It's rare in Hong Kong to have the opportunity in one evening to sample the wines of more than 60 estates, including 40 from Bordeaux. Wines will be presented by owners and winemakers from the region's most prestigious chateaux: Clos Fourtet, Les Conseillante, Vieux Chateau Certan and Pavie on the Right Bank; and Rauzan Segla, Branaire-Ducru, Grand Puy Lacoste, Lynch-Bages, Pichon Longueville and Pichon Lalande on the Left Bank.
The focus of 'Rendezvous with Fine Wine' on May 28 at the Island Shangri-La is the launch of the 2009 vintage. This is the first opportunity for most to try the wines in a bottle, especially for those who bought sight-unseen or who have only tried at the en primeur, before bottling. The latter even includes himself, says Eric Desgouttes, general manager of Kerry's recently created wine company.
Bordeaux 2009 is a story all by itself. The wines enter a market buzzing with anticipation. There were some thrilling moments in the 2008 campaign, such as when prices of Lafite rose by 40 per cent overnight when it was announced that the label would feature the lucky number eight character.
Following the 2009 en primeurs, prices being touted were rising to unprecedented levels, and this wasn't just because of a frenzied market. It was because of the across-the-board, extraordinary quality of the vintage.
Textbook weather - an essential ingredient in terroir - allowed for concentration, good levels of alcohol, power and weight. Grapes matured steadily, gaining concentration from perfect summer ripening, and then further concentration from the seamless arrival of perfect autumn conditions.
Grapes were picked in wonderful condition, so there was not a hint of rot. All this has led to rich, ripe, opulent wines, but the additional pleasure is that many, if not almost all, are accessible now, particularly when compared with the 2010s.
