Bordeaux
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.
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.
Chateau Pavie 2000 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Ripe black cherry and salty plum lead, layered with crushed rock, dried flowers, tobacco leaf, smoke, cocoa and liquorice. The palate is full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with abundant dark fruit carried by a stony mineral line. Long and powerful yet composed, it finishes with savoury freshness and remarkable persistence.
Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases 2010
A monumental Saint-Julien with deep cassis, blackcurrant and plum, joined by cedar, cigar box, graphite, clove and mineral notes. The full-bodied palate is tightly structured, layering powerful dark fruit over firm, finely grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Long and classical through the finish, it deserves a generous decant alongside prime beef, venison or lamb.
Château Palmer 2016 Margaux
Pure and expressive, with black cherry, cassis, blueberry and violet lifted by graphite, crushed stone, anise and subtle oak. Dense and concentrated but remarkably polished, the palate combines vibrant freshness with ripe tannins, savoury mineral detail and a long, poised finish. Still youthful, it benefits from about four hours in a decanter before serving with slow-cooked beef or lamb.
Chateau Leoville Las Cases 1982 Saint-Julien
Classic and commanding, with blackcurrant, cedar, lead pencil and forest-floor notes unfolding over tobacco and spice. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated, yet vibrant, with cassis and blackberry held by firm, mature tannins and a clear mineral line. Time in the glass brings greater lift and aromatic detail without softening its structure entirely. The finish is exceptionally long and intense, carrying dark fruit, cigar box and cool savoury depth.
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.
Angelus 2016
Black plum, blackberry and dark cherry rise from a deeply perfumed bouquet, joined by cedar, violet and a touch of bitter orange. The palate is rich yet energetic, with dense, refined tannins framing generous fruit and a fresh, dry core. Long and poised, it suits roast lamb, beef tenderloin or truffle dishes.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1988 Pauillac
Classic and mature, with cassis, plum and red berry framed by cedar, walnut, pencil shavings, tobacco and earthy mineral notes. The palate is round and balanced, showing fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla and a gently drying woody edge on the long finish. Bottle condition matters; stand upright, decant carefully for about two hours and serve with veal or roast 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 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 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 Palmer 2018 Margaux
Dense and powerful, with plum, blackberry, cassis and blueberry layered with graphite, scorched earth, mint, tobacco and mocha. The palate is richly concentrated yet maintains fresh acidity, ripe tannins and a velvety texture, carrying its dark fruit through a long mineral finish. Still youthful, it benefits from about four hours in a decanter before serving with roast duck 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.
Château Latour 2004 Pauillac
Cassis and dark cherry lead a refined bouquet, with carob, cedar, pencil shavings, nuts and floral notes of lilac, lavender and jasmine. The palate is round, supple and balanced, combining fresh acidity with ripe tannins, chocolate richness and a structured, elegant finish. Still developing, it benefits from about two hours in a decanter before serving with beef or lamb.
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.
Chateau 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 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.