Updated: Jan 26
'We choose wines that have value and soul—bottles that tell stories rather than just filling glasses. Interested in prices in Hong Kong? Contact us via WhatsApp at 852 66236746 or email cf.lau@dunndunn.hk. Based in Hong Kong, we are fluent in Cantonese and English. Explore small-batch treasures from passionate winemakers. Enjoy excellent value and distinct character—bottles that spark conversations at dinner.'- Kevin K Tang
Château Les Grands Chênes 2017 presents a fruit-forward profile with concentrated aromas and distinct character. The palate is textured and balanced. According to Google AI, this Médoc wine is expected to develop greater complexity with bottle ageing. Alongside its fruit notes, it offers graphite, chocolate, and violet accents, finishing with a light, mineral quality typical of the Médoc. When properly chilled, it shows notable density for a CB Médoc. For best results, serve at approximately 18 Celsius. Decanting is not recommended, but if preferred, limit decanting to under 30 minutes to allow the wine to open and reveal its full range of flavours.
Despite the lighter 2017 vintage, Les Grands Chênes demonstrates complexity from its classic Bordeaux blend of Merlot (70%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) (Château Les Grands Chênes 2017, n.d.) As a Michel Rolland wine, it features less oak, greater fruit texture, and benefits from bottle ageing.
This wine has not received formal scores and is currently priced competitively in Hong Kong, offering substantial value. Its appeal extends beyond price for those who appreciate the Médoc style. CB Médoc wines remain consistent and have improved in quality in recent years, often exceeding AC Bordeaux standards. It can be cellared for another one to two years without significant degradation, during which it is expected to develop greater richness and nuance.
While not a Bordeaux "Two-buck-chuck," it is priced 25 to 30 per cent lower in Hong Kong than in other wine markets. In my view as a merchant, only Greysac, another Médoc CB, offers comparable value.
(Google Translate)
2017年份的Château Les Grands Chênes展現出濃鬱的果香，香氣集中，個性鮮明。口感層次豐富，平衡和諧。根據Google人工智慧預測，這款梅多克葡萄酒在瓶中陳釀後，風味將更加複雜。除了果香之外，它還帶有石墨、巧克力和紫羅蘭的香氣，並以梅多克特有的輕盈礦物氣息收尾。冰鎮後，這款酒在梅多克葡萄酒中展現出令人矚目的濃鬱度。最佳飲用溫度約為攝氏18度。不建議醒酒，但如果喜歡醒酒，請將醒酒時間控制在30分鐘以內，讓葡萄酒充分展現其風味。 儘管2017年份的酒體較為輕盈，但Les Grands Chênes酒莊的這款經典波爾多混釀——梅洛（70%）和赤霞珠（30%）——依然展現出其複雜性（Château Les Grands Chênes 2017，無日期）。作為米歇爾羅蘭（Michel Rolland）酒莊的佳釀，這款酒橡木桶的使用痕跡較少，果香更加濃鬱，瓶陳更使其風味錦上添花。 這款酒尚未獲得正式評分，目前在香港的定價極具競爭力，性價比很高。對於欣賞梅多克風格的葡萄酒愛好者來說，它的魅力遠不止於價格。梅多克產區的葡萄酒品質穩定，近年來不斷提升，其品質往往超越了波爾多法定產區（AC Bordeaux）的標準。這款酒窖藏一到兩年後，風味不會明顯下降，預計在此期間，其口感會更加豐富細膩。 雖然它並非波爾多「兩塊錢」的廉價酒，但在香港的售價比其他葡萄酒市場低25%至30%。以商人的角度來看，只有另一款梅多克中央銀行葡萄酒 Greysac 能與之媲美。
While some esteemed tasters consider this wine controversial, I found its Margaux-style Cabernet Franc character distinctive. It is approachable and enjoyable, offering excellent value.
James Suckling awarded this wine 91 points, describing the 2013 vintage as excellent. He notes berry flavours with hints of hazelnut and chocolate, a medium body, fine tannins, and a savoury finish. The warmer soils in Tertre benefited the wine during the cool 2013 season.
Neal Martin, writing for Robert Parker in 2014 and 2016, offered a more critical perspective. He described the du Tertre 2013 as having a focused bouquet of red berries and rose petals, though lacking intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins, but lacks finesse and delineation, despite satisfactory length. In 2016, he rated it 85 points, noting reduced fruit, increased tertiary elements, and greater abrasiveness.
Robert Parker describes this 2013 as a promising wine, with aromas of liquorice, black currant, earth, and white chocolate. It has a medium body, sweet, clear blackcurrant flavours, a strong palate, and a long finish. He recommends drinking it over the next ten years or more, and it was awarded a score of 89.
Updated: Jan 12
The following was an Article for my Alma Mata.
In the New Beginning
Ms. Thérèsa Kwan once told me, 'Too many exclamation marks.' Her words were more than a critique; they encouraged me to grow as a writer. Her advice began a journey I still value. I believe many alums share similar memories of when a teacher truly made a difference. Let's celebrate these moments that bring our community together.
From Excessive to Expressive
Exclamation marks can signal excitement, but it is just as essential to share honest, thoughtful ideas. For example, I once wrote, 'This book changed everything! It brought joy, excitement, and a newfound sense of wonder!!!' My teacher, Ms Kwan, called it '肉酸,' which means 'overly sentimental and pretentious.' Hearing this, I felt embarrassed and wondered if I had gone too far with my enthusiasm. Her feedback, given honesty and humour, made her point clear and encouraged me to think more carefully about my writing. After her advice, I changed the sentence to, 'This book changed everything. It brought joy, excitement, and a newfound sense of wonder.' Using Cantonese made her message feel familiar and easy to understand.
To Authenticity and Beyond
These lessons still help me today, mainly when I write messages online, like on WhatsApp or email, where authenticity is often overshadowed by superficiality. To find my own voice and keep things simple, I check my writing to make sure it is balanced, sincere, and expressive. This helps me connect with others in a real way. Following these ideas makes my communication more genuine.
Many alums have faced similar challenges as communication has changed. Adjusting to a digital world, where authenticity can be lost, takes resilience and creativity from all of us. Our shared experience of adapting and blending tradition with technology shows the strength of our community. By embracing these changes and learning from mentors like Ms. Kwan, we have grown as individuals and strengthened the bonds that unite us as alumni. I invite you to reflect on your journey and join in celebrating how far we have come, thanks to the guidance and wisdom of teachers who made a lasting impact.
The Sanity Checks
Ms. Kwan might have told us to ask ourselves:
"Is this piece of writing too sentimental or pretentious?"
"Am I using my own voice?"
"Does this show goodwill, honesty, and fairness?"
These questions help me stay sincere and respectful and ensure readers feel valued.
What Not to Do
That conversation, more valuable than most classes I took 52 years ago, changed how I think about communication. I try not to sound pretentious, unlike people who use big words or share unsupported ideas just to impress. This kind of writing often feels like self-promotion and can make readers question the writer's sincerity. Sometimes, people who call others pretentious may be dealing with their own insecurities. Some try to impress with views that are hard to relate to, focusing on their opinions instead of being objective, which can lead to bias.
Why This Matters
I wrote this piece to honour the late Ms Thérèsa Kwan for the school's 175th anniversary. Her advice still guides me, and maybe you, too, as we aim for honest communication. Meaningful, relatable conversations help us connect and understand each other. As we remember Ms. Kwan, I invite fellow alumni to share stories about teachers who made a difference in their lives. Let's celebrate the lasting influence of the educators who shaped us. If you can, thank a mentor who supported you. To make this a group celebration, I encourage everyone to write a short 100-word tribute to a teacher or mentor who was important in your journey for the school's next anniversary.
