750 mL
Michele Reverdito 2016 Barolo Castagni
A youthful Barolo with dark Morello cherry, forest fruit, sweet spice and leather. The palate is savoury and smoky, with firm but rounded tannins framing the fruit and carrying it into a harmonious finish. Give it generous air, then serve with braised beef, roast lamb, truffle dishes or aged hard cheese; further cellaring should bring added softness.
Fleury Blanc de Noirs Brut NV Champagne
Black cherry and kirsch meet chalk, mint and a twist of white pepper. Delicate yet richly fruited, the dry palate has a fine mousse and an elegant slate-like mineral line. It finishes clean and mouthwatering, with enough structure for food. Serve with oysters, charcuterie, mushroom tart or simply well chilled before dinner.
Nicolas Feuillatte NV Brut Réserve Champagne
Zenato 2018 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico
Intense garnet colour introduces black cherry, brandied marasca cherry, dried fig and plum, with cocoa and sweet spice adding depth. The palate is lush and velvety, its generous sweetness balanced by freshness and soft tannins. Dark fruit and spice remain poised through the long finish. Pair with blue cheese, panettone or dark chocolate.
Champagne Charpentier 2016 Millésime ACT’
Fine bubbles and an expressive nose of toast, red apple and perfumed flowers lead into a creamy, meringue-like palate. Ripe fruit gives breadth, while bright acidity and mineral freshness keep the shape precise. A touch of citrus and subtle spice carries the balanced finish. Serve with shellfish, roast poultry or aged cheese.
Domaine Georges Vernay 2017 Terres d’Encre Saint-Joseph
Dark cherry, damson plum and blackberry meet violet, white pepper and a light smoky note. The palate is silky and medium-bodied, with pure fruit carried by vibrant acidity and soft, discreet tannins. Sanguine minerality and a savoury olive edge lead into a persistent, focused and quietly spicy 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.
Umani Ronchi 2013 Pelago Marche IGT 750 mL
Deep ruby colour introduces coffee, black pepper, liquorice and tobacco, followed by ripe berries and vanilla. The palate is fruit-rich yet structured, with mineral detail adding lift beneath the darker flavours. Firm tannins give the wine shape and measured grip, while extended time in barrique and bottle brings integration. It finishes savoury and persistent, leaving berries, spice, tobacco and a cool mineral impression.
Christophe Mignon Ratafia Champenois Meunier
Honeyed and softly rounded, with apricot and ripe melon set against a subtle stony, earthy note. The palate is generous without becoming heavy, carrying natural fruit sweetness through a smooth, warming texture. A savoury edge brings balance to the finish. Serve lightly chilled in a small pour with pâté, blue cheese or fruit tart.
Palmer & Co NV Brut Réserve Champagne
Citrus, pear and apricot lead with white flowers, clementine and fresh peach. The palate is succulent yet focused, with a creamy mousse and unfettered freshness carrying orchard fruit through the centre. Hazelnut, toasted almond and buttery brioche lend measured richness to the clean, balanced finish.
Perrier-Jouët NV Grand Brut Champagne
Cakebread Cellars 2020 Napa Valley Chardonnay
St. Francis 2016 Old Vines Zinfandel Sonoma County
Red raspberry, wild blackberry and cranberry bring freshness to a ripe, generous fruit profile. Anise, cinnamon and toasted oak add warmth without overwhelming the fruit, while velvet tannins give the palate a smooth, rounded shape. Medium-bodied and balanced, the Zinfandel carries its spice through a long, supple finish.
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.
Hammeken Cellars 2013 Tosalet Vinyes Velles Priorat
Cranberry, red cherry and blackberry lead a concentrated aroma, joined by tobacco, cocoa and eucalyptus. The palate is full and structured, with firm, ripe tannins giving shape to the dark fruit. Slate and cracked pepper add a savoury mineral edge, while liquorice brings depth through the middle. The finish is long and warming, carrying fruit, spice and cocoa in a composed, persistent line.
Podere San Cristoforo 2020 Ameri Toscana IGT
Deeply coloured and expressive, with blackberry compote, ripe plum and dark cherry layered with violet, rose, mocha, clove and licorice. The palate is concentrated and racy, supported by firm, chewy tannins and a fresh line of acidity. Herbal and resinous notes bring lift to the rich fruit, leading to a bold, persistent finish.
Moulin Touchais Coteaux du Layon 1998
Brilliant gold in the glass, with rich apricot, baked apple and dried fruit joined by honeyed spice and a subtle botrytised complexity. The palate is luscious yet disciplined, balancing mature sweetness with a bright seam of acidity and gently savoury depth. Long and poised on the finish, it is excellent with blue cheese, tarte tatin or fruit-based desserts.
Phantom Creek 2016 Becker Vineyard Cuvée Okanagan Valley
Blackberry and plum lead with dark chocolate, cedar, dried herbs and a subtle line of spice. Full bodied and layered, the palate carries generous fruit over fine tannins with enough freshness to keep the richness composed. The finish is long and detailed. Decant generously and pair with braised beef, roast lamb, grilled mushrooms or mature cheddar.
Foradori 2011 Granato Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT
Elderberry, cranberry and blackberry lead a dark, youthful nose, followed by sour cherry, black pepper, clove and cinnamon. The palate is taut and densely structured, with juicy fruit, firm minerality and increasingly approachable tannins. Complex and built to develop, it benefits from air and suits braised beef or lamb shanks.
Trapiche 2010 Terroir Series Finca Ambrosia Single Vineyard Malbec 750 mL
Violet-scented fruit and sweet red plum open the documented profile, followed by roasted notes, black pepper and crushed dark berries. The palate is rich and ample, with supple texture, rounded tannins and fresh dark fruit. Wood smoke, lemon peel, blackberry, tar, dark spice, coffee and mocha add further depth before a long, powerful finish marked by chocolate and nutmeg.