At the black-tie dinner honouring the annual Best of the Best by Robb Report Hong Kong, libations of extraordinary provenance and merit were served to more than 300 attending VIP guests. Since that glamorous gala night, we’ve been inundated with messages bearing the same questions: what was served during the meal, “the second red,” “the one before the beef course,” and, of course, “where can we get more?” Well, the official flights of fancy were carefully selected by expert sommeliers and meticulously (or copiously) tried and tested.
A night of celebration, the evening started off with Champagne. Bollinger has been producing golden bubbles since 1829, and is the first among its peers to obtain the imperial seal of approval from British royalty. As any epicurean or connoisseur knows, not all Champagnes are the same. Bollinger Special Cuvée is cellar-aged for twice as long as required by appellation regulations, and composed of over 85 per cent grand and premier cru of the three main Champagne varieties. Famed for its consistency and complexity, Bollinger remains family-owned to this day—it’s one of the few remaining independent Champagne houses in the world. Bollinger Special Cuvée is “perfect [when] shared among friends, for a simple and meaningful moment. It is the Champagne we give to the people we love and who love nice things,” the brand says of itself. As the evening was one to honour the Best of the Best 2024 by Robb Report Hong Kong, this golden bubble was the apt choice.
As guests were seated at grandly decorated tables festooned with elaborate arrangements, Robert Mondavi Winery 2019 Sauvignon Blanc was poured between introduction and conversation as people mixed and mingled in the cavernous MGM Theatre at MGM Cotai. One of the biggest names in Napa Valley, dating back to more than half a century, Robert Mondavi has been a popular choice among oenophiles, perfect for tastings paired with small bites. An easy sip before the entrée, the fruity, zesty vibe eased guests into the evening.
Between courses of a sumptuous dinner, an award-winning wine flight was poured to complement each dish, starting with the famed Escudo Rojo. Baroness Philippine de Rothschild made her own wine in Chile’s Maipo Valley and offered the world this Chilean excellence from a complex blend of five varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Petit Verdot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. Our first pour was from the Escudo Rojo Reserva Chardonnay 2020; the blended wine revealed its hidden secrets in a subtle way, showcasing Bordeaux refinement with Chilean character. Made traditionally from grapes grown in parcels and matured on oak casks, this New World white wine was a favourite of many.
Nothing like a fine Chianti to break between courses, the rich varietal of Sangiovese grapes that make up the Frescobaldi Tenuta Perano Chianti Classico DOCG 2020 arrived just before the main course to refresh the palate. Born on the Italian hills of Gaiole in Chianti from vineyards far above sea level, the grapes are held in great regard. Legend has it that the terroir provides this nuanced wine because of its rare combination of elevation, exposure, and the shape and slope of the vineyard. Its ruby-red pour possesses intensely fruity aromas and a great tannic structure. A wonderful year for the grapes, the 2019 vintage is the result of a splendid season, providing a rich, balanced wine full of flavour and freshness.
Our final salute for the evening came by way of Escudo Rojo Origine 2019. A fine Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has enticing aromas of blackcurrant and ripe red fruit married with notes of pepper, blond tobacco, and liquorice, which may sound overwhelming but has, in fact, a rather delicate nose. A silken and rounded finish, this was the perfect signature pour to end the grand soirée, as the aftertaste—a lingering melange—leaves nothing but great memories of a glamorous evening that didn’t want to end. Until our next gala!
All the wines mentioned above are available at Jebsen Wines & Spirits.
All images courtesy of Jebsen Wines & Spirits and Robb Report Hong Kong.
