Portugal
Smith Woodhouse 1985 Vintage Port
Violet, black cherry and dark chocolate lead a rich, mature bouquet, with Christmas spice and a light leathery note adding detail. The palate is full and intense, bringing raspberry, cassis and caramelized sugar over round, fine-grained tannins. Firm grip keeps the sweetness balanced through a long, spicy finish. Decant carefully and serve with blue cheese or dark chocolate.
Smith Woodhouse 1994 Vintage Port
An intense colour introduces a rich, concentrated style with a distinctive floral bouquet. Dark fruit fills the palate, framed by integrated tannins and enough freshness to keep the sweetness composed. Full-bodied and powerful without losing balance, it finishes with depth and persistence. Stand upright and decant carefully before serving with blue cheese, aged cheddar or walnuts.
Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Port
Dark cherry, plum and blackcurrant lead, with cocoa, dried herbs and warm spice adding savoury depth. Rich and full, the palate balances generous sweetness with supple tannins and well-judged acidity, keeping the dense fruit composed. A light smoky note gathers through the finish, which remains smooth, persistent and distinctly satisfying without feeling heavy.
Vilacetinho 2016 Vinho Verde Red Escolha
A rustic northern Portuguese red with brambly raspberry, sour cherry and violet over a lightly earthy note. The palate is fresh and firmly structured, with grippy tannins and a subtle spritz adding energy. Serve it with a slight chill alongside grilled sausages, roast pork or hearty vegetable dishes; the savoury, mouth-watering finish is built for food.
Sao Joao 1997 Porta Dos Cavaleiros Mg
A mature Portuguese red with dried cherry, leather and stewed fruit, followed by game, earth and gentle spice. The palate is dry and medium-bodied, with settled acidity and elegant tannins supporting its savoury character. The finish is clean and composed rather than forceful, pairing especially well with roast chicken, coq au vin, mushrooms or slow-cooked pork.
Rocim 2021 Fresh From Amphora Nat’Cool Red 1 L
Light ruby in colour, with fragrant cherry, pomegranate and rose over earthy, savoury notes. The palate is dry, delicate and gently textured, with bright acidity keeping the fruit lively. Traditional clay-vessel ageing adds a subtle rustic edge without weighing down the wine, and the finish stays easygoing. Serve lightly chilled with pizza, grilled sausages, roast vegetables or tandoori chicken.
Luís Seabra 2020 Xisto Cru Tinto
Dark ruby, with ripe cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry framed by violet, green herbs and a thread of smoke. Lively acidity cuts through the red-fruited core, giving the palate energy and precision. Forest floor and black pepper add savoury detail, while flinty, wet-stone minerality carries the finely structured finish.
Caves Sao Joao 1985 Dao Porta dos Cavaleiros
Mature dark cherry and red berry sit beneath tobacco, pencil lead, graphite and dark chocolate, with damp earth, mushroom and leather adding further savoury depth. Medium acidity and resolved tannins give the palate a gentle, evolved shape, while hints of mint, dried flowers and cured meat carry the finish. Bottle variation is expected; stand upright and decant carefully around sediment.
Croft 2011 Vintage Port
Blueberry, ripe dark berries and violet lead a deeply scented bouquet, with rock rose, blue slate and a touch of leather adding complexity. Full-bodied and velvety, the palate balances luscious fruit with fresh acidity and firm, integrated tannins. Long, structured and energetic, it finishes with floral and mineral lift. Pair with Stilton or dark chocolate.
Quinta do Noval 1963 Vintage Port
At full maturity, the colour has softened to translucent ruby-tawny. Sweet strawberry and orange aromas lead into an elegant, balanced palate, where warm spice, a dry core and fine remaining tannins keep the fruit poised. The finish is long and gently warming. Bottle variation is possible at this age, so stand upright and decant carefully before serving.
Taylor Fladgate 1966 Vintage Port
Violet and ripe fig lead an elegant, fresh bouquet, joined by tobacco, cedar, pear and dried apricot. The palate is remarkably balanced, placing concentrated fruit within a firm mineral and tannic frame. Lively acidity keeps the texture poised, and the flavours continue with clarity through a long finish. Decant carefully and serve with blue cheese or walnuts.
Taylor Fladgate 2009 Vintage Port 375 mL
Inky black with a purple rim, opening on concentrated woodland fruit, raspberry and plum. Citrus blossom, mint and lavender lift the dense core, while a mineral edge adds definition. The palate is powerful and richly fruited, supported by thick, sinewy tannins that draw the wine into a long, tightly structured finish. Decant carefully before serving with blue cheese.
Caves São João 1966 Aguardente Vínica Velhíssima
Vanilla and coconut lead a rich, concentrated aroma, followed by light smoke and the polished warmth of mature oak. The palate is intense and complex, with sweet, creamy nuances bringing softness to the spirit's firm structure. Subtle nuts add savoury depth and balance. The finish is long and composed, leaving vanilla, smoke, oak spice and gentle nuttiness.
Blandy’s 1968 Sercial Madeira
Mid-deep amber with an olive-green rim, opening on lifted smoke and a distinctly savoury note. The palate is dry but not austere, combining crystallised fruit with incisive acidity and remarkable intensity. Greengage brings a fresh, tart lift through the centre. The finish is mouthwatering and persistent, moving from fruit to fine woodsmoke and a final touch of savoury complexity.
Messias Quinta do Cachão 1970 Vintage Port 750 mL
Mature garnet in colour, with crème caramel, coffee and black tea rising from a complex, fully developed bouquet. The palate is full-bodied yet balanced, its sweetness held in check by freshness and a gently dry edge. Bright berry fruit lends lift through the middle, while fine savoury detail adds dimension. Elegant and composed, it finishes exceptionally long with lingering caramel, tea and mature fruit.
Fonseca 2003 Vintage Port 1.5 L
Deep in colour with a brick-red rim, opening on ripe cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant. Dark chocolate and cocoa add depth, while mint and warm spice bring lift. The palate is rich and powerful but remains harmonious, with crisp fruit and firm, silky tannins carrying the wine without heaviness. A softening texture suggests maturity, yet the structure remains clear through a long, expressive finish.
Messias Quinta do Cachão 1967 Vintage Port 750 mL
Golden-tawny in colour, with developed aromas of dried fruit, hazelnut and warm spice. The palate is intense and complex, yet freshness keeps the mature sweetness from feeling heavy. Smooth tannins give gentle structure while notes of fig, walnut and bottle-aged savouriness unfold through the middle. Delicate and composed, it finishes long with lingering spice and dried-fruit depth.
Leacock’s 1969 Sercial Madeira 750 mL
An expressive mature Madeira in the drier Sercial style, with pronounced nuttiness, toffee and warm spice. The palate carries sweetness, though it remains notably less rich than Malmsey, with acidity keeping the wine lifted and composed. Long cask ageing has brought layered savoury complexity and a persistent finish. Its balance of caramelized depth and freshness makes it especially compelling alongside aged cheese.
Vinhos Borges 2018 Meia Encosta Dão 750 mL
Red and ripe fruit lead a generous but precise palate, supported by fine tannins rather than overt weight. Fresh acidity gives the wine lift and keeps the fruit defined through the middle, while a quiet savoury edge adds complexity. The finish is persistent, returning to red fruit with a clean, balanced shape. Pair with roast chicken, grilled pork, chorizo pasta or a simple beef stew.