Wine
Dow’s 1977 Vintage Port
Black cherry liqueur, plum compote, fig and date lead a complex mature bouquet, with orange peel, cacao, espresso, violet and cedar adding detail. Silken but authoritative, the palate carries sweet dark fruit over lively acidity and velvety tannins. Walnut, liquorice and clove emerge through a long finish of cocoa and candied citrus. Decant carefully before serving.
Quinta do Noval 1985 Vintage Port
Warm fruitcake, toasted cinnamon, sandalwood and blood orange form a mature, perfumed bouquet. The palate is silky and rounded, with sweet dark fruit, earthy spice and understated complexity held in elegant balance. This is fully developed rather than heavy, and ready to enjoy now. Stand upright, decant gently and serve with Stilton, walnuts or dark chocolate.
Graham’s Vintage Port 1985
Deep at the core with a fine tawny rim, offering ripe plum, dark berries, fig and baking spice over a subtle nutty undertone. Full-bodied and concentrated, the palate is remarkably soft, with integrated spirit, mellow tannins and enough freshness to hold the sweetness in balance. Persistent and composed on the finish, it pairs naturally with Stilton or walnut tart.
Chateau Rieussec 1998 Sauternes
Deep gold and richly layered, with candied apricot, honeyed fig and marmalade opening into toasted almond, saffron and gentle oak. The palate is concentrated yet composed, balancing dried lemon peel, pear and marzipan with mature earthy detail. Fresh acidity keeps the sweetness precise. The finish is long and persistent, carrying honey, vanilla, citrus and a subtle savoury lift.
Domaine Ponsot Clos des Monts Luisants Vieilles Vignes 2020 Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru Blanc 750 mL
Pale yellow-green in colour, opening with peach, crisp apple and lemon zest. Honeydew and a light floral note sit above wet stone and restrained savoury spice. The palate is fresh and precise, with high acidity shaping a medium-bodied, lightly creamy texture. Citrus and orchard fruit remain clear through the finish, joined by mineral tension and a subtle honeyed accent that adds breadth without reducing the wine's energy.
Domaine A.F. Gros 2016 Beaune Premier Cru Les Boucherottes Pinot Noir 1.5 L
Raspberry and red cherry lead with darker cherry, gentle spice and a subtle earthy note. The palate is bright and finely shaped, combining generous fruit with polished tannins and a clear line of freshness. Quiet oak detail adds depth without becoming dominant. The finish is persistent and composed, carrying red fruit, spice and savoury nuance with the balance and restraint expected of a carefully made Beaune Premier Cru.
Château L’Église-Clinet 1999 Pomerol 750 mL
Mature and understated, with black cherry, smoke and forest floor leading the nose. Earth and leather add depth, while a thread of freshness keeps the profile from feeling tired. The palate is medium-bodied and supple, its fruit now fully integrated with soft tannins and restrained savoury detail. Subtle spice appears toward the close, and the finish is measured rather than forceful, leaving dark cherry, smoke and underbrush behind.
Blandy’s 10 Year Old Bual Madeira 3 L
Rich raisin, fig and orange-marmalade aromas sit over caramel, vanilla and toasted walnut. The palate is medium-sweet and concentrated, with maple-like depth balanced by Madeira's firm acidity, so the sweetness remains energetic rather than heavy. Dried fruit and gentle spice carry through a long, complex finish. Serve lightly chilled with blue cheese, nut tart or caramelized desserts, or pour a small glass after dinner.
Caymus 2005 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
Black cherry and blackberry lead a generous, fruit-forward profile, with vanilla, seasoned oak and earthy notes adding depth. Creamy in both flavour and texture, the palate is broad and smooth without losing its savoury outline. Dark fruit and gentle spice carry evenly through the long, polished finish. Serve with grilled steak or braised short ribs.
Chateau Rieussec 2002 Sauternes
White flowers and dried honey lead a restrained aroma, followed by peach skin and a light lanolin note. The palate is fuller and more expressive, bringing mango, clementine and spice-tinged honey into fresh acidity and a rounded, balanced texture. Orange marmalade and candied ginger add depth without heaviness. The finish remains poised, lingering on apricot, citrus, saffron and gentle spice.
Dunn Vineyards 2015 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Kirsch and blackcurrant open with sandalwood, sweet tobacco and exotic spice. The palate is full-bodied and layered, balancing rich, pure fruit with an elegant texture and firm, woven tannins. Cedar, dried herbs, graphite and lavender add complexity, while red cherry, plum and mint carry the structured frame into a long, poised finish.
Comtes Lafon 2017 Volnay Santenots du Milieu
Cappellano 2019 Otin Fiorin Piè Rupestris Barolo 750 mL
Red cherry and lifted floral notes meet earthy truffle, warm stone and subtle spice. The palate is medium-bodied yet concentrated, with pure fruit held in tension by firm, classic tannins. A mineral edge and savoury depth build through the middle while the texture remains pliant and finely judged. Long and structured, the finish carries rugged energy with unusual harmony and refinement.
Giovanni Chiappini 2013 Guado de’ Gemoli Bolgheri Superiore Magnum
Cassis, ripe black cherry and raspberry open with tobacco, liquorice, black pepper and a quiet balsamic note. The palate is concentrated and vigorous, combining dark fruit with close-grained tannins, savoury olive and measured toast. Fresh acidity and a saline edge keep the richness in balance, carrying the wine into a long, firm finish. Decant carefully and serve with braised beef, roast lamb or porcini dishes.
Mark Haisma La Croix des Champs 2009 Gevrey-Chambertin 750 mL
Ripe cherry and strawberry lead a generous, mature profile, with liquorice, beetroot and gentle vanilla adding depth. Savoury notes of meat, forest floor and cedar sit behind the fruit rather than dominating it. The palate is round and elegant, shaped by light tannins and a fine peppery edge. A touch of earthy root vegetable appears toward the close, followed by a composed, lightly astringent finish.
Domaine Bachey-Legros Les Petits Clos Vieilles Vignes 2021 Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Morgeot Blanc 750 mL
White flowers lead a refined nose, with fine spice and a restrained vanilla note adding depth. The palate has breadth and substance, yet remains energetic and straight, with fresh acidity keeping the texture controlled. Orchard fruit sits at the centre, framed by gentle oak rather than covered by it. The finish is long and composed, moving through toasted hazelnut toward a clear mineral accent.
Brilliant Mistake 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 750 mL
Dark currant and crème de cassis lead, joined by sandalwood, scorched earth and a quiet red-pepper note. The palate is rich and full-bodied, with dense black fruit framed by polished tannins and a clear mineral line. Lead pencil, spice box and floral detail add definition through the middle. The finish is long and composed, carrying ripe fruit, savoury depth and measured oak without losing freshness.
Domaine Latour-Giraud 2022 Meursault Premier Cru Les Genevrières 750 mL
Golden orchard fruit and a light herbal note emerge over a restrained, mineral nose. The palate is broad yet precise, with ripe fruit woven tightly through fresh acidity and a fine, almost delicate texture. Subtle exotic tea and citrus add lift as the wine gains intensity. Bone-dry and beautifully structured, it finishes exceptionally long, energetic and focused, retaining both charm and the quiet authority of premier-cru Meursault.
Roagna 2018 Pira Barolo DOCG
Pale ruby in colour, with preserved strawberry, red cherry and currant framed by rose petal, lavender, dried herbs, tobacco and mint. The palate is bright and linear, combining vivid acidity with refined, closely woven tannins. Sandalwood, licorice and graphite add depth before an energetic, long and finely poised finish.