Chateau Leoville-Las Cases 1985

At its pinnacle, the Chateau Leoville-Las Cases 1985 is remarkably youthful, brilliant ruby-brick in color, demonstrating sophisticated aromas of pencil led, leather, casis and a hint of bitter chocolate. On the palate it offers a velvity mouthful of smooth round tanins and a delicate long finish. Drink now + 5 years. Score 18/20. Hogi Hyun, 31 Dec 2004.

Krug Grande Cuvee NV

Austere and tart, the Krug Grande Cuvee NV is pale gold with fine bubbles, holding back on the nose with hints of yeast, damp cellar and must, followed by aromas of sour grapes and green apples. Dry and tart on the palate, it demonstrates good body with a hint of quince on the long finish. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 31 Dec 2004.

Chateau Climens 1999

Rich and restrained, the Chateau Climens 1999 (Barsac, Bordeaux) is a beautiful medium gold color, delivering rich aromas of peach, cantalope and passion fruit, followed by an unctuous palate of buttery tangerine and soft acidity, ending in a smooth, rich and very long finish. Drink now + 20 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 31 Dec 2004.

Bodegas Marques de Murrieta Ygay Capellania Reserva 1997

Possibly heat damaged or lightly corked, the medium gold and clear 1997 Ygay Capellania Reserva from Bodegas Marques de Murrieta (Rioja) throws off aromas of yeast, damp wood, vanilla, oak and burnt sugar, with tart acids on the palate and a dry, grapefruit peel finish. Re-Taste, possible bottle damage. Score 11/20. Hogi Hyun, 30 Dec 2004.

Pagodes de Cos 1995

Mature and elegant, the Pagodes de Cos 1995 (second wine of Chateau Cos d'Estournel, St. Estephe, Bordeaux) is medium ruby with light browning at the edge, showing off aromas of cedar, minerals and lead, followed by flavours of cassis and a hint of coffee. It delivers a mouthful of concentrated fruit, good balance, melted tanins and an elegant finish. Drink now + 5 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 28 Dec 2004.

Chateau de Fieuzal 1995

Elegant and refined, the Chateau de Fieuzal 1995 (Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux) is medium ruby with a hint of orange, displaying beautifully blended aromas of tobacco, leather, toasted oak and cissis, followed by a smooth palate, soft tanins, great balance and a slightly light but long finish. Drink now + 5 years. Socare 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 26 Dec 2004.

Chateau Angelus 1989

Powerful and majestic, the Chateau Angelus 1989 (St. Emilion, Bordeaux) does not show its 15 years, with a deep ruby color, concetrated aromas of cranberry, toasted oak and a hint of musk, it open on the palate with huge velvity delivery of smooth tanins, rich concentration and a long punchy finish. Drink now + 10 years. Score 17/20. Hogi Hyun, 25 Dec 2004.

Louis Roederer Brut Premier

Mature and earthy, the Louis Roederer Brut Premier (Champagne) displays aromas of figs, dried prunes, raisins and green mango, followed by a delicate palate with good balance and acidity, soft cream of tartar, layers of flavour and a long tangy finish. Drink now. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 25 Dec 2004.

Chateau Lafite 1993

Refined and elegant, the Chateau Lafite 1993 (Pauillac, Bordeaux) exhibits strong pencil led aromas and hints of creme de cassis, smoke and coffee. The tanins are melted but paired with weak fruit and a slightly hollow center. Beautifully smooth finish. Drink now. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 24 December 2004.

Charles Cimicky Reserve Shiraz 2002

Dense and heavily extracted, the Charles Cimicky Reserve Shiraz 2002 (Barossa Valley) posesses savory aromas of chocolate, tobacco, and vanilla, paired with blackberry, liquorice, pepper and spice. A velvity palate displays striking tanins and good balance with a long fruity finish. Drink now + 5 years. Socre 15/20. Hogi Hyun, 23 Dec 2004.

Chateau Clerc Milon 1996

Disappointing, the Chateau Clerc Milon 1996 (Pauillac, Bordeaux) is dry with aromas of leather, cedar and currants with a slight barnyard smell. Tart tanins and stingy fruit mar the palate. Re-taste, possible bottle damage. Score 12/20. Hogi Hyun, 18 Dec 2004.

Chateau Le Bon Pasteur 1994

Deep ruby and clear, the Chateau Le Bon Pasteur 1994 (Pomerol, Bordeaux) displays mature aromas of leather, cedar and spice, coupled wiht toasty oak and a hint of cassis. On the palate the tanins weigh heavily on and fruit, giving way to a long finish. Drink now. Score 13/10. Hogi Hyun, 18 Dec 2004.

Leon Beyer Riesling 2002

Clear pale yellow with a tinge of green, the Leon Beyer Riesling 2002 emits an overpowering aroma of kerosene, sulphur and rusty minerals, followed by hints of grapefruit peel. Dry and tart with a lemony acidity on the finish. Possible faulty bottle. Score 9/20. Hogi Hyun, 18 Dec 2004.

Serge Dagueneau Pouilly Fume 2003

Young and elegant, the Serge Dagueneau Pouilly Fume 2003 (Pouilly Fume, Loire) exhibits aromas of quince, honeydew and lemon, with a velvity palate, soft acidity and a fresh but short finish. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 18 Dec 2004

Chateau Branaire (Duluc-Ducru) 1995

Still young and a bit recluse, the Chateau Branaire (Duluc-Ducru) 1995 displays delicate aromas of leather and cedar, coupled with cassis prunes and spice. On the palate it delivers a concentrated mouthful with good balance and fine tanins, and a touch of acidity on the finish. Wait 5 - 10 yeras. Score 15/20. Hogi Hyun, 14 December 2004.

Chateau La Dominique 1995

Deep ruby and clear, with a slight brown tinge on the edge, the Chateau La Dominique 1995 (St. Emilion, Bordeaux) emits a refined perfume of violets, aromas of toasted oak and leather, and delivers a concentrated mouthful of prunes and black liquorice, with fine tanins and a long finsh laced with a touch of acidity. Drink now + 5 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 14 December 2004.

Grans-Fassian Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling-Spatlese 2002

Refreshing and zesty, the Grans-Fassian Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling-Spatlese 2002 (Mosel, Gremany) displays light aromas of grapefruit peel, apricots, and peaches, with a tart acidity and clear fruit. This semi-sweet Riesling is light bodied, almost efervescent with a long lemony finish. Drink now + 5 years. Score 15/20. Hogi Hyun, 14 Dec 2004.

Chateau Canon-la-Gaffeliere 1996

Deep ruby and clear, the Chateau Canon-la-Gaffeliere 1996 (St. Emilion, Bordeaux) opens with a promising nose of concetrated cassis and cedar, but follows on the palate with shallow fruit, pert tanins, a hole in the mid-palate and a sharp finish. Re-taste, possibly damaged bottle. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 13 Dec 2004.

Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer “Heimbourg” 2000

Beautifully clear gold, the Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer “Heimbourg” 2000 glows with aromas of pear, honeydew, honey and dried apricots, with just a hiint of vegetal notes. Concetrated on the palate, with tart acids balancing a round sweatness, the wine has a very long finish with a lingering lemon rind bitterness. Drink now + 20 years. Score 17/20. Hogi Hyun, 13 Dec 2004.

Clos du Marquis 1994

Still youthful, the deep ruby Clos du Marquis 1994 (St. Julien, Bordeaux) displays nice aromas of cassis and raseberry followed by vivid tanins and good balance, but poor concentration and a weak mid-palate. Drink now. Score 15/20. Hogi Hyun, 12 Dec 2004.

Chateau Longueville au Baron de Pichon -Longueville 1994

Medium ruby and clear, the Chateau Longueville au Baron de Pichon -Longueville 1994 (Pauillac, Bordeaux) exhibits masculin aromas of leather, cedar and pencil shavings with a hint of cassis. Well baloanced a smooth on the palate, the 1994 is short on fruit and lacks concentration, ending in a disappointingly short finish. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 12 Dec 2004.

Leon Beyer Riesling Vendange Tardive 1995

Clear gold, the Leon Beyer Riesling Vendange Tardive 1995 (Alsace) posesses a beautiful open nose of grapfruit peel and ripe pineapple, followed on the palate with ripe white fruits, honey and a citrus acidity, all packed into a long complex finish. Drink now + 10 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 10 Dec 2004.

Chateau Chasse-Spleen 2001

Brilliant deep purple, this Chateau Chasse-Spleen 2001 (Moulis-en-Medoc, Bordeux) exhibits aromas of leather, tobacco, violets and sweet balck berries. It’s medium bodied, with smooth tanins and acherry cogh drop palate, but lacks concetration and suffers from a short finish. Re-taste in 3-5 years. Score 12/20. Hogi Hyun, 7 December 2004.

Chateau Latour 1964

An amazing 40 year old, the Chateau Latour 1964 (Pauillac, Bordeaux) is deep ruby with no sign of browning, displaying forward aromas of prune, cranberry and roast meat, with a subtle palate of silky tanins, delicate fruit and a long, refined finish. Drink now. Score 17/20. Hogi Hyun, 6 Dec 2004.

Chateau Potensac 1997

Ruby and browining at the edges, the Chateau Potensac 1997 (Medoc, Bordeaux, France) displays a masculin nose full of leather and cigar box with a hint of Robitusum. On the palate the tanins are bare, with little fruit, ending in an austere finish. Drink now. Socre 13/20. Hogi Hyun, 5 Dec 2004

Torbreck The Steading 2002

A super ripe cherry pie wine, Torbreck The Steading 2002 (Barossa Valley, Australia) is deep purple, with aromas of cherry pie, chololate, caramel and prunes, a huge palate of over-ripe red fruits, good balance and hot tanins with a huge fruity finish. Drink now + 5 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 3 Dec 2004.

Chateau Lafon-Rochet 1995

Medium ruby in color and starting to brown at the edges, the Chateau Lafon-Rochet 1995 (St. Estephe, Boreax, France) exhibits aromas of tobacco, brunt wood and chocolate coupled with hints of prunes and black currants. Soft tanins and fading fruit on the palate, and a dry flat finish. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 1 Dec 2004.

Chateau Duhart-Milon 1996

Big and majestic, the Chateau Duhart-Milon 1996 (Pauillac, Bordeaux, France) displays classic aromas of leather, pencil lead and toast coupled with concentrated red fruit and cedar. On the palate it demonstates balance, melted tanins and a dry, powerful finish. Drink now + 10 years. Score 17/20. Hogi Hyun, 30 Nov 2004.