Selection
Selection
Il Poggione 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli
Italian Red
Intense ruby in the glass, with layered red cherry and plum joined by savoury spice, leather and a quiet tobacco note. The palate is full and concentrated, balancing ripe fruit with bright acidity and firm, polished tannins. Cedar and earthy detail build through the middle, while the finish remains long, structured and composed. Decant before serving with roast beef, braised game, mushroom dishes, truffles or mature hard cheese.
Julien Barge 2016 Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde
French
Macerated cherry, cassis and damson plum lead a concentrated, savoury profile. Tea, olive and lightly singed wood add depth without overwhelming the fruit. The palate is dense and harmonious, with fully integrated tannins, lively balance and a clear iron-mineral line. Bitter cherry and dark fruit persist through a precise, extended finish. Decant before serving with roast lamb, duck, venison or lentils with herbs.
La Croix de Beaucaillou 2010 Saint-Julien
French Wine
Dark cherry, boysenberry and cassis open with crushed violet, dark plum and a touch of date. The palate is rich and generous, with cigar box, pencil lead, iron and warm spice adding classical Left Bank detail. Firm, integrated tannins give the wine shape, while fresh acidity keeps the finish precise and persistent. Decant before serving with roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck or mature cheese.
Dame de Montrose 2018 Saint-Estephe
French Wine
Bright, intense ruby with blueberry, blackcurrant and Morello cherry at the centre. Fig and dried fruit add depth, while integrated oak and delicate spice remain in the background. The palate is opulent yet refined, built around silky tannins and a clear, structured line. Dark fruit carries into a long, powerful finish. Decant and serve with roast beef, lamb, duck or earthy mushroom dishes.
Trediberri 2019 Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata
Italian Red
Lustrous ruby, with pure cherry, kirsch and rose petal lifted by mint, floral perfume and a cool mineral note. The palate is full and expressive without losing finesse, carrying lush cherry fruit over polished, persistent tannins. Aromatic detail builds through the finish, where fruit, spice and freshness remain in balance. Decant before serving with braised beef, venison, truffle dishes, mushroom risotto or aged hard cheese.
Telmo Rodriguez 2017 La Estrada Rioja
Spanish Red
Dark cherry and dried red fruit meet potpourri, leather and a quiet earthy note. The palate is ripe yet fresh, with red and dark fruit framed by dusty tannins, subtle spice and restrained vanilla. A faint rustic character gives the wine texture and individuality, while the finish remains long and composed. Decant before serving with roast lamb, grilled pork, braised beef, mushrooms or aged Manchego.
Cobb 2017 Emmaline Ann Vineyard Pinot Noir
American Red
Perfumed and finely drawn, with bright cranberry, red cherry and a hint of plum framed by rose, lavender and forest floor. The palate is light on its feet yet concentrated, carrying fresh red fruit over subtle spice, dried mushroom and savoury herbal notes. Fine texture and clear acidity give the wine focus, while the finish remains long and nuanced. Serve with duck, roast pork, salmon, lentils or wild mushrooms.
Cesare Bussolo 2019 Barolo Fossati
Italian Red
Rose petal and violet lead into sour cherry, blackberry and dried plum, with tar, tobacco and licorice adding a distinctly savoury dimension. The palate is structured and energetic, shaped by bright acidity and firm, fine-grained tannins. Mineral detail carries through a long, composed finish that balances fruit, earth and spice. Decant before serving with braised beef, osso buco, roast lamb, mushroom risotto or aged hard cheese.
Gallica 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
American Red
Deep ruby and finely evolved, with red cherry, raspberry and rose petal lifted by dried tobacco and sage. Dark plum, currant and bramble carry the palate, joined by bay leaf and a measured savoury edge. The tannins are integrated yet gently gravelly, giving the wine quiet structure without obscuring its freshness. Decant briefly and serve with roast beef, grilled lamb, braised short ribs or wild mushrooms.
Ken Wright Cellars 2017 Tanager Vineyard Pinot Noir
American Red
Raspberry, cranberry and cherry are sharply defined, with violet, apricot and dusky spice adding lift and detail. The palate opens firm and structured, then softens gradually, revealing layered red fruit, a touch of orange peel and refined tannins. Texture and freshness carry the wine through a composed, persistent finish. Decant briefly and serve with duck, roast pork, salmon, wild mushrooms or earthy lentil dishes.
Lanson Black Label Brut NV
French Wine
Bright straw in the glass, with a lively mousse and fine, persistent bubbles. Apple, pear and citrus lead the aroma, joined by toast, honey, white flowers and a gentle almond note. The palate is creamy yet brisk, balancing broad texture with clean acidity and a dry, lingering finish. Serve well chilled as an aperitif or alongside oysters, smoked salmon, roast poultry or soft-ripened cheese.
Selvapiana 2022 Chianti Rufina Magnum
Italian Red
Fresh red berries and dusky cherry open with citrus peel, hibiscus and a faint smoky-earthy note. The palate is medium-bodied and bright, with crisp acidity, dusty tannins and a fine, energetic shape. Red fruit remains central as loam and gentle wood smoke emerge toward a lingering, savoury finish. Serve with tomato-braised meats, grilled sausages, mushroom pasta or firm Tuscan cheese.
Bibi Graetz 2019 Testamatta
Italian Red
Black cherry and plum lead with violet, candied orange peel, sandalwood and a savoury earthy note. The palate is full yet precise, carrying layered red and dark fruit over polished, velvety tannins. Fresh acidity and a chalky mineral line keep the richness focused, while spice and dried herbs extend the finish. Decant before serving with grilled lamb, mushroom risotto, roast game or aged pecorino.
Figli Luigi Oddero 2015 Barolo
Italian Red
Camphor, rose and wild herbs open over raspberry, ripe Morello cherry and a gentle earthy note. The palate is round and juicy, with polished tannins supporting the fruit and savoury layers of new leather, star anise, cinnamon and brown spice. The finish is balanced, persistent and already expressive, while retaining the structure expected of mature Nebbiolo. Decant carefully and serve with braised beef, porcini, truffle dishes or aged Piedmontese cheese.
B Cellars 2014 Blend 26
American Red
Ripe cherry, cedar and cocoa lead, with tobacco and dark spice adding depth. The palate is concentrated and full, built around Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with substantial fruit and a firm, polished frame. Oak contributes warmth and structure while the savoury notes keep the richness composed. Give it air before serving with grilled steak, braised short ribs, roast mushrooms or firm aged cheese.
B Cellars 2014 Maldonado Vineyard Chardonnay
American White
Green apple, pear and key lime open with clean brightness, followed by nutmeg, subtle oak and a light coconut accent. The palate has generous fruit and measured weight, but crisp acidity keeps the texture focused and energetic. Citrus carries through the middle, while restrained oak adds shape without overwhelming the wine. Serve lightly chilled with roast chicken, butter-poached shellfish, grilled halibut or creamy vegetable dishes.
Mullineux Olerasay No. 2 Solera-Aged Straw Wine 375 mL
South African Dessert
Baked apricot, honeysuckle and marmalade rise from a deep golden glass, followed by honeyed richness and a gentle nutty edge. The palate is intensely concentrated yet held in balance by vivid acidity, so the natural sweetness feels bright rather than heavy. A long, layered finish carries dried fruit and citrus peel. Serve lightly chilled with hazelnut tart, blue cheese or fruit-based desserts; a small pour is ample.
Giuseppe Cortese 2021 Barbaresco Rabajà
Italian Red
Raspberry, cherry and plum lead a lifted, complex nose, joined by wilted rose, tea and a touch of undergrowth. The palate is juicy and finely structured, with tightly woven tannins giving the red fruit definition and length. Savoury earth and dried herbs build through the middle, while the finish remains firm, fresh and persistent. Decant before serving with braised beef, roast lamb, porcini or aged hard cheese.
Castello di Bossi 2008 Corbaia Toscana IGT 3 L
Italian Red
Blackcurrant, cherry and cassis lead with tobacco, dark chocolate and a measured touch of coffee. The palate is concentrated and energetic, combining layers of ripe fruit with substantial tannins and fresh acidity. New-oak spice is present but held within a balanced, harmonious frame, while the finish remains long and composed. Decant carefully and serve with bistecca, roast lamb, wild mushrooms or aged pecorino.
Catena Zapata 2020 Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae Malbec
Argentinian Red
Spicy black fruit and delicate flowers lead a highly aromatic nose, with plum, sour cherry, herbs and graphite adding detail. The palate is rounded and smooth yet precise, its ripe fruit supported by moderate acidity, fine grip and a chalky limestone impression. Freshness keeps the concentration poised through a long, mineral finish. Decant before serving with grilled lamb, braised beef or roasted eggplant.
Domaine René Rostaing 2024 Condrieu La Bonnette
French White
Lemon flesh, just-ripe apricot and white peach rise with spring blossom, honeysuckle and a light touch of spice. The palate is fleshy and concentrated but markedly fresh, its well-integrated acidity bringing energy and precision. Lemon peel, bergamot and a fine mineral line carry through the long, clean finish. Serve lightly chilled with scallops, roast chicken, creamy shellfish dishes or delicately spiced vegetable plates.
Clos du Val 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
American Red
Cranberry, red plum and cherry open with cassis, lavender and savoury touches of thyme and sage. The palate is medium to full-bodied yet fresh, framed by fine-grained, supple tannins and balanced acidity. A quiet mocha note adds depth without obscuring the fruit, and the finish is long, smooth and focused. Decant briefly and serve with grilled beef, lamb chops or roasted mushrooms.
August Kesseler 2013 Cuvée Max Spätburgunder Trocken
German Red
Fine redcurrant opens over sous-bois, autumn leaf and a quiet savoury edge. The palate is concentrated and firmly structured, with mature tannins and a taut line of acidity giving the fruit definition. Earthy woodland notes deepen through the middle, while the finish remains dry, persistent and composed rather than heavy. Decant carefully to soften the structure; serve with duck, roast veal, mushroom dishes or aged alpine cheese.
Giovanni Chiappini 2013 Guado de’ Gemoli Bolgheri Superiore Magnum
Italian Red
Cassis, ripe black cherry and raspberry open with tobacco, liquorice, black pepper and a quiet balsamic note. The palate is concentrated and vigorous, combining dark fruit with close-grained tannins, savoury olive and measured toast. Fresh acidity and a saline edge keep the richness in balance, carrying the wine into a long, firm finish. Decant carefully and serve with braised beef, roast lamb or porcini dishes.
Double Diamond by Schrader 2021 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
American Red
Steeped plum, boysenberry and mulberry lead a generous nose, with cassis, savoury bay leaf and a measured touch of roasted oak. The palate is broad and dense but polished, carrying dark fruit through bittersweet cocoa, fine tannins and a fresh line of acidity. Menthol and loamy earth add lift and depth before a long, composed finish. Decant before serving with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs or roasted portobello mushrooms.
Laurent Ponsot Bourgogne Blanc Cuvée du Perce-Neige Magnum
French White
Hawthorn blossom, lemon and fresh pear lead into warmer notes of honeysuckle, brioche and toasted almond. The palate is fleshy yet lifted, with ripe orchard fruit balanced by a saline, finely drawn finish. Hints of marzipan and pineapple add breadth without making it heavy, while lively freshness keeps the texture poised. Serve slightly cool with roast fish, gougères, mushroom ravioli or vegetables baked with feta.
Laurent Ponsot 2017 Bourgogne Rouge Cuvée des Peupliers Magnum
French Red
Cherry, blackcurrant and blackberry open with pomegranate, peony and a gentle earthy edge. The palate is supple and finely textured, carrying pulpy red fruit through delicate tannins and bright freshness. A light savoury note appears with air, while the finish remains graceful, clean and quietly persistent. The larger format should benefit from time in a decanter; serve with roast chicken, duck, charcuterie or mushroom dishes.
Donnafugata 2016 Fragore Contrada Montelaguardia Etna Rosso DOC
Italian Red
Marasca cherry, raspberry and black-skinned berries lead a layered nose, joined by Mediterranean herbs, liquorice, tobacco and exotic spice. The palate is elegant and firmly structured, with fine-grained tannins and bright acidity carrying the fruit through espresso, flint and a light forest-floor note. The finish is long, savoury and distinctly mineral. Decant before serving with duck, grilled ribs, mushroom dishes or a rich lentil stew.
Laurent Ponsot 2022 Meursault Cuvée du Pandoréa
French White
Lemon zest and white blossom open with toasted almond, hazelnut and a measured buttery richness. The palate is full and silky, balancing ripe citrus and gentle honeyed notes with a clear line of freshness. Flint and light toast add definition through the middle, while a savoury mineral edge keeps the finish long and composed. Serve slightly cool in a generous glass with lobster, roast chicken, turbot or creamy mushroom dishes.
Laurent Ponsot 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Cuvée de l’Aulne
French Red
Strawberry and raspberry lead a lightly floral nose, with darker currant, soft earth, cedar and a whisper of wild herbs underneath. The palate is sleek and medium-bodied, combining fresh red fruit with savoury spice and a clear mineral line. Fine volume builds through the middle before a firmer, gently rustic finish brings shape and length. Give it time in a decanter and serve with duck, roast chicken or mushroom dishes.