Wine
Caves Sao Joao 1978 Frei Joao Bairrada Magnum
Brick-edged and fully mature, with leather, iodine and damp forest-floor aromas leading into dried cherry and further woodland detail. The palate remains surprisingly fresh, with fully resolved tannins and a seamless transition into a long, lingering finish. Bottle condition will matter at this age; stand upright, open with care and assess before decanting. Serve with roast game or mushroom dishes.
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.
Domaine Ponsot Clos des Monts Luisants Vieilles Vignes 2015 Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru Blanc 750 mL
Ripe yellow fruit, pear and green apple open with lemon rind, almond and a quiet honeyed note. The palate is broad and creamy, yet fresh acidity and salinity keep the texture composed. Toast, chestnut and warm spice add depth around a core of citrus and orchard fruit. Full-bodied but controlled, it finishes long and savoury, with mineral tension carrying the richness.
Franz Haas Pònkler 2019 Pinot Nero Alto Adige 750 mL
Bright ruby in colour, with ripe raspberry, rosehip and blood orange giving the nose a vivid, lifted character. Sage, candied ginger and fine green spice add complexity without obscuring the fruit. The palate is deep yet elegant, spreading smoothly across the tongue with polished structure and lively spice. A subtle stony note brings focus, while balanced freshness carries the wine into a very long, precise finish.
The Mascot 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 mL
Supple and expansive from the outset, with a broad aromatic profile and deep, polished fruit. The palate moves in smooth layers, balancing gratifying acidity with refined, velvety tannins. Its richness is controlled rather than heavy, allowing the structure to emerge gradually as the wine opens. The finish is long and burnished, with the fruit receding slowly to reveal a composed, savoury foundation beneath.
Macauley 2012 Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley
Black fruit and cherry rise from the glass with wet stone, blackberry jam, raspberry and finely judged oak spice. The palate is warm and viscous yet remarkably balanced, bringing ripe cherry, clove and layered spice into focus. Stately, refined tannins give the Cabernet shape and carry its dark fruit through a long, composed finish.
Paul Jaboulet Aîné 2019 Hermitage La Chapelle 750 mL
Black olive and smoked bacon give the first impression a dark, savoury tone, followed by crushed blackberry, graphite and violet. The palate is dense but not jammy, with concentrated fruit held by firm, fine-grained tannins. A clear mineral line keeps the power focused, and the finish is exceptionally long, elegant and floral. Decant well before serving with venison, braised beef or aged hard cheese.
Méo-Camuzet Frère et Sœurs 2023 Chambolle-Musigny Pinot Noir 750 mL
Perfumed, crunchy red fruit opens with violet and rose-petal lift, followed by a quiet thread of spice. The palate is dry, medium-bodied and finely shaped, with fresh acidity giving the fruit precision and energy. Silky texture and fine tannins keep the wine graceful rather than weighty. The finish is pure and persistent, returning to red berries, florals and subtle spice with composed length.
Vietti 2021 Perbacco Langhe Nebbiolo 3 L
Ripe red fruit opens with mint, sweet spice and a lightly floral note. The palate is robust and generous in its youth, yet shaped by rounded, elegant tannins and enough freshness to keep the fruit clear. Savoury earth and dried herbs emerge through the middle. The finish is long and refined, leaving red cherry, spice and a composed mineral persistence.
Château Haut-Bailly 2005 Pessac-Léognan 750 mL
Mature and composed, with blackcurrant, blackberry and dark plum framed by graphite, tobacco and worn leather. The palate is generous without becoming heavy, its ripe fruit held in place by fine, persistent tannins and a savoury mineral line. Cedar and earth emerge with air, while measured acidity keeps the texture fresh. The finish is long and quietly complex, carrying dark fruit, pencil lead and gentle spice.
Bartolo Mascarello 2018 Barolo 750 mL
Raspberry, wild strawberry and red cherry form a bright, transparent core, lifted by orange peel and rose petals. Wet stone, cardamom and soft earth add savoury definition without dulling the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied and poised, with fresh acidity and fine, integrated tannins creating a silky but structured feel. Floral and mineral notes persist through a long, precise finish with measured spice and gentle earthy depth.
Jérôme Prévost La Closerie Les Béguines NV Extra Brut Champagne 750 mL
Golden in colour, with a fine mousse and an expressive smoky edge. Brioche, nectarine and lemon zest lead into chalk, wet stone and a subtle flinty note. The palate is taut and concentrated, driven by lemon oil, brisk freshness and firm linearity. Hints of honey and iron add depth without softening the mineral focus, and the finish remains long, bright and precise.
Frédéric Savart La Moufle 2020 Les Mesneux Premier Cru Extra Brut Champagne 750 mL
Dried pear and bright citrus lead into ginger, sage and dried flowers, with a fine creamy touch beneath the fruit. The palate is tense and energetic, its Meunier-led core cut by saline minerality and chalky precision. Spice and menthol bring lift as the wine opens, while restrained dosage keeps the finish dry and focused. Balanced, pure and persistent, it closes with savoury mineral detail.
René Rostaing 2019 Côte-Rôtie La Viaillère 750 mL
Kirsch, blackberry and ripe plum are framed by violet, dried herbs, olive and green pepper. The palate combines concentration with a velvety, savoury texture, its dark fruit held in line by fresh acidity and fine, rounded tannins. Pepper and mineral notes sharpen the profile as it opens, while a measured touch of oak adds polish. The finish is long, floral and gently herbal rather than heavy.
Silver Oak 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Magnum
Cassis, blackberry, vanilla, sage and spearmint form an inviting aromatic profile, with potpourri and bramble adding savoury depth. The palate builds steadily toward a bright core of raspberry, staying focused and vibrant as the fruit unfolds. Polished oak and measured structure carry the Cabernet into a crisp, lifted finish.
Quilceda Creek 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Blackberry, blueberry and black cherry form a generous dark-fruited core, layered with crème de cassis, spring flowers, cocoa, roasted herbs and a mineral note. Full-bodied and concentrated, the palate is seamless, with juicy, finely integrated tannins and impressive purity. The long finish brings graphite, tobacco and subtle baking spice. Serve with prime rib or braised beef.
Veuve Clicquot 2004 La Grande Dame Brut Champagne
Floral and open, with baked pear, brioche and toasted nuts joined by apple, quince and a quiet honeyed note. The palate is creamy yet energetic, its fine mousse carried by bright acidity. Cherry, strawberry and chalk bring freshness and definition through the middle. The finish is balanced and persistent, leaving dried apple, pear, bread dough and a clean mineral trace.
Ornellaia 2022 Bolgheri DOC Superiore 750 mL
Black fruit leads with blackberry and black cherry, layered with vanilla, tobacco and a touch of sweet spice. The palate is expansive and generous, supported by powerful yet finely integrated tannins. Cedar, dark cocoa and a mineral edge add definition through the middle, while fresh acidity keeps the concentrated fruit composed. Savoury and vibrant on the finish, it carries its richness with clarity and enduring length.
Bénédicte & Stéphane Tissot DD 2022 Arbois Rouge 3 L
Raspberry, cranberry and bright red berries lead with rose hip, hibiscus and a delicate floral perfume. The palate is medium-bodied and lively, balancing juicy fruit with earthy detail, fine tannins and a lightly dusty grip. Gentle herbs and warm spice add savoury definition without obscuring the freshness. Concentrated yet approachable, it closes cleanly with red fruit and an earthy, food-friendly finish.
Chateau Rieussec 2003 Sauternes
Marmalade, quince and vanilla open a rich, aromatic profile, followed by coconut, candied orange peel and dried mango. The palate is medium to full in body, with honeyed sweetness held in check by lively acidity and a fine mineral line. Spiced pear and toasted almond deepen the centre. The finish is long and precise, leaving citrus, stone fruit and warm spice.