France
Margaux 1998 Margaux
Mature garnet with a fine amber rim, offering blackcurrant, dried plum and fig alongside mint, cedar and an earthy gunflint note. The palate is elegant and layered, combining graceful bottle-aged complexity with polished tannins, fresh acidity and a restrained core of dark fruit. Long and composed on the finish, it opens beautifully with a thoughtful decant.
Angelus 1997
Sweet blackberry, black-cherry liqueur and prune open into truffle, Provençal olive and gently smoky oak. The palate is rich and broad, yet soft and supple, with moderate tannins supporting the dark fruit. Savoury depth carries through a warm, composed finish. Decant carefully and serve with roast lamb, beef or mushrooms.
Château La Mission Haut-Brion 1997 Pessac-Léognan
A mature, leafy bouquet brings hickory, clove and freshly picked mint over red berry fruit. The medium-bodied palate is piquant and fully evolved, adding tobacco, peppercorn and cracked black pepper to its savoury core. Fine structure and lingering spice keep the engaging finish poised, with depth but no excess weight.
Château Latour 1995 Pauillac
Black currant, blackberry and black olive lead a mature, generous bouquet, with liquorice, pepper, smoke and cigar box adding depth. Full-bodied yet refined, the palate is concentrated and savoury, balancing fresh acidity with supple tannins and a long mineral finish. A three-hour decant suits its sturdy structure. Serve with saddle of lamb, roast beef or braised short ribs.
Château Haut-Brion 1994 Pessac-Leognan
Deep plum-ruby in colour, with black cherry and currant layered over truffle, earth, dried herbs, licorice and a smoky spice-box note. Medium-bodied, the palate is supple and harmonious, combining a plump, gently chewy texture with fresh lift and fine, still-present tannins. Savoury complexity carries through the long finish; decant before serving with beef or lamb.
Château Margaux 1983 Margaux
Dried and fresh flowers rise from a complex bouquet of cassis, blueberry, fig, plum and cherry, with cedar, leather, tobacco and earthy mineral notes underneath. Medium-bodied, silky and sensuous, the palate combines mature richness with fresh acidity and firm, polished structure. Pour carefully from a settled bottle; an hour of air is ample. Excellent with flank steak or roast duck.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1982 Pauillac
Flamboyant and richly aromatic, with black currant, blackberry and cherry liqueur layered with cigar box, tobacco, mint, flowers, smoked meat and spice. The palate is full and concentrated, yet finely balanced, combining fresh acidity with silky tannins and an exceptionally long, harmonious finish. Decant for two to three hours and serve with roast turkey, beef or mushroom dishes.
Mouton Rothschild 2001 Pauillac
Deeply coloured and composed, with bilberry and blackcurrant layered over cigar box, smoke, autumn leaves and supple leather. The palate is concentrated and richly textured, yet held in balance by fresh acidity and finely structured tannins. Graphite and smoked tobacco carry through the long, savoury finish. Decant gently and serve with roast beef or lamb.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1999 Pauillac
An elegant, increasingly mature expression with black currant and blackberry layered with smoke, truffle, cocoa, mocha, coffee and warm spice. The medium-bodied palate is smooth and velvety, balancing firm ripe fruit with silky tannins and a long, structured finish touched by a slight dryness. Decant for about three hours and serve with lamb stew, duck or mushrooms.
Château La Fleur-Pétrus 1997 Pomerol
Ripe dark fruit opens with rose, violet and sweet spice, followed by a measured note of oak. The palate is supple and composed, with mature fruit, savoury earth and tertiary complexity held in careful balance. Silky texture brings depth without heaviness, while retained vitality carries the floral, gently spiced finish.
Château Latour 2000 Pauillac
Blackberry, currant and raspberry drive an intense bouquet, with cedar, cigar box, mint, vanilla, smoke and spice unfolding behind. The palate is full-bodied, dense and deeply concentrated, yet balanced by freshness and fine, abundant tannins. The finish is exceptionally long and layered. Allow three to four hours in a decanter and serve with truffled dishes, roast beef or game.
Château Lafite Rothschild 2000 Pauillac
Smoke, cigar wrapper, ripe plum and currant open into cedar, wet earth and warm spice. The palate is rich and full, combining deep concentration with bright red fruit, silky tannins and a measured dusty edge on the long, classic finish. Still poised for further development, it benefits from two to three hours in a decanter before serving with lamb or beef.
Mouton Rothschild 2003 Pauillac
Rich and opulent, opening with intense blackcurrant, ripe dark plum and cassis before cedar, tobacco leaf, vanilla and warm spice emerge. Full-bodied and concentrated, the palate carries generous fruit on polished tannins with enough freshness to keep the texture poised. A subtle floral lift brightens the long, savoury finish. Decant and serve with roast lamb or beef.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1995 Pauillac
Deep and brooding, with cassis, blackberry and black cherry joined by violet, cedar, coffee, dark chocolate, black pepper and incense. The palate is rich and layered, balancing a vibrant core of ripe fruit with velvety tannins and polished oak. Full-bodied yet composed, it builds through a persistent, savoury finish; allow generous air and serve with roast beef or lamb.
Château Mouton Rothschild 2000 Pauillac
Crème de cassis, blackberry and raspberry lead a layered bouquet, with cedar, tobacco, truffle, coffee, vanilla, earth and exotic spice adding complexity. Concentrated and full-bodied, the palate is fresh and focused, with polished tannins, excellent balance and a long, lingering finish. Allow three to four hours in a decanter and serve with beef Wellington, roast lamb or game.
Château Côte Montpezat 2009 Cuvée Compostelle
Château Lafite Rothschild 1999 Pauillac
Elegant and medium-bodied, with bright red currant, cassis and cherry set against cedar, tobacco, forest leaf and gentle spice. The palate is fresh and softly textured, carrying red fruit, herbs and a measured savoury complexity through a poised finish. Stand the bottle upright, decant only as needed for sediment, and serve slightly cool with lamb, duck or mushroom dishes.
Château Lafite Rothschild 1990 Pauillac
Dried flowers, cedar and tobacco lead a classic, increasingly expressive bouquet, with red currant, cassis and cigar-box spice underneath. The palate is supple and vibrant, showing refined red fruit, creamy tannins and a savoury thread of herbs and forest leaf. The finish is long and composed. Decant carefully for sediment and serve with roast beef, duck or aged hard cheese.
Château Lafite Rothschild 2004 Pauillac
Mint, cedar, tobacco and herbs lead a bright, savoury profile, with red berry, cassis and black fruit underneath. Medium-bodied and refined, the palate shows silky polish, lead-pencil detail and a salty mineral edge, finishing firm and slightly dry in a traditional style. Decant for one to two hours and serve slightly cool with roast chicken, lamb or lentils.
Lafite Rothschild 1998 Pauillac
Deep garnet with a faint brick edge, showing cassis and dark berry layered with sandalwood, cedar, tobacco and subtle mineral spice. The palate is concentrated yet remarkably poised, with polished fruit, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity carried through a long, savoury finish. Give it generous air before serving with roast lamb, beef or earthy mushroom dishes.