France
Remoissenet 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 3L
Earth and dark berries lead the nose, with oak adding a restrained savoury frame. Firmly structured on the palate, the fruit has enough depth to balance the wine's steady grip and grounded character. The finish is composed, persistent and gently wooded. Give it air before serving with roast lamb, braised beef or wild mushrooms.
Domaine Bunan 2023 Moulin des Costes Bandol Blanc
White flowers, citrus peel and fennel lead, followed by pear, lemon and a subtle saline note. The palate is fresh and textural, with enough breadth to carry the fruit while a crisp mineral line keeps the finish precise. Elegant and food-friendly, it suits shellfish, grilled fish or fresh goat cheese.
Bunan 2023 Moulin Des Costes Rose
A pale Provence rosé with wild strawberry, peach and fragrant Mediterranean herbs. The palate is dry and mineral-driven, with bright acidity and subtle salinity bringing focus to the soft fruit and carrying the wine into a clean, savoury finish. Elegant and refreshing, it pairs naturally with shellfish, grilled fish, salads or vegetable dishes dressed with olive oil and herbs.
Ducru-Beaucaillou 1990 Saint-Julien
Preserved plum and kirsch sit at the centre of a mature, savoury bouquet, layered with incense, cigar box, leather, tobacco and tilled earth. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate is graceful and satiny, carrying dried red berry and exotic spice over a gently chewy structure. The finish is long, fragrant and tea-toned. Decant carefully and serve with roast lamb or aged cheese.
M. Chapoutier 2005 Banyuls Vin Doux Naturel
Dried fig, raisin and blackberry lead a generous fortified profile, joined by raspberry, cherry, mint, black pepper and a light truffle note. Sweetness is balanced by fresh acidity and soft tannins, keeping the palate lively rather than heavy. Silky and refined through the finish, it suits fruit desserts or firm cheese, while a slight chill brings extra definition.
Domaine Philippe Delesvaux 2004 Clos du Pavillon Coteaux du Layon Saint-Aubin
Fresh white pear leads into apricot, persimmon, fig and dried tangerine, with honey, candied apple and a light butterscotch note adding depth. The palate is fully sweet and generously textured, yet lacy acidity and a fine mineral spine keep it precise. Almond and honeysuckle emerge across the long, composed finish.
Château Gloria 2008 Saint-Julien
Intense dark red in colour, with generous currant, plum and bright red cherry framed by tobacco, earth and gentle spice. The palate is medium-bodied, supple and immediately inviting, bringing pure fruit together with fresh acidity and soft, settled tannins. Elegant and savoury through the finish, it is ready with a short decant and suits roast beef, duck or lamb.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1988 Pauillac
Classic and mature, with cassis, plum and red berry framed by cedar, walnut, pencil shavings, tobacco and earthy mineral notes. The palate is round and balanced, showing fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla and a gently drying woody edge on the long finish. Bottle condition matters; stand upright, decant carefully for about two hours and serve with veal or roast lamb.
Trimbach 2001 Riesling Clos Sainte Hune
Dry and concentrated, with ripe citrus, yellow orchard fruit and white flowers held by a clear mineral line. The palate is taut yet generous, carrying finely layered fruit through bright, measured acidity. Subtle honeyed and stony notes develop with air, while the finish remains exceptionally long, precise and composed, showing the depth of a mature Riesling without losing freshness.
Château Lafite Rothschild 1966 Pauillac
At full maturity, this is a restrained, old-school claret with dried rose, cedar, tobacco and cigar-box aromas over cassis and red cherry. The palate is medium-bodied and refined, with gentle earth, forest floor, leather and spice emerging as it opens. Stand the bottle upright, decant briefly for sediment and enjoy promptly with roast lamb or mushrooms.
Chateau La Fleur-Petrus 1995 Pomerol
Deep and concentrated, with sweet kirsch and black raspberry rising over smoke and a stony mineral note. The palate is full-bodied and layered, combining ripe plum with firm tannins and a supple, polished texture. Leather and dark earth add savoury depth as the fruit opens. The finish is persistent and structured, returning to black raspberry, mineral and smoke with measured power.
Chateau Trotanoy 1995 Pomerol
Deeply coloured and still powerful, with raspberry and black cherry layered over earth and a clear licorice note. The palate is medium to full in body, combining dense dark fruit with firm, persistent tannins and a savoury mineral undertone. Its structure remains prominent, but the fruit carries enough concentration to keep the profile balanced. The finish is long, dry and authoritative, returning to cherry, earth and spice.
Chateau La Fleur-Petrus 2008 Pomerol
Dark cherry and plum lead a generous but controlled profile, joined by black tea, earth, cedar and a discreet note of truffle. The palate is medium to full in body, with silky tannins and fresh acidity carrying the fruit without heaviness. Graphite and dark chocolate deepen the middle. The finish is long and harmonious, returning to plum, savoury earth and polished cedar.
Domaine Armand Rousseau 1994 Chambertin Grand Cru
Mature and remarkably balanced, with red fruit retaining freshness despite the vintage's leaner reputation. The palate avoids undue heaviness or tired fruit, showing a composed structure and firm, lightly green-edged tannins on the finish. It is drinking well now and may continue to hold. Stand upright, open carefully and serve with roast game or earthy mushroom dishes.
Domaines Bunan Le Vin De B 2023 Rouge
A smoky southern French red with dark cherry and a lightly wild, savoury edge. The palate opens gradually, moving from smoke into ripe fruit with a rounded, easygoing texture. Serve it with barbecue, smoked cheese, hearty soups or grilled sausages; a brief chill and a little air help its dark-fruited character show clearly.
Domaines Bunan 2024 Le B Blanc
Chateau Senejac 2019 Haut-Medoc
Smoky blackberry and cassis lead, with pencil shavings, loamy earth and a light coffee note adding savoury detail. The palate is lively and medium to full-bodied, balancing juicy dark fruit with fine, steadily building tannins. Bright and charming rather than heavy, it closes on a saline, mouthwatering finish.
Chateau Fonreaud 2019 Listrac-Medoc
Château de la Chapelle 2019 Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
Rated 95 points by Decanter, this focused Bordeaux red opens with blackcurrant and cassis, followed by subtle meat, pepper and savoury spice. The palate is rich and mouth-filling, but well-managed tannins keep its generous fruit composed and clearly defined. A firm, polished finish gives it useful length. Serve with roast beef, lamb or mushroom dishes.
Feret Lambert 2018 Bordeaux Superieur 3L
Blackcurrant, black cherry and plum open with measured notes of cedar, graphite and dried herbs. The palate is medium to full in weight, with ripe fruit held by fine tannins and a fresh, savoury line. Balanced rather than heavy, it finishes with dark fruit and gentle spice. Give it air before serving with roast beef or lamb.