France
Château La Tour Carnet 2010 Haut-Médoc
Blackcurrant and blueberry lead with licorice, camphor and toast, followed by blackberry, raspberry coulis and ripe fig. The palate is medium to full-bodied, its generous fruit shaped by polished tannins, fresh acidity and clear definition. Graphite and dark berry detail carry the focused, impressively long finish.
Chateau Latour-Martillac 2015 Pessac-Leognan
Deep ruby with an expressive mix of raspberry, red cherry, blackcurrant and blackberry, shaped by a restrained note of cedar and toast. The palate is generous yet cleanly structured, balancing ripe fruit with fresh acidity and polished tannins. Savoury oak and dark berries linger on the composed finish. Decant briefly and pair with roast duck or grilled beef.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1996 Pauillac 3 L
Complex and still poised, with blackberry, cassis and red berry layered with anise, cedar, cigar box, coffee, dark chocolate, leather and subtle exotic spice. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate balances fresh acidity with ripe silky tannins, impressive concentration and a long, structured finish. Decant for about two hours and serve with roast beef or lamb.
Mouton Rothschild 1998 Pauillac
Powerful and still youthful, with crème de cassis and dark fruit layered with pencil lead, roasted espresso, tobacco, smoke, saddle leather and Indian spice. Full-bodied and concentrated, the palate combines depth with fresh structure, fine tannins and a long savoury drive. Decant for about ninety minutes and serve with roast beef, lamb or venison.
Château Lafite Rothschild 1982 Pauillac
Deeply aromatic and still beautifully composed, with red currant, cherry and cassis framed by cedar, tobacco, cigar wrapper and warm spice. The palate is silky and precise rather than weighty, carrying mature earth and leafy complexity through a fresh, persistent finish. Stand upright and decant gently for about an hour, watching for bottle variation, then serve with lamb, veal or mushrooms.
Château Le Pin 1998 Pomerol
Macerated black cherry and cassis lead into dark chocolate, truffle and warm spice. The palate is rich and full, but an ethereal, silky texture keeps the concentrated fruit from feeling heavy. Graphite and fine mineral detail bring definition, carrying plum, liquorice and earthy complexity through the exceptionally persistent finish.
Château Le Puy 2020 Émilien
Dark cherry, blackcurrant and plum meet cedar, earth and a quiet trace of mushroom. The palate is savoury and finely structured, with silky tannins framing bright red fruit, roasted almond and subtle spice. Freshness and mineral detail hold the supple texture in balance through a long, understated and complex finish.
Château La Gaffelière 2010 Saint-Émilion
Baked raspberry, kirsch and dried mulberry unfold with plum pudding, pencil shavings and forest floor. The palate is medium to full-bodied, layering ripe red, blue and black fruit over savoury earth and crushed-rock detail. Chewy tannins and well-knit freshness give the rich core precision, with an herbal lift on the finish.
Château Le Gay 2010 Pomerol
Dried mulberry, plum and fig open with cedar, violet and a touch of dark chocolate. The palate is full and concentrated, yet its power is shaped by supple tannins, fresh acidity and clear mineral focus. Black fruit, spice and liquorice carry through a long, polished and impressively balanced finish.
Féret-Lambert 2018 Bordeaux Supérieur Magnum
A fresh and expressive Bordeaux with lifted aromas of red cherry, raspberry and blackberry layered with subtle florals, spice and a hint of graphite. The palate is medium-bodied and supple, showing juicy red and dark fruit framed by bright acidity and fine, lightly grippy tannins that add structure without heaviness. Clean and approachable yet nicely focused, finishing with a savoury, mineral edge and an easy, food-friendly charm.
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.
Maison Sichel 2022 Margaux
Blackcurrant, plum and dark cherry open with violet, cedar and discreet vanilla spice. Concentrated yet elegant, the palate carries generous dark fruit through polished, silky tannins, while fresh acidity preserves lift and definition. Subtle toast and a savoury mineral note add complexity, leading to a persistent, refined finish with measured richness and composure.
Château Rauzan-Gassies 2016 L’Orme de Rauzan-Gassies Haut-Médoc
Blackcurrant, ripe plum and cherry compote lead into cedar, graphite and dried violet. Silky and medium-bodied, the palate layers blackberry, dark chocolate and tobacco leaf over fine-grained tannins and vivid acidity. Spice, mineral detail and subtle oak carry the smooth, refined finish, balancing generous fruit with measured structure.
Château Lassègue 2018 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Ripe black plum, boysenberry and black cherry lead, joined by violet, cocoa and a savoury trace of earth. The palate is dense yet polished, with generous dark fruit carried by supple, rounded tannins. Freshness keeps the richness composed, while spice, tobacco and mineral detail gather through the long, velvety finish.
Château Latour 1974 Pauillac
A fully mature, restrained claret with smoke and spice over gently evolved fruit. The palate is round and silky at first, then turns leaner as marked acidity and a lightly astringent finish come forward. Provenance matters at this age; stand upright, decant carefully for no more than thirty minutes and serve with simply roasted beef.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1952 Pauillac
Fully mature and richly textured, with blackberry, liquorice and leather carried by a broad, refined and complex bouquet. The palate is round and warming, balancing sweet fruit with drying tannins and a substantial, gently rounded finish. Bottle condition is essential at this age; stand upright, decant carefully for about ninety minutes and serve with lamb or slow-cooked beef.
Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve Champagne
Fresh brioche and roasted nuts open with mango, apricot and mirabelle plum. The palate is generous but lively, bringing creamy nougat, cherry and plum into balance with bright citrus and fine bubbles. A high proportion of reserve wine adds depth without weighing down the texture. The finish is long and mouthwatering, leaving toast, almond, dried fruit and a gentle note of ginger.
Billecart-Salmon NV Brut Réserve Champagne Magnum
Luminous pale gold, with steady effervescence and a generous, persistent mousse. Clean aromas of orchard fruit and white blossom open first, followed by ripe pear, lemon and subtle biscuit. The palate brings concentrated flavour with poised vinosity, gentle toast and a polished texture. Freshness and minerality carry the long, composed finish. Serve with crab, oysters or delicate white fish.
Nicolas Maillart 2012 Premier Cru Brut Millésimé Champagne
Dom Pérignon 1996 Plénitude 2 Rosé Champagne
Malt, nectarine and wild strawberry open into smoky, peaty depth, with dried rose, citron, saffron and a touch of vanilla spice. The palate is radiant and energetic, balancing ripe red fruit with fine bubbles and firm mineral tension. Toasted nuttiness and savoury complexity carry a long, precise, gently spicy finish.