France
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 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.
Champagne Guillaume Sergent 2017 Le Chemin des Chappes Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs 1er Cru
Vaudon Fine Rare Fins Bois Cognac
Jasmine and banana open with a gentle floral lift and fresh pear. The palate is soft and silky, carrying delicate fruit through a clean, pure texture. Ginger and anise add a cool spicy edge without disturbing the balance. The finish is long and graceful, leaving pear, flowers and a lightly refreshing note of spice and poise.
Domaine de Marcoux 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Dark cherry, cassis and wild berries open with dried thyme, black pepper and violet. Full-bodied yet never heavy, the palate layers ripe fruit over fine, firm tannins and a fleshy mid-palate. Garrigue, tapenade and graphite bring savoury complexity, extending through a long, polished and warmly spiced finish.
Nicolas Maillart 2012 Premier Cru Brut Millésimé Champagne
Champagne Lilbert-Fils NV Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut
M. Chapoutier Fine Eau-de-Vie des Côtes du Rhône
Clean and intensely aromatic, with white fruit, dried flowers and a clear mineral lift. The palate is powerful yet precise, carrying concentrated fruit through warming alcohol and a firm, dry texture. A single-pass distillation preserves the character of its Rhône material rather than polishing it away. The finish is long and contemplative, leaving florals, stone, fruit and persistent heat.
Billecart-Salmon NV Brut Réserve Champagne
Straw yellow, with slowly rising bubbles and a persistent, finely textured mousse. Apple, crisp pear and citrus lead, followed by white stone fruit, floral lift and a quiet biscuit note. The palate is harmonious and precise, with gentle roasted depth beneath the fruit. A long, fresh mineral finish makes this an excellent aperitif or partner for shellfish.
Gosset NV Grand Rosé Brut Champagne
Fresh strawberry and red berry aromas lead, joined by citrus, white flowers and a light touch of biscuit. The palate is rounded but precise, with fine bubbles, bright acidity and a smooth, supple texture. Red fruit and gentle toast carry through an enveloping finish that stays lively, balanced and clean.
Champagne Henriot NV Blanc de Blancs Brut
Lemon zest, green apple and white flowers lead into brioche, pastry and a touch of wet chalk. The palate is elegant and focused, with a fine, lacy mousse carrying apricot, lime peel and quince. Chiselled acidity keeps the creamy texture bright, while biscuit and mineral notes linger on the harmonious finish.
Chateau La Lagune 2019 Haut-Medoc
Dense and deeply aromatic, opening with fragrant blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry alongside plum, rose petal and sweet pipe tobacco. The palate is polished and supple, with ripe fruit, cedar and dark chocolate framed by freshness and fine tannins. A balanced, lifted finish keeps the wine poised rather than heavy.
Serge Mathieu 2009 Brut Millesime
A Pinot Noir-led Champagne with yellow apple, Williams pear and citrus over fine stony notes. The palate has real breadth and structure, but freshness and a precise mineral line keep it elegant. Dry, persistent and lightly grippy on the finish, it is a serious table Champagne for roast poultry, richer seafood or firm, nutty cheese.
Ferraton Père & Fils 2016 Lieu-Dit Montmain Côte-Rôtie
Domaine de Joy XO 10 Year Old Bas-Armagnac
Vanilla and white flowers rise first, followed by caramel and polished oak. The palate is soft and balanced, with rounded sweetness framed by gentle wood spice and a supple texture. New Gascon and Limousin oak bring both character and elegance. The finish is long and composed, leaving vanilla, caramel, flowers and a clean echo of oak.
Pascal Doquet Champs Libres Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne 750 mL
Crunchy green apple and lemon pith open with a clear oyster-shell minerality. The palate is slender and energetic, its fine mousse carrying bright citrus and cool saline detail. Subtle vanilla biscuit adds roundness through the middle without softening the wine's focus. The finish is dry, clean and persistent, balancing Chardonnay fruit with chalky freshness and a gently savoury edge. A precise, composed style with vivid length.
Domaine Guiberteau 2017 Saumur Rouge Les Arboises Cabernet Franc 750 mL
Straight and energetic, with a savoury core and a smoky bacon note that gives aromatic depth without weighing the wine down. The palate is taut and focused, carried by fresh acidity and a fine, silky tannin line. Its shape is elegant rather than broad, and the fruit remains restrained and precise. A clear saline note takes over on the finish, leaving a clean, persistent close.
Remoissenet 2016 Santenay Premier Cru Gravieres
A little coconut-toned oak leads into ripe, dark fruit. The palate is structured but still generous, with the fruit carrying through in a savoury, appetising line and the oak sitting as a measured accent. Give it a brief decant and serve with roast duck, pork tenderloin, mushrooms or lentils, letting the wine's darker fruit and firm shape settle together.