France
Remoissenet Pere et Fils 1969 Pommard
Dried cherry and darker fruit meet mushroom, spice, iron and a quiet mineral note on the nose. Soft and smooth on the palate, the wine carries integrated acidity, faint dusty tannins and enough remaining fruit to feel balanced rather than fragile. The finish is savoury and gently spicy. Stand the bottle upright before service and decant carefully, stopping if sediment begins to move.
Philipponnat 2015 Clos des Goisses Extra-Brut Champagne
Pear, mirabelle and ripe orchard fruit unfold with spice, honey, brioche and a delicate iodine note. Full-bodied and vinous, the palate is concentrated and layered, with racy acidity shaping remarkable depth. Liquorice, savoury sap and fine tension carry the dense, structured finish with impressive persistence.
Chateau Leoville Las Cases 1983 Saint-Julien
Firm and classically mature, opening with cedar, tobacco and cigar box over bright red berries and black cherry. Ash, damp forest floor and a cool earthy note add savoury detail. The palate is medium to full in weight, with rustic tannins giving the fruit a disciplined frame. A long, dry finish returns to cedar, leaf and red fruit with a distinctly traditional profile.
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.
Hennessy XO Cognac 1.5 L
Deep, rounded and warming, with candied fruit unfolding into pepper, dark chocolate and polished oak. The palate is full and voluptuous, balancing rich sweetness with a firm spicy edge and an increasingly intense wave of warmth. Vanilla softens the wood without muting its structure. The finish is exceptionally persistent, echoing oak, chocolate, spice and fruit in a long, composed fade.
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.
Remoissenet Père et Fils 2019 Echezeaux Grand Cru
Deeply coloured Pinot Noir with aromas of violet, fresh cherry and rose, moving toward spice and forest floor with time. The palate is broad and densely textured, bringing supple tannins, rounded fruit and a poised, lingering finish. A structured Burgundy with the depth for roast lamb, game or slow-braised beef.
Remoissenet Pere & Fils 1967 Gevrey-Chambertin
Earthy and silk-textured, with mature fruit carried by elevated acidity and a lively, sappy line. The palate is leaner than a youthful bottle but remains clear, energetic and savoury, with its fine texture giving the wine quiet elegance. Bottle variation is expected at this age; stand upright before opening and decant gently only if needed, then serve with roast poultry or mushrooms.
Remoissenet Pere et Fils 1967 Chambolle-Musigny
Delicate dried flowers and red fruit lead into a complex mature profile of cranberry, cherry, plum, thyme, mushroom and leather. The palate remains surprisingly full yet balanced, with fresh acidity and fine dusty tannins giving shape without hardness. Rose petal and savoury earth linger through a measured finish. Bottle variation is expected; stand upright before opening and decant gently only if needed.
Remoissenet Père et Fils Clos Vougeot Gc
Deeply coloured Pinot Noir with violet, rose, blackberry, raspberry and a hint of wild mint, moving toward liquorice and truffle with age. Rich, succulent and mellow, the palate balances meaty fullness with elegance, finishing long and composed. A cellar-worthy Burgundy for braised lamb, roast veal, game birds or washed-rind cheese.
Bruno Paillard 2002 Blanc de Blancs Champagne Magnum
Intense gold with green highlights and an exceptionally fine bead. The nose begins saline and iodine-edged, then opens to citrus, fresh almond and white flowers. The palate is taut yet opulent, layering candied citrus, marzipan, toast and buttery pastry over a mineral spine. The finish is very long, precise and energetic; serve at the start of a special meal.
Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2002 Pessac-Leognan
Intensely aromatic, with dark cherry at the centre and a generous frame of polished oak. Concentrated and long, the palate has substantial dark fruit, measured power and a firm, savoury structure that benefits from air. Give it about four hours in a decanter to open fully, then serve with roast beef, lamb or other simply seasoned red meat.
Château Palmer 2017 Margaux
Aromatic and finely shaped, with black cherry, blackberry and cassis joined by violet, anise, rose hip, tea and a discreet earthy note. Medium-bodied and silky, the palate combines ripe, smooth tannins with bright acidity, mineral freshness and impressive mid-palate intensity. The finish is long and elegant; decant for about three hours and serve with beef or roast lamb.
Guigal 2017 La Turque Cote Rotie
Blackberry, blueberry and raspberry meet smoked meat, graphite and dark chocolate, with violet, incense and flint lifting the bouquet. The palate is concentrated yet remarkably balanced, carrying ripe black fruit through fine, dusty tannins and a long mineral finish. Powerful but poised, it suits slow-roasted lamb, venison or beef.
Guigal 2017 La Landonne Cote Rotie
Deep red-black in colour, with powerful aromas of small black fruits, liquorice, roasted notes and fragrant spice. The palate is rich, round and velvety, bringing concentrated dark fruit, black pepper and savoury depth. Dense structure and ripe tannins build through the centre, while fresh acidity carries the remarkably long, composed finish.
Guigal 2017 La Mouline Cote Rotie
Ruby red with vermilion highlights, opening on intensely aromatic small red fruits, blackberry and violet. The palate is supple and silky, balancing generous blueberry fruit with dried spice, savoury depth and finely woven tannins. Full-bodied yet graceful, it carries lively acidity and quiet mineral tension into a long, plush finish.
Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2011 Pessac-Leognan
Dense and classically shaped, with cassis and ripe dark fruit joined by cedar, tobacco, earth, smoke, coffee and dried red fruit. The palate is rich and complex, combining bright freshness with firm ripe tannins, fine balance and a tightly wound, very long finish. Allow three to five hours in a decanter and serve with venison, beef or roast lamb.
Chateau Leoville Las Cases 1995 Saint-Julien
Mature yet still vigorous, with black cherry, cassis and dark red fruit joined by spice, cigar wrapper and a savoury mineral edge. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated, carrying ripe tannins with impressive freshness and depth. Dark fruit remains at the centre while tobacco and stone add classical Left Bank detail. The finish is dense, long and chewy, with power held in a polished frame.
Remoissenet Pere et Fils 1989 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru
Honeyed and marmalade-like at first, with apricot, stewed red fruit and herbal tea developing into dried black fruit, fallen leaves, potting soil and a faint tobacco note. The palate is medium-bodied and elegant, with softened tannins, gentle acidity and exceptional length. Give it time in the glass for initial muskiness to lift, then serve with duck or earthy mushroom dishes.