Xavier Vins 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape from Tina Cellar - ( @ Bo Innovation, Hong Kong )

 Tina Cellar a Hong Kong wine importer,  spoke of her fondness for Xavier’s Chateauneuf du Pape wines when she first experienced it about a decade ago by chance.  The measure she has taken to finally convince and secure Mr Xavier’s commitment from their tiny French village is a moving story to be told.    Fast forward to 2013 and Tina is now their exclusive wine distributor in Hong Kong!    Mr Xavier himself is a wine consultant for many big French wineries and his own Xavier Branded CdP wines are cropped from the best of old vines and 2 blended GSM vintages recently got awarded 96 Points by Robert Parker Jr.   He has now collaborated with Michelin 2 Starred Alvin Leung’s Bo Innovation restaurant to blend together a MSG wine  (a word play on GSM, aka Grenache Syrah Mourvedre),   to pair with Alvin’s Asian fusion dishes.

 

Bo Innovation -

 

The starting Wines to warm up the day -

 

 

The Xavier Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme 2007 & 2009-
Have gotten a lot of praise by Wine Advocate and Robert Parker Jr.

 

 

 

Rear:  Base Grenache,  Syrah and Mourvedre for us to play with blending ourselves.
Front Glass:  Our own,   final adjusted blend according to what we think can pair with most foods below at Bo Innovation.   It is work in progress for the afternoon as we hectically played with each component hoping for the best!

 

Canapes to Start with -
Jamon Iberico and Vermicelli . 
Langoustine with Mustard and Saffron Froth.

 

 

REPRESENTING SWEET - 
Cod,  Yellow Miso,  Sauternes Jelly & Seaweed









SOUR -
Vine Tomato braised in Pat Chun Chinese vinegar, Chinkiang vinegar & Pea Shoot.

 

 

 

BITTER -
Fried Squid Ball and Kaffir Lime.
*We thought the Kaffir Lime overpowered the palate a little bit.

HOT -
Lobster poached in Sichuan Pepper, Spicy Bisque, Peas

 

 

 

UMAMI -
Home made Pasta,  ‘Hai Mi’ prawn powder,  Kaniko,  Wooden Fungus.  Quite lovable.

 

 

Xavier’s progressive Blending Experiment on the Spot -
He just blended the 3 Grenache,  Syrah and Mourvedre with different proportions on the spot.  They were all great actually but with very different start to finishing palates and tannin structure.  Ability to age the wines is also taken into consideration by Xavier from his own experience with regards to acidity and tannins present.   The last of these 3 transitional wine blends is going to be the 2010 Cuvee to work with Bo Innovation’s food.

 

Xavier Vins 2009 Cuvee Anonyme -
In the meantime we got to try the 2009 version of Anonyme, with a RPJ rating of 96 points.

 

 

 

Jamon Iberico Gai Daan Jai by Bo Innovation -
Quite good actually,  was a little surprised at how eggy the batter was and also how this paired with the fatty Jamon ham.  

 

 

Price:  Wine Meal was by Invitation
Ease of Access:  4/5
Food:  ♕♕♕♕ to ♕♕♕♕♕
Opening Hours:
Mon to Sat -  12:00pm to 14:00pm, 19:00pm to 00:00am

Address: 灣仔莊士敦道60號 J Senses 2樓13號舖
BO Innovation,  Shop 13, 2/F J Residence, 60 Johnston Road, Wan Chai
Ph: 2850 8371