.The 2012 is a classic vintage that tastes great now but can still develop more with time. Beaucastel wines usually age well and often last beyond their suggested drinking windows. With its structure and balance, this wine should age well for another 10 to 15 years, and it might become even more complex if you wait longevity.
Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2006
2006: Hot summer, some rain. Complex, full-bodied, robust structure. Dark fruit, earth, Provençal herbs. Blend: Grenache (30%), Mourvèdre (30%), Syrah (10%), Counoise (10%), others. ABV 14.5%. Scores: Wine Advocate 94, Wine Spectator 92. Drink window: now–2028. My price: HK$750 (3 bottles left) | Wine-Searcher: HK$940.
Even though the 2006 vintage faced some tough weather, Beaucastel still made an elegant wine that ages well. I think it will continue to improve beyond its official drinking window. In the past few years, the 2006 has gone up in value at auctions, showing that collectors are more interested in it. It’s become a popular choice for those looking to invest or enjoy a wine that holds its value.
Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2013
2013: Cool spring, late harvest. Fresh, full-bodied, lively red and black fruit, with floral hints. Blend: Grenache (30%), Mourvèdre (30%), Syrah (10%), Counoise (10%), others. ABV 14.5%. Scores: Wine Advocate 94, Wine Spectator 92. Drink window: now–2030. My price: HK$555 (about 12 bottles left) | Wine-Searcher: HK$700.
The 2013 vintage is easy to enjoy now, but it can also be aged and will likely taste great even after its suggested window.
Each vintage shows the special weather and growing conditions of its year, but all of them highlight Beaucastel’s strong focus on quality and the character of its vineyards. Grenache-based blends usually have softer tannins and less acidity than those with more Syrah, but I’ve found that Beaucastel wines age well and often last longer than expected. All of these bottles are ready to drink now, but if you wait, they’ll develop even more depth. For food pairings, I suggest trying the 2012 with herb-crusted lamb, Peking Duck, or wild mushroom risotto to match its structure and spice. The 2006 goes well with roasted beef, Provençal stew, or aged hard cheeses, which bring out its earthy flavours. For the lively 2013, pair it with rosemary chicken, pork tenderloin, or a Mediterranean vegetable gratin to complement its fresh fruit notes. I’ve enjoyed every bottle of Beaucastel, and at these prices, these vintages are a great choice.
I hunt down value wines with soul, the kind that tell stories, spark debates, and challenge your assumptions about what good and "affordable" can taste like. The deal: Hong Kong prices with free delivery in urban areas. Six-bottle minimum. Ready to explore? WhatsApp 852 66236746 or email cf.lau@dunndunn.hk - Kevin K Tang
Overview
This is a direct look at two well-known Bolgheri and Suvereto reds made from Bordeaux grapes. Both are aged in French oak and are key wines for their estates. Guidalberto, Tenuta San Guido’s second label after Sassicaia, is known for elegance and value. Giusto di Notri, Tua Rita’s top blend, stands out for its power and depth. Both have strong reputations with wine lovers.
Tuscan reds, even those made from international grapes, stand out for their bright acidity, fresh fruit, and savoury, sometimes mineral notes. Flavours of Mediterranean herbs, lively structure, and a clear sense of energy come from Tuscany’s sunny hills and varied soils. This gives the wines a unique character and makes them very food-friendly.
Both wines use Bordeaux grapes, but each shows a clear Tuscan character shaped by the local land and winemaking approach.
Guidalberto 2021 (Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri)
Critical consensus: Elegant and harmonious, with blackcurrant, plum, cedar, and tobacco. Soft, plump tannins, fresh acidity. ABV 13.5%. Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (40%). Scores: Decanter 91, Wine Spectator 92, James Suckling 93. Wine-Searcher price range (as of 2024): $45–$65 USD. Vintage score (Bolgheri 2021): 97 (Wine Advocate). Wine-Searcher price range (as of 2024): HK$350–$520.
When I tasted Guidalberto 2021, I found soft, generous tannins and fresh plum and black cherry flavours. Tobacco and cedar added depth, leading to a subtle, gentle finish. This medium-bodied wine is more intense than earlier, softer vintages, but does not reach the structure and depth of the estate’s top years. Its moderate 13.5% ABV and high Merlot content keep it balanced and fresh. The strong scores from Decanter (91), Wine Spectator (92), and James Suckling (93) confirm its elegance and value.
Giusto di Notri 2020 (Tua Rita, Suvereto)
Critical consensus: Dense, powerful, inky and complex. Blackberry, blackcurrant, balsamic, iron, graphite, and spice. Firm but polished tannins, long finish. ABV 15%. Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Merlot (12%), Cabernet Franc (8%). Scores: Wine Advocate 96, Wine Spectator 95, James Suckling 96. Vintage score (Tuscany 2020): 96 (Wine Advocate). Wine-Searcher price range (as of 2024): HK$700–$1,000.
Giusto di Notri 2020 looked inky and dense in the glass, showing youthful concentration. The aroma brought blackberry, cassis, and spice, along with graphite, iron, and balsamic, which are classic for Suvereto. On the palate, it was full-bodied, creamy, and mineral, with firm, polished tannins. The finish was long, savoury, and clearly saline. The wine’s depth and structure stand out, and the 15% ABV is well balanced. It tastes good now with decanting, but as the high scores from WA (96), WS (95), and JS (96) show, it is made to age.
Comparison
Guidalberto is refined and easy to enjoy early, with the classic balance and versatility of Bolgheri wines.
Giusto di Notri is powerful, structured, and intense, making it ideal for ageing and for those who want depth in their wine.
Bottom Line
Both of these Super Tuscans are excellent. Choose Guidalberto if you want elegance and versatility, or Giusto di Notri if you prefer depth and a wine that will age well. Our prices are fair and reflect the quality of our storage and provenance: $360 for Guidalberto 2021 and $518 for Giusto di Notri 2020.
