France
Clos de la Roilette 2023 Fleurie Cuvée Tardive
Dark cherry and black berry fruit are joined by fresh thyme, woodsmoke, dark earth and a floral note. The palate is full-bodied and focused, with concentrated fruit held by ripe tannins and a clear savoury line. Long and composed through the finish, it has the depth for roast duck, pork or mushroom dishes while retaining the freshness to drink on its own.
Grosbois Gabare 2020 Chinon
A generous Chinon with ripe strawberry and raspberry fruit, a dusting of cocoa and a subtle leafy note. The palate is soft and succulent, with fine tannins and fresh acidity giving the wine an easy, harmonious shape. Serve it lightly cool with pâté, charcuterie, grilled pork or lentil dishes, where its bright fruit and savoury edge can work together.
Domaine des Escaravailles 2019 Scarabée Libéré Cairanne
Crushed raspberry, ripe cherry and peppermint give the nose an immediate lift. The palate is smooth, juicy and fresh, with generous red fruit meeting darker spice and gentle structure. Fine tannins, bright acidity and a savoury herbal note keep the fruit precise, finishing clean and energetic rather than heavy.
Jean Foillard 2023 Morgon
Domaines Bunan 2018 Mas De La Rouviere Bandol
A deep, structured Bandol with blackberry, plum and hedgerow fruit layered over garrigue, pepper and a faint gamey note. Mourvèdre brings firm tannins and savoury depth, while the supporting varieties round the palate and keep the fruit generous. Give it some air, then serve with roast lamb, grilled meat or earthy dishes that match its Mediterranean character.
Fleury Blanc de Noirs Brut NV Champagne 375 mL
Black cherry, green apple and peach sit over chalk and a subtle lift of mint. Smooth and delicate on the palate, it balances rich fruit with a brisk, mouthwateringly dry line and a creamy bead. The finish is clean and savoury. The smaller format is ideal for two glasses before dinner, or alongside tempura and simple seafood dishes.
Château de Fonbel 2015 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Dark berries and sour cherry lead the aroma, joined by herbal spice, tobacco and a floral note. Red currant follows across the palate, while chocolate adds a darker register and mineral detail runs alongside the fruit. Berries, herbs, tobacco and cocoa continue through the middle. The persistent finish brings red currant and mineral character back into clear focus.
L’Exquis Bonbon Sauvage Vermouth Ambré
Sage, wormwood and verbena open the aroma, followed by citrus, grape and ripe apricot. The palate is rounded and caressing, with generous fruit moving into dried-fruit richness and warm, measured spice. Fresh acidity keeps the texture lively, while a fine herbal bitterness adds definition without becoming austere. The finish is refreshing, gently bitter and persistent. Serve lightly chilled over ice with an orange twist, alongside almonds, olives, aged sheep’s cheese or savoury pastries.
L’Exquis Bonbon Sauvage Vermouth Blanc Dry
Lemon peel, chamomile and fresh herbs give the aroma a bright, sunlit character, with white flowers and gentle spice adding lift. The palate is dry and finely textured, balancing citrus freshness with a measured pithy bitterness. Subtle orchard fruit softens the herbal core without obscuring its precision. The finish is clean, brisk and quietly spicy. Serve lightly chilled, over ice or topped with soda and a citrus twist alongside olives or fresh cheese.
Maison Dampt 2015 Chablis Premier Cru Les Vaillons 750 mL
Citrus peel and orchard fruit sit against a firm line of stone minerality, with almond and a gently pithy edge showing the wine's maturity. The palate remains composed and balanced, carrying fresh acidity through a savoury, mineral middle. A restrained nutty note returns on the finish without obscuring the fruit. Serve lightly chilled with roast fish, scallops, poultry or a mushroom dish in a light cream sauce.
Château La Nerthe 2022 Les Cassagnes Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Rouge 750 mL
Burlat cherry, red berries, blackcurrant and licorice define the documented fruit profile. Thyme, olive, laurel and other garrigue notes add a savoury register. The palate balances liveliness with roundness, supported by delicate tannins and a minty finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the recorded blend, giving the wine its combination of bright fruit, herbs and restrained structure.
Gérard Bertrand 2000 Banyuls Grand Cru Vin Doux Naturel 750 mL
Lush and broad, with clear structure and a generous flavour profile. Grenache Gris provides the varietal basis, while Banyuls Grand Cru and Vin Doux Naturel place it among Roussillon's fortified dessert wines. The style is deep and elegant, with breadth, richness and structure as its principal characteristics. A generous dessert wine defined by scale, structure and a broad profile.
Château Côte Montpezat 2009 Cuvée Compostelle
Veuve Clicquot NV Yellow Label Brut Champagne 375 mL
Pear, apple and peach lead the aromatic profile, followed by lemon zest, buttered toast and brioche. The palate is structured and generous, with fine bubbles, bright acidity and a firm Pinot Noir backbone balanced by fresh citrus and orchard fruit. Clean and persistent through the finish, this polished half-bottle is ideal for an aperitif, shellfish, smoked salmon or gougères.
Moreau-Naudet 2018 Chablis 750 mL
Well-defined citrus opens over a taut, fresh palate, with fine acidity keeping the fruit precise. A mineral note adds cool definition, while apple peel brings a gently textured, savoury edge. The structure is focused rather than austere, allowing the citrus and orchard-fruit elements to remain clear. The finish is clean and persistent, leaving apple peel, citrus and a measured mineral impression.