| 1. Vijay Course: Distinctive Use of Water & Long Sandy Waste Bunkers
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2008: hydrating, refreshing, and crisp!
“Fragrant and complex, with a refreshing burst of lime, guava, grapefruit and grass flavors. Wet stone, passion fruit and oyster shell accents add interest, with bright acidity highlighting the vivid finish.” –Wine Spectator 91 pts, Top 2008 Wines.
| | 2. Leadbetter Course: A Friendly Course in Park-Like Surroundings
Janasse Terre d’Argile C.D.R. Villages 2006: A friendly, approachable wine that conveys a warm, lifting feeling of companionship.
"Very enticing, with graphite, blackberry paste, raspberry, ganache and sweet spice notes. The long, juicy finish really lets the graphite edge take over.“ –Wine Spectator 91 pts.
| | 3. Zhang Lianwei Course: A Leisure Par 3 Course
Grace Vineyard Tasya’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004: This pairing reveals Chinese talent and potential. The Zhang Lianwei Course is designed by the talented Chinese golfer. Grace Vineyard is located in Shanxi, China. Committed to quality, the owner imported everything from grapevines to foreign winemakers.
Ten years later, the emphasis on superior quality has paid off. Famous wine critics including Jancis Robinson recognize Grace Vineyard as the Chinese winery with the most potential. Our featured wine – Tasya Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 – has won a commended award by the Decanter Magazine.
| | 4. Duval Course: Quality From Traditional Touch
Château de Carles 2000: Traditions and quality are emphasized at this prestigious estate in Fronsac, Bordeaux.
“…a sweet bouquet of black fruits, minerals, truffles, licorice, and graphite. It is long, concentrated, and intense.“ – Robert Parker 90-92 pts.
| | 5. Pete Dye Course: 80 Years of Experience Produces Greatness
Château Puygueraud 2005: As mentioned in the manga God’s Tear ç¥ï¿½ä¹‹æ°´æ»´, the success of the Puygueraud is the result of 30+ years of passionate cultivation by the Thienpont family (owns Le Pin).
“Shows lovely black currant, floral and black licorice notes. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a tight bead of fruit and mineral throughout. Has a long finish. “ – WS 92 pts. Top 2008 Wines.
| | 6. Faldo Course: A Beauty with Forested Hillsides & Spectacular Greens
Hentley Farm The Beauty 2006: A wine not only “beautiful” in name, but spectacular in its bouquet with notes of fruits, flowers, and delicious sweet spices.
“Rich, ripe and generous, but not heavy, with a blanket of sweet spicy oak and superfine tannins enveloping a pulsing core of blackberry, blueberry and plum fruit. The finish keeps echoing beautifully.“ – Wine Spectator 93 pts.
| | 7. Els Course: Big but not So Easy
Château de Fieuzal 2000: 2000 is a big year for Bordeaux and thus not so easily approachable for enjoyment now.
“Aromas of lead pencil, tobacco leaf, licorice, and creme de cassis are offered in an outstanding, medium to full-bodied, concentrated style. There is tremendous purity as well as flavor dimension. This opaque ruby/purple-colored offering is one of the finest de Fieuzals produced over the last decade.” – Robert Parker 90 pts.
| | 8. Norman Course: A Dense & Difficult Course
Prunotto Barolo 2004: Barolo made from the Nebbiolo grape is quite dense and difficult when young.
“Wonderful perfumes of red fruit and ripe strawberry, with hints of violet. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a long, caressing finish. A refined style.” – Wine Spectator 91 pts.
| | 9. Ozaki Course: Zen-like Atmosphere with a Japanese Touch
Château Lagrange 1998: Lagrange had a struggling history with vineyard disease, war, ownership succession and financial turmoil. So despite being a third growth, its quality rarely outshone the other grand crus wines. This changed in the 1980s with the Japanese Suntory Group investing immense capital to revamp the estate. Since then, Lagrange has surged in quality and regained its spot in the international limelight.
“This dark ruby-colored, elegant, attractive effort offers spicy new oak, medium body, excellent concentration as well as depth, surprising softness, and early appeal.” – Robert Parker 88 pts.
“Harmonious… with currant, vanilla, and fresh fruits” – Wine Spectator.
| | 10. Annika Course: The First Design, Where Her Heart Is
Calon Ségur 2003: Its famous label is based on a comment made by Marquis de Ségur, who once owned Lafite, Latour, Mouton and Calon Ségur: “I make wine at Lafite and Latour but my heart is at Calon.”
”Loads of crushed berries, with mineral, lightly toasted oak and licorice. Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish.” –Wine Spectator 95 pts.
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11. Olazabal Course: A Treacherous Battlefield with 154 Bunkers
The Olazabal Course is the toughest course in Mission Hills with 154 bunkers along two large lakes. It requires someone with solid skill sets and great mentality to master it. We chose Chateau Talbot to pair against this battle ground. Named after an audacious general, Talbot is a big, bold wine – one that has turned many drinkers into wine lovers.
Château Talbot 2000: “Beautiful aromas of raspberries, Indian spices, crushed flowers and berries. Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit and silky tannins. Long and delicious. A very fine and pretty wine. Best Talbot in years.” –Wine Spectator 93 pts.
| | 12. World Cup Course: Forever Ranked Among the Best
Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the World Cup course is recognized as one of the top courses in China. In the heart of the wine lovers, this prestigious course can be compared to the highly esteemed Chateau Margaux.
Château Margaux 2002: “This wine reveals a dense ruby/purple color in a style somewhat reminiscent of the 1988 but with more power, concentration, and volume. It has a beautifully elegant nose of black fruits intermixed with truffle, flower, and oak. The wine is medium to full-bodied, dense, with wonderful precision, freshness, and a long, full-bodied finish with impressive levels of concentration.“ – Robert Parker 93 pts.
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Hosted at Mission Hills Golf Club’s function room, over 140 wine lovers participated in this wine & golf tasting journey. Beside the wine tasting, there were putting games and lucky draws. Mission Hills Golf Club generously sponsored complimentary green fees and free nights at its five star hotel & spa resort.
Last but not least, a big thank you to our partners Mission Hills Golf Club and Asia Cruises for making this event so successful!
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