France
Chapoutier 2019 Banyuls
Deep garnet colour leads into a generous fortified red with black cherry, raspberry and plum at the centre. Cocoa, dried herbs and a gentle savoury note add dimension, while bright acidity keeps the sweetness composed. The finish is smooth, persistent and lightly spiced. Serve cool with dark chocolate, blue cheese or a fruit tart.
Arnoux & Fils 2012 Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
Orange blossom, peach, ripe apple and pear rise from an intensely aromatic profile, with a clean mineral note adding definition. Sweet and full-flavoured, the palate layers stone fruit and floral detail over a smooth, rounded texture. A faint bitter edge refreshes the finish, keeping the lingering fruit poised enough for fruit desserts, blue cheese or solo sipping.
Château d’Aydie 2012 Maydie Vintage Tannat
Sweet plum and ripe dark fruit wrap around firm Tannat structure, while contrasting acidity keeps this fortified red lively and clear. Generous and fruity rather than heavy, the palate carries supple sweetness, fresh lift and a gentle savoury grip into a balanced finish. A natural partner for dark chocolate, blue cheese or slow after-dinner sipping.
Moncontour 2005 Nectar de Moncontour Vouvray
Layered tropical fruit moves through yellow plum, peach and apricot, with dried fig, quince and honey adding deeper concentration. The palate is soft and round yet held by fine tension, bringing candied fruit, fresh almond and gentle spice into focus. A long, waxy finish carries sweetness with clarity. Serve with blue cheese, fruit tart or almond cake.
Champalou 2003 Vouvray Trie de Vendange
Honey, brown sugar and baked pear form a concentrated, deeply inviting profile. Luscious sweetness gives the palate breadth, while fresh acidity keeps the texture balanced and remarkably clear. Generous and mature without feeling tired, it carries orchard fruit and caramelized depth through a long finish that pairs beautifully with blue cheese or fruit-based cakes.
Domaine de la Bongran 2000 Mâcon-Villages Cuvée Botrytis
Honeyed peach skin, apricot and tropical fruit unfold around a savoury thread of saffron-like spice. The palate is lush and silky, with notable sweetness and concentration, yet lively acidity keeps the generous texture balanced. A mineral undertone adds precision to the long, gently warming finish. Serve in a small pour with blue cheese, fruit tart or almond cake.
Clos Lapeyre 2017 Jurançon La Magendia
Ripe apricot, pineapple and passion fruit lead a generous, late-harvest profile, joined by honey, vanilla and a fine thread of spice. The palate is rich and silky yet remains lively, with lemony acidity cutting cleanly through the sweetness. Candied citrus and tropical fruit linger through a poised finish, making this a natural match for blue cheese or fruit desserts.
Les Clos de Paulilles Banyuls Cap Béar
Rich cherry and blackberry jam lead a full, sweet profile, with currant and dried-fruit tones adding mature depth. The palate is broad and warming, shaped by ripe Grenache fruit and a gently savoury, tawny edge. Long and composed, it finishes with lingering raisin and dark-fruit notes. A classic partner for dark chocolate, toasted nuts or blue cheese.
Château de Jau 2009 Chez Jau Rivesaltes Ambré
Golden amber in colour, opening on bright honey, orange zest and ginger loaf. The palate is smooth and velvety, layering toasted almond, gingerbread and dried fruit over a sweet, caramelized core. Lively acidity keeps the oxidative richness in balance, carrying spice and nuts through a long finish suited to dark chocolate or sticky toffee pudding.
Christophe Mignon Ratafia Champenois Meunier
Honeyed and softly rounded, with apricot and ripe melon set against a subtle stony, earthy note. The palate is generous without becoming heavy, carrying natural fruit sweetness through a smooth, warming texture. A savoury edge brings balance to the finish. Serve lightly chilled in a small pour with pâté, blue cheese or fruit tart.
Château Las Collas 1961 Rivesaltes
Dark amber and deeply mature, with hazelnut, almond and candied citrus rising over warm roasted notes. The palate is rich and warming, carrying Grenache sweetness with savoury nut-skin complexity and a gently oxidative tone. Long, composed and distinctive, it is best served in a small pour alongside blue cheese, toasted nuts or dark chocolate.
Champalou 2015 Vouvray La Moelleuse
Gently sweet and supple, this late-harvest Chenin carries generous orchard fruit through a rounded, silky palate. Mouthwatering acidity cuts cleanly through the richness, bringing freshness and balance to the lingering finish. Expressive without becoming heavy, it is well suited to fruit desserts, blue cheese, foie gras or a quiet glass after dinner.
Epoque 2015 Monbazillac
Golden and softly honeyed, with apricot, peach and candied citrus forming a generous aromatic core. The palate is rich and smooth, balancing ripe fruit and gentle sweetness with enough freshness to stay composed. A measured floral note carries into the finish, making this an easy partner for fruit tarts, blue cheese or pâté.
Arnaud de Villeneuve 1976 Rivesaltes Ambré
Chocolate, prune compote and Bourbon vanilla rise from a warm, expressive nose, with polished wood adding depth. Rich and enveloping on the palate, it brings mature rancio character into a cocoa-toned finish that remains balanced rather than heavy. Serve lightly chilled with dark chocolate, walnut tart, blue cheese or simply as a contemplative after-dinner glass.
Arnaud de Villeneuve 1970 Rivesaltes Ambré
Deep amber with orange reflections, this mature fortified wine layers dried fruit, walnut and dried apricot over complex notes of rancio, turmeric, roasted coffee and seasoned oak. The palate is broad, harmonious and richly textured, yet a fine thread of freshness keeps it poised. Exceptionally long, it finishes with old-cognac warmth and savoury nutty depth.
Arnaud de Villeneuve 1980 Rivesaltes Ambré
Walnut, caramel and dried fruit meet vanilla, coffee and a trace of blond tobacco. Full and smooth on the palate, it balances oxidative richness with a surprising line of freshness, layering mild spice, candied fruit and noble rancio through a long finish. Pair with walnut cake, chocolate dessert, aged hard cheese or toasted almonds.
Arnaud de Villeneuve 1999 Rivesaltes Ambré
Fresh fig, vanilla and gently toasted dried fruit lead a mature, deeply aromatic profile. The palate is rich yet composed, bringing oxidative warmth and savoury depth into balance with lingering fruit and a measured finish. Serve lightly chilled alongside almond tart, dried-fruit cake, blue cheese or dark chocolate with roasted nuts.
Arnaud de Villeneuve 1988 Rivesaltes Ambré
Gingerbread and complex rancio aromas open into fresh hazelnut and bitter-orange marmalade. Broad and ample on the palate, the sweetness is shaped by savoury oxidative depth and a lively citrus edge, giving the mature profile clarity and length. Serve lightly chilled with nut pastries, orange cake, blue cheese or a square of dark chocolate.
Arnaud de Villeneuve Rivesaltes Ambré 5 Years
Burnished copper in colour, this naturally sweet fortified wine offers dried orange, apricot and raisin with toasted nuts and warm spice. Five years of maturation bring supple depth and a gentle oxidative character, while balanced freshness keeps the richness precise. Smooth and persistent, it is equally compelling with nut tarts, mature cheese or after dinner.