Dr. NK Yong is a well-known wine connoisseur and philanthopist who is bringing together his two passions and friends from around the world for a charity Wine Gala, Auction and Tasting to celebrate his 85th birthday.
I like to think of Dr. NK Yong as Singapore's "Godfather of Wine." As one of the island's early wine collector/connoisseurs, NK has longstanding ties with big names in the global wine industry, enviable wine allocations from legendary wine producers plus an equally legendary cellar to prove it. Since he's tasted so many great wines with so many knowlegeable wine personalities he earns his Godfather position; he's likely forgotten more about wine in his life than many aspiring aficionados will ever know.
Don't get me wrong about the Godfather title - NK won't break your knee-caps and doesn't demand that you kiss his ring! It's the contrary really. He and his wife Melina host frequent wine gatherings at their home in Singapore with visiting wine personalities. You can't help but feel very privilaged to be a guest at one of these casually posh meals with wine celebrities: there is of course fantastic wine but Melina also dazzles guests with her amazing cooking, which honestly is quite often the more exciting of the two treats!
Five years ago NK and Melina hosted a weekend charity celebration for his 80th birthday - Celebration 80 - an event supported by world-famous vintners, wine-lovers and well-wishers that raised $800,000 for three Singapore charities.
With five more vintages and years to be grateful for - and the same benevolent impulses driving them - NK and Melina are hosting Celebration 85 January 6 - 8 to raise money for the Kidney Dialysis Foundation and the Singapore Children's Society.
This time the wine weekend of fun will be at Capella in Sentosa and kicks off with a Friday night Gala Wine Dinner and Charity Wine Auction conducted by Ms. Serena Sutcliffe, M.W.,
International Head, Wine Department, Sotheby’s London and New York. There is both a live and silent Auction of rare and unique bottles donated by vintners from all over - no doubt some 5-digit bottles in the mix. Tables of 10 are 20k - but there may be the odd single place left for 2k
Both Saturday and Sunday offer a palate-thrilling chance to taste over 60 wines at themed tastings conducted by Ms. Serena Sutcliffe, M.W. and her husband Mr. David Peppercorn, M.W. (Can you imagine the wine discussions in that house?). Tickets for all three tastings are just under 1k per person. The list of wines puts one's salivatory glands into high gear - check out the flights:
TASTING SESSION A
Saturday 7th January
BORDEAUX WHITE & RED and CABERNET SAUVIGNON BLENDS
1 Domaine Chevalier blanc 2009
2 Leuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
3 Araujo Estates Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
4 Bodega Noemia Malbec 2008
2009 Bordeaux
5 Château Cos d'Estournel
6 Château Lynch Bages
7 Château Duhart Milon
8 Château Langoa Barton
9 Château Leoville Barton
10 Château La Lagune
11 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux
12 Château Rauzan Segla
13 Château Palmer
14 Château Haut Bailly
15 Domaine Chevalier rouge
16 Château La Mission Haut Brion
17 La Fleur de Bouard
18 Château Angelus
19 Château Figeac
20 Vieux Château Certan
TASTING SESSION B
Saturday 7th January
RIESLINGS and NON-FRENCH OLD WORLD REDS
1 Kanta Riesling 2010, Egon Muller
2 Hugel Riesling OrigineS 2007, Hugel & Fils
3 Wormser Liebfrauenstift-Kirchenstuck Riesling Trocken 2010, Valkenberg
4 Hermannsholle Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken, 2007 Helmut Doennhoff
5 Dorsheimer Burgberg Riesling Kabinett 2009, Schlossgut Diel
6 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spaetlese 2007, Joh. jos. Prum
7 Gruner Veltliner Kellerberg Smaragd 2010, Weingut F. X. Pichler
8 Steiner Kogl Riesling Erste Lage Kremstal Reserve 2009, Weingut Salomon Undhof
9 Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2007, Weingut Fritz Haag
10 Afynal 2009, Bruno Prats
11 Château Beaucastel rouge 2007, Château Beaucastel
12 Hermitage La Chapelle 2007, Paul Jaboulet
13 Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico 2006, Barone Ricasoli
14 Pino 2007, Tenuta di Biserno
15 Mormoreto 2009, Marchese di Frescobaldi
16 Guado Al Tasso 2007, Marchese Antinori
17 Flaccianello 2006, Azienda Agricola Fontodi
18 Montecarrubo 2007, Peter Vinding Diers
19 Tenuta di Trinoro 2009, Tenuta di Trinoro
20 Brunello di Montalcino 2006, Conti Costanti
21 Barolo Ornato 2006, Pio Cesare
22 Sassicaia 2004, Tenuta San Guido
23 Valbuena 2006, Bodega Vega Sicilia
24 Pingus 2008, Dominio di Pingus
25 L'Ermita 2005, Alvaro Palacios
26 Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 1995, Egon Muller-Scharzhof
TASTING SESSION C
Sunday 8th January 2012
BURGUNDY WHITE AND RED
1 Vire Clesse 2009, Heritiers du Comte Lafon
2 Bourgogne Blanc 2009, Domaine Leflaive
3 Beaune Clos des Mouches blanc 2009, Drouhin
4 Corton Charlemagne 2009, Bonneau du Martray
5 Chambolle Musigny 2009, J. F. Mugnier
6 Nuits St.-Georges 1er cru Clos de la Marechale 2009, J. F. Mugnier
7 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 2001, Comtes de Vogue
8 Echezeaux Grand Cru 2009, Joseph Faiveley
VOSNE ROMANEE 1ER CRU CLOS DES REAS MONOPOLE 150TH ANNIVERSARY VINTAGE
9 2009 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Clos des Reas Monopole, Domaine Michel Gros
10 2005 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Clos des Reas Monopole, Domaine Michel Gros
11 2004 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Clos des Reas Monopole, Domaine Michel Gros
12 2003 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Clos des Reas Monopole, Domaine Michel Gros
13 2002 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Clos des Reas Monopole, Domaine Michel Gros
14 2001 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Clos des Reas Monopole, Domaine Michel Gros
15 2000 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Clos des Reas Monopole, Domaine Michel Gros
16 1999 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Clos des Reas Monopole, Domaine Michel Gros
17 1996 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Clos des Reas Monopole, Domaine Michel Gros
18 1993 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Clos des Reas Monopole, Domaine Michel Gros
19 1990 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Clos des Reas Monopole, Domaine Michel Gros
TLN will be there to make a contribution and report back on the festivities and wines. Contact Jianqi Tan This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in donating to the charities or attending.
Contributed by Sarah Mayo, TLN Editor
