CH’NG Poh Tiong
On 29 June 2019, a first-ever dinner featuring Domaine du 1er Juin wines outside China took place in Singapore.
Singapore has become the first country to import wines from Domaine du 1er Juin.
To commemorate the occasion, on 29 June 2019, a dinner was held featuring wines from the Ningxia estate. This was the first time such an event has taken place outside China.
The proprietor of Domaine 1er Juin flew from Shanghai especially for the occasion. It was also LU Mengxi’s first visit to Singapore.
Fluent in French (she holds a Master’s degree in International Wine & Spirits from the Burgundy School of Business in Dijon) and English, LU charmed the audience with her eloquence and frankness.
Domaine du 1er Juin is named for her first son who was born on that date. Her husband is MEI Ningbo, a Burgundy specialist, who is right now writing a book of the region. Mei is also a member of The Chinese Circle, a group of journalist friends who have been visiting Bordeaux since 2018 to taste the futures or en primeurs.
Domaine du 1er Juin is distributed in Singapore by Via Serica. Interested readers can check out www.viaserica.com.sg.
From left, CH’NG Poh Tiong, Philip Woo, Low Siew Khee, LU Mengxi, Francis Seah, Valvinia Chong, and Via Serica’s Ivy Chen.
Tasting Notes
Domaine du 1er Juin Riesling 2017
The vines were first planted in 2010. Because of the poor soil, grapes only appeared in 2015. Domaine du 1er Juin did not pick them. The following year – 2016 – the grapes were harvested and fermented. The domaine did not consider the wine to be up to the standard they wanted and the bottles were not offered for sale. This 2017 is, therefore, the first commercial vintage. Minerally, citrus zesty, Granny Smith apples, with a hint of honey on the middle palate. Good intensity and persistence of fruit. Full of vitality, energy and freshness.
Domaine du 1er Juin Pinot Noir 2016
The structure is very evident when you taste this 3-year old. Still quite taut, this is the most intense Chinese pinot I have come across. Compact blue fruit – with a hint of raspberries – competes with firm, rich tannins particularly from the stems. Lots of freshness. Too young to approach at the moment. A good window of opportunity would be between 2021 and 2023. And beyond.
Domaine du 1er Juin Merlot 2015
Smoky blueberry fruit that is full of lift. The tannins are ripe and with richness. Medium-plus-ish bodied. The vines were planted in 2007 and 2008. Domaine du 1er Juin waited eight years before making this their first vintage. Enjoyable now but will continue to evolve and improve to 2030.
Domaine du 1er Juin Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
As the domaine name suggests Domaine du 1er Juin only produces wines from grapes that it grows. Much sought-after, their small production is hard to come by but are found in some Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, and Shangri-La properties in China. Like the Merlot, the vines were planted in 2007 and 2008 and this, too, is the first vintage. Very Left Bank Médoc-like. Ripe capsicum/blueberry fruit with rich tannins. The balance between fruit, structure and freshness is expertly struck. Decant 30 to 45 minutes. Now to 2035. The allocation to Singapore was 6 bottles. All were snapped up at the dinner and had to be allocated a bottle each to six participants.
