Bordeaux Blend
Bordeaux Blend
Laughing Stock 2016 Portfolio
Wild black fruit leads, edged by garrigue, black pepper and vanilla. A blend of five varieties from twelve vineyard blocks gives the palate density and scale, while careful tannin management keeps the texture silky and composed rather than hard. Richly structured yet notably balanced, it has the depth to cellar and enough polish to enjoy now.
Hester Creek 2021 Garland Red
Deep ruby in colour, with a cedary, spicy nose of blackcurrant and blueberry lifted by a restrained toasty note. The palate is dry, elegant and medium to full bodied, bringing red and blackcurrant fruit into focus. Ripe tannins, polished balance and a smooth, generous mouthfeel carry the wine through a poised, lingering finish.
La Frenz 2021 Grand Total Reserve
Concentrated black fruit sits at the centre of this dry, full-bodied red, with tobacco and other savoury notes adding depth. Firm tannins give the palate a youthful, structured feel, so a generous decant is worthwhile if opened now. The finish is persistent and composed rather than heavy. Serve with roast beef, grilled lamb, braised short ribs or mature cheddar.
Phantom Creek 2019 Becker Vineyard Cuvée Okanagan Valley
Dark cherry and black currant rise with black sage, forest floor and a peppery herbal note. Smooth and supple on the palate, it layers ripe red bramble fruit over fine-grained tannins while maintaining freshness and balance. The finish is long, savoury and composed. Serve with roast lamb, braised beef, grilled peppers or wild mushrooms.
Summerhill 2016 Ner Tamid Magnum
Dark cherry and blackcurrant lead an elegant, full-flavoured red, with gentle cedar, dried herbs and warm spice adding savoury detail. The palate is polished rather than heavy, its ripe fruit held by fresh acidity and fine, measured tannins. Composed and persistent, it suits roast lamb, braised beef or mushroom dishes.
Château Mouton Rothschild 2005 Pauillac Magnum
Intense and beautifully composed, with blackcurrant, dusty cassis and dark fruit joined by coffee, cocoa, grated chocolate, spice, smoke and a faint savoury herbal note. Full-bodied and powerful yet elegant, the palate is rich, balanced and tightly woven, with firm tannins, fresh acidity and a long, silky finish. Give it about two hours in a decanter before serving with beef or lamb.
Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2003 Pauillac Magnum
Dense and authoritative, with cassis, blackberry and black cherry framed by graphite, cocoa, smoke and a measured touch of cedar. The palate is powerful but controlled, combining deep fruit with firm, fine-grained tannins and a fresh line of acidity. Leather and dark spice build across a persistent finish. Give it generous air before serving with venison or braised beef.
Chateau La Lagune 2019 Haut-Medoc
Dense and deeply aromatic, opening with fragrant blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry alongside plum, rose petal and sweet pipe tobacco. The palate is polished and supple, with ripe fruit, cedar and dark chocolate framed by freshness and fine tannins. A balanced, lifted finish keeps the wine poised rather than heavy.
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 Margaux 2011 Margaux
Violet and delicate spice lift a fragrant mix of black cherry, blackberry and cassis, with mocha, smoke and truffle adding depth. Concentrated yet graceful, the palate is soft and refined, with velvety fruit, smooth tannins and a long, caressing finish. Give it four to five hours in a decanter and serve with spiced lamb, duck or mushroom dishes.
Chateau Latour 1989 Pauillac
Evolved dark ruby with amber at the rim, offering ripe black cherry, currant, caramel, coffee, cedar and spice. The palate is medium-bodied, cohesive and smooth, with black fruit, gravel, graphite and pencil-box detail. Gentle grip and satisfying depth carry the savoury fruit into a composed, quietly persistent 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.
Château Haut-Brion 2004 Pessac-Leognan
Refined and restrained, with blackcurrant, black cherry and savoury dark fruit joined by graphite, cedar, smoke, cigar box and mineral notes. Medium-bodied and focused, the palate combines fresh acidity with fine, well-integrated tannins, measured concentration and notable vitality. The finish is long and pure; decant for about four hours and serve with simply prepared beef or lamb.
Château Haut-Brion 1995 Pessac-Leognan
Deep and refined, with blackcurrant, plum and blackberry joined by graphite, cedar, tobacco leaf, leather, earth and subtle smoke. The palate is full-bodied yet elegant, combining ripe dark fruit with polished, still-present tannins, bright acidity and mineral precision. A long, savoury finish rewards about three hours in a decanter; serve with roast lamb, veal or game birds.
Château 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.
Château 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.
Château Lafite Rothschild 1995 Pauillac
Classically restrained, with blackcurrant and dark berry layered with cedar, tobacco, coconut, woodsmoke and a faint vanilla note. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate is focused and finely structured, balancing fresh fruit with a firm tannic edge and polished savoury detail. The finish is long, smoky and composed; decant before serving with roast lamb or beef.
Croix Mouton 2016 Bordeaux Superieur
Crushed violet, ripe black cherry and cassis give the bouquet an elegant, perfumed lift. Medium-bodied and fresh, the palate layers sappy black fruit over well-judged acidity, with saline and black olive notes adding savoury definition. The finish remains bright and poised, making this an easy match for roast lamb, duck or grilled mushrooms.
Chateau 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.
Chateau Haut-Brion 1999 Pessac-Leognan
Deep red in colour, opening with red and black berries, mulberry and cherry, joined by woody vanilla, light caramel and liquorice. The palate is soft, harmonious and beautifully proportioned, with concentrated fruit and finely integrated structure. Gentle sweetness and poised freshness carry the balanced, persistent finish with exceptional charm.
Dominus Estate 2003 Red Blend Yountville Napa Valley
Violet, raspberry and worn leather open over plum-toned fruit. The palate builds gradually through cumin, dark red fruit, blackcurrant and cherry, with underbrush and black tea adding savoury complexity. Supple and full-bodied yet restrained, it carries tobacco and truffle through a long, fragrant finish shaped by fine tannins and fresh balance.
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2001 Napa Valley
Deep and layered, with black cherry, plum, cassis and dark berry framed by cedar, graphite, mocha, chocolate, tobacco and floral notes. Full-bodied and opulent yet precise, the palate brings excellent concentration, supple sweet tannins and measured oak into a long, structured finish. Allow generous air before serving with grilled beef, lamb or mushrooms.
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2002 Napa Valley
Bold and concentrated, with black cherry, boysenberry, plum, cassis and blackberry layered with violet, graphite, toasted oak, tobacco, charcoal and mocha. Full-bodied and luxurious, the palate has firm fine-grained tannins, dark chocolate, spice and a long, persistent finish. The structure is imposing but polished, making this a natural match for grilled beef or lamb.
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2005 Napa Valley
Deeply coloured, concentrated and layered, with black cherry, cassis, blackberry and currant lifted by dried violet, rose, anise, graphite, cedar and roasted herb. The palate is classically structured, combining vibrant fruit with fresh acidity, polished tannins and a mineral edge. Rich yet balanced, it finishes persistent and mouth-coating; allow generous air and serve with grilled beef or lamb.
Château 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 Montrose 2006 Saint-Estephe
Dense and still tightly wound, with red berries, currant and morello cherry set against cedar, graphite, tobacco and dark mineral notes. The palate is concentrated and firm, carrying substantial extract and tannin with a measured sweetness of fruit on the finish. Decant generously to reveal its savoury detail, then serve with braised beef, venison or roast lamb.
Bacio Divino 2013 Napa Valley Proprietary Red
Blackberry and blackcurrant lead, joined by new saddle leather and a savoury, gently earthy edge. The palate is full-bodied and voluptuous, with generous dark fruit carried by silky tannins and a broad, supple texture. Powerful yet composed, it holds its concentration through a long, polished finish with plenty of warmth and personality.
Harlan Estate 2014 Proprietary Red Oakville Napa Valley
Blackcurrant, black cherry and crushed blackberry open with violet, graphite and rose petal. The full-bodied Cabernet blend is dense yet finely balanced, layering plum, mocha and liquorice over ultra-fine tannins. Forest floor, charcoal, dried herbs and warm spice add savoury depth, while mineral tension carries the rich fruit into a long, focused finish.
Opus One 2013 Napa Valley
Concentrated and aromatic, with blueberry, cassis, blackberry and black cherry lifted by rose, anise, baking spice, graphite and cedar. A creamy entry gives way to vibrant freshness, velvety tannins and impressive mid-palate depth. Rich but precisely balanced, it finishes very long and perfumed; allow generous air and serve with prime rib, grilled lamb or wild mushrooms.
Osoyoos Larose 2022 Petales d’Osoyoos
Exuberant and muscular, with savoury spice running through a ripe Bordeaux-style profile. The five-variety blend gives the palate breadth and layered structure, while youthful energy keeps the finish lively rather than heavy. Decant for 30 to 45 minutes before serving with roast lamb, grilled beef or mushroom dishes.










