Bottega Rose Gold

Pinot Nero Spumante Brut, vol. 11.5% (200ml)

The little bottle was complimentary when we purchased some hard liqueur from the Changi duty free. A sparkling wine series from Bottega, which places a safe bet with the Pinot Noir grapes.

It was sparkling fresh, and distinctly flowery with scent of mixed berries, mainly currants. But I remembered enjoying the Jacobs Creek's better.

2010 Carmen Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon

Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon, Alto Maipo ($35) 14% Vol.

A delicious wine to sum up year 2016.

This bottle of Carmen has aged pass 3 Christmas. It has a strong fruity, blackcurrant aromas that linger on our palates, while the alcohol bites lightly. All sweet and smoky bitter at the same time, i simply couldn't separate them. Great body and length, balanced acidity.

A rare good wine from Chile, when most of theirs are too spicy.

Bavaria Radler Lemon

Bavaria Radler Lemon, Vol. 2% (330ml, 4s for $10.90)

Radler, or shandy is blond lager blended with lemonade or lemon-lime soda. A beverage made popular as a thirst quencher with low alcoholic content than beer, for the dizzying summer.

So far, we had only tasted Jolly Shandy, a lemonade with real beer at 1% vol. Bavaria does it better at 2%, but still we can't feel the alcohol. The strong fizziness of the radler did help pumped up the alcohol at certain point of our drink though.

You could imagine this is an expensive Sprite, doubled its carbonation, lesser the artificial sweetness with a hint of lemon citrus. A thin body with a sweet finish.

2001 Camus Bordeaux

Camus Classic Wines 2001, 12% vol (350ml)

Camus, the French Cognac company since 1863, had offered this selection of red from the famous Bordeaux region of France in 2001. The bottle has aged well - the alcohol still has the bite, but proven futile; smooth tannis with a clear taste of the grapes.

Notice the old logo of Camus? If this is a bottle of Cognac reserve since 2001, we would have struck gold and wouldn't be drinking it.

Strongbow Apple Ciders Honey

Strongbow Apple Ciders Honey, Vol. 5% (330ml, 4s for $17.80)

Guess we'll never like ciders. Not the popular Somersby, or the Strongbow tonight.

It's just something to do with personal preference. When going to alcohol, we are looking for that bitterness and mild kick to be registered. Not a sweet something that's neither here, nor there. A good beer, is already the 'crisp, refreshing and light' options.

Guess we'll never like ciders. Not for any obvious sweetness in our alcohol.

Nederburg - Western Cape and Wine of Origin Paarl

Nederburg Paarl Riesling 2006

Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Nederburg, South Africa - since 1791.

It was usual for wine of South Africa to 'burn'. Nederburg is no exception. The tannins are supple, no less. Rich, bold and full-bodied, you'll greatly appreciate red meat to help down the bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon's grapes.

We enjoy the dry Riesling, better. Unlike our usually sweet Austrian White, this one 'kicks' and are of character. I like it.

2011 Yerring Station Diamond Valley Regional Collection Cabernet Merlot

Diamond Valley Cabernet Merlot 2011 ($22.99 per bottle)

Diamond Valley, best known for their Blue and White Label wines released on an annual cycle. We thus never know how this Regional collection comes about; probably after the owner of Yering Station, the Rathbone family bought over the Diamond Valley brand from the Lance family in Jan 2005?

This Australian Bordeaux blend has powerful flavor profiles with intense structure, deep tannins and ripe berry flavors. In other words, its high acidity and full-bodied are difficult, and best paired with red meat and spicy fare that can stand up to its strong tannins.

So having done 2 bottles of these Australia Bordeaux style blends, and not enjoying them; what am i to do with 3 more bottles to go? They are definitely suitable for aging and will benefit from some decanting to allow them to 'open up'. We shall not waste them now.

To visit the Yarra Valley, I found this this link. 

Trivento Tribu, Cabernet Sauvignon Argentina 2010

Cabernet Sauvignon, from Mendoza Argentina, 13.5% vol (Promotion: 2 for $27.90)

Another quiet drink on a Saturday night.

We came to realize that Trivento Tribu from Argentina - a region not famous for their reds, actually tastes reasonable. We went in not expecting much, but upon first taste the tannins are rather rounded out, a slight fruity here; and i especially like its earthy feel.

The red doesn't fair badly for a bottle at this price range. We shared the bottle between us, and it doesn't dry us like our usual wineing. We simply don't feel thirsty after our drink tonight. Nice.

My last check of prices for the bottle at the NTUC Fairprice is now at $29.20 - which is a big jump from our buy last year. It now comes with an attractive print, but we don't know if its content has improved; else it shouldn't command the higher tag.

Chateau de Candale Chateau Roc de Candale Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2001

Chateau Roc de Candale, 13% vol.

Ever since Chateau de Clotte in 2012, i was introduced to France Bordeaux wine and has been fond of it for its subtle but distinct difference from Australia's red. Maybe our bottles of Bordeaux have always been mellow, earthy and easy.

This 2001 vintage from Chateau de Candale winery is 14 years aged. Have been meaning to enjoy the bottle sooner, but until now. Great color and nose; just a tad musty. Smooth tannins and delicious. A fine St. Emilion merlot.

Carlsberg Group - Somersby and 1664 Blanc!

Somersby Pear Cider, 4.5% vol. ($16.50 for 4s, 330ml)

Kronenbourg 1664, 5% vol. ($24.90 for 6s, 330ml)

We didn't know both of these popular brands are from the Carlsberg Group. This is such great success. Between the 2 however, we prefer the wheat beer to sweet cider.

The UK Cider promotes healthiness with composition of mainly pear juice, with no artificial flavors or sweeteners. A pretty drink like sparkling champagne with sweetness, bubbles and fruitiness. Fairy tales too.

But for seasoned ladies drinkers, we like the 1664 French wheat beer. Less of sweet fantasy, more on soothe bitterness with sensible aromas of citrus, lemon and coriander spices.

This will be my favorite beer for celebratory occasion, like today.

Kaiserdom Hefe-Weissbier Naturtrüb

German Kaiserdom, 1L (Promotional price $14.90)

Weeks of overtime and burned weekends, the man is finally home this Sunday. Surely he deserves an ice-chilled beer, a whole litre of it. TV news and movie with chips, followed by an afternoon nap before work on Monday resumed.

The Kaiserdom (remember it's Naturtrüb) is bitterly yeasty, with a good hint of fruitiness. It's like being macho, yet ever gentlemanly. We like it. Need stock this up. The man's project has yet see light at the end of the tunnel.

Happy Hour at Barossa Bar

Black Angus beef sliders (free-flow for Happy Hour)

House Red ($12++ by glass, $60++ by bottle)

A casual night out at the Esplanade waterfront where we leisurely enjoyed their many free concerts and performance, put up for the weekends. Taking to the glass heightened the mood; our illuminated cityscape looking more stunning than ever as we strolled across the new Jubilee Bridge - we felt enveloped by this modern city!

Now, i just wished the black Angus beef sliders at Barossa Bar wasn't of burger patty material, and were better browned for that charred aroma. Maybe another night.

Night View from the Esplanade Outdoor Theater

Jacob's Creek Sparkling Rose

Jacob's Creek Sparkling Rose, 11.5% vol.

Sweet sparkling wine for the troubled soul; and so i thought.
For our rare weekday night together.

Jacob's Creek is owned and produced by Orlando Wines in the small township of Rowland Flat in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. This wine showcases Pinot Noir grapes, with fresh strawberry and red currant notes followed by some delicate citrus from the Chardonnay. It finishes soft, with lingering berry flavors. Delightful. Serve chilled.

Suddenly, the night seems brighter.

Wyndham Estate BIN 444 Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

BIN 444 Cabernet-Sauvignon, 14% vol. ($36)

Thirsty? We were, for this is good wine.

We sip on the red, and weren't in a hurry to proceed with lunch. Cheers.

the Little Penquin Shiraz 2008

the Little Penquin Shiraz, 13.5% vol. ($24.90)

A wonderful bottle from the Little Penguin, South Eastern Australia. And boy! With Singapore higher taxes on alochol, the reds here are up by at least $4 per bottle.

Here, wishing you a Holy Christmas & a Blessed 2015!!

Montaillac Cuvée Vin De Pay Merlot 2011

Montaillac Cuvée Vin De Pay Merlot 2011, 12% vol.

When you host, pay attention or even test out the wine that restaurants offered to package into your dinner. Avoid the bad luck of helping to clear their cart of lousy wine.

The bottle here is especially base. Probably my worst so far, and it says product of France - you could booze this like a fish and suffered an absolute plain aftertaste, devoid of vine grapes.

I gulped down my glass and got a little woozy while my partner returned his. We had rather have tea.

Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon 1995

Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% vol. ($84)

With proper storage, this blend is recommended to cellar for up to 15 years. Still we have our doubts as this is actually a forgotten bottle in the basement...

It tastes great! Made from Cape Mentelle's oldest vines planted in 1970s at Margaret River, Western Australia, the wine is of great depth and complexity.

Not forgetting, during the period of bottle maturation this fine wine has thrown a natural tartrate deposit, thus we decant prior to serving.

Cheers.

Heart & Soul - South Eastern Australia Sweet Shiraz Moscato

Heart & Soul Sweet Shiraz Shiraz Moscato, 11% vol.

TGIF!!

This is our after-dinner wine by Andrew Peace Wines - sparkling sweet and dry at the same time! Now the man has no complaint. Scarcely ever, i'm drinking up faster than he does.

As jovial as seeping Brown Brothers sparkling red...! This is delicious.

2011 Grand Jacques Cabernet Sauvignon vin 188

Grand Jacques Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.5%  vol. (HK$116)

Friend brought few bottle of these from Hong Kong for our gathering this afternoon; cited we couldn't get the vintage in Singapore. Can we?

Benefiting Hong Kong exchange for the nice flavour of this rich and elegant wine makes it worth the trouble of bringing it over. If you find this in Singapore, let me know, ok? Yes, i want to buy.

Trivento Tribu, Pinot Noir Argentina 2010

Argentina Trivento Tribu, 13.5% vol ($13.90)

I had thought all pinot noir grapes to taste somewhat there, but guess i am seriously mistaken. The Trivento, described of having "red fruits and violets; young with a touch of smooth oak" - was too abstract to be readily savour.

We both though this is a dry blend; not that i'm complaining because compared to the sweet
Pinot Noir of Naked Grape, we do prefer this drier blend. It depends on what's your take.