750 mL
Messias 1980 Colheita Port
Pale tawny in colour, with evolved aromas of noble wood, vanilla and a fine, lifted volatile note. Pepper, clove and nutmeg bring warm spice to the mature profile. The palate is powerful yet fresh, its balanced sweetness carried through a long, savoury finish. Serve slightly chilled; decanting is not required. Excellent with crème brûlée, treacle tart or nut-based desserts.
Château du Hureau 2013 Saumur Blanc Argile
Château du Coing de Saint-Fiacre 2010 Vieilles Vignes Muscadet
White fruit, green apple and ripe apricot meet lemon, honey and a distinct saline, iodine note. The palate is generous and rounded, with crisp acidity, fine lees-derived texture and a gentle natural prickle keeping the fruit lively. Flint and oyster-shell minerality carry the long, clean finish. Serve with shellfish, crab or simply prepared fish.
Moulin Touchais Coteaux du Layon 2002
Bright gold and wonderfully lively, with peach, papaya and melon layered over lemon zest, white flowers, honey, apricot and spiced orange peel. The palate is ripe and creamy but never heavy, its sweetness held in check by vivid acidity and a clean mineral line. Persistent and refreshing on the finish, it pairs beautifully with foie gras, blue cheese or almond tart.
Château du Hureau 2020 Saumur Blanc Argile
Apricot and Anjou pear lead, followed by white flowers and fresh citrus. The palate is succulent yet focused, with bright acidity shaping ripe white and exotic fruit into a clean, tonic line. A subtle mineral grip adds texture and precision, carrying the wine through a long, layered and gently floral finish.
Domaine des Baumard 2014 Savennières Trie Spéciale
Light gold in colour, with fig, peach, warm spice and almond on the nose. The palate is dry, rounded and powerful, carrying ripe fruit with a broad, polished texture. Chenin's natural freshness and the mineral imprint of schist and sandstone keep the richness composed. Serve as an aperitif or with shellfish, prawns, veal or lightly sweet-savoury sauces.
Domaine Pelle 2020 Menetou-Salon Morogues Blanc
Yellow plum, ripe citrus and a touch of tropical fruit give the nose generous lift. Concentrated on the palate without becoming heavy, it balances rounded fruit with clean acidity and a light mineral edge. The finish is fresh, aromatic and quietly persistent. Serve chilled with grilled prawns, fresh goat cheese, green vegetables or a simply dressed roast chicken.
Domaine Guiberteau 2020 Saumur Blanc
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.
Ferraton Père & Fils 2016 Lieu-Dit Montmain Côte-Rôtie
E. Guigal 2012 Ermitage Ex-Voto Rouge
Crème de cassis and black raspberry lead, layered with crushed rock, liquorice and a subtle savoury note. The palate is powerful and full-bodied, with concentrated dark fruit wrapped in ripe, steadily building tannins. Vanilla and spice add depth without softening the wine's mineral focus or its exceptionally long finish.
Éric Texier 2019 Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban Côtes du Rhône
Cassis, blueberry and damson plum lead, with violet, olive and smoky mineral notes adding lift. The palate is smooth and energetic, balancing black and blue fruit with black pepper, allspice and soft, supple tannins. Rosemary, a quiet savoury edge and fine acidity carry the wine through a fresh, textural finish.
Domaine de la Solitude 2018 Cornelia Constanza Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Black cherry and liquorice lead, joined by raspberry, sandalwood, tea and a hint of cinnamon. The full-bodied palate is ripe and concentrated without excess weight, its supple, silky tannins bringing shape to the generous fruit. Floral notes, fine mineral salinity and gentle spice extend an elegant, harmonious finish.
Château de Montfaucon 2012 Vin de Monsieur Le Baron
Domaine des Escaravailles 2019 Scarabée Libéré Cairanne
Crushed raspberry, ripe cherry and peppermint give the nose an immediate lift. The palate is smooth, juicy and fresh, with generous red fruit meeting darker spice and gentle structure. Fine tannins, bright acidity and a savoury herbal note keep the fruit precise, finishing clean and energetic rather than heavy.
Mark Haisma 2020 Cornas
Domaine de Beaurenard 2019 Rasteau
Intense black fruit and blueberry aromas are lifted by cracked pepper, dried herbs and a hint of cocoa. The palate is rich and concentrated, built around ripe Grenache fruit, firm but polished tannins and a clear mineral line. Blackberry, cherry and savoury spice persist through a focused, energetic finish. Serve with braised lamb, grilled sausages, roast aubergine or hard cheese.
Domaine Mouton Père et Fils 2015 Côte-Rôtie Maison Rouge
Saint Cosme 2023 Crozes-Hermitage
Black fruit, smoked bacon, cracked pepper and incense lead a savoury, aromatic nose. The palate has more structure than the appellation's flatter-ground examples, with dark Syrah fruit, firm tannins and a mineral line carrying through the finish. Meaty, peppery and composed rather than heavy, it is a strong match for grilled lamb, mushrooms or slow-cooked onions.
