Wine
Château de Beaucastel 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
Ripe red cherry and black cherry open with cassis, liquorice and layered exotic spice. Full-bodied and richly textured, the palate carries generous fruit without feeling heavy, supported by powerful but measured tannins. Earthy herbs and a cola-like savoury note emerge toward the long, warming finish. Decant for lamb, beef or game.
Château Godeau 2009 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Roasted black cherry, ripe plum and black raspberry lead, layered with liquorice, chocolate, sweet earth and light cedar. The palate is full and fleshy, with dark fruit carried by polished, silky tannins and fresh acidity. Savoury depth keeps the richness composed through a long, elegant and persistent finish.
Château de Sales 2009 Pomerol
Chocolate and cracked pepper lead the nose, followed by ripe red fruit and a discreet oak note. The palate opens with fresh energy, then settles into a structured, medium-bodied frame of fine tannins. Red cherry, coffee and dark chocolate add mature complexity, carrying the wine into a powerful, persistent and quietly seductive finish.
de Venoge Princes Blanc de Blancs NV Champagne
White flowers, lemon and crisp apple lead, joined by white fruit, vanilla and a quiet biscuit note. The palate is fresh and finely balanced, with smooth bubbles, bright acidity and a creamy, gently buttery texture. Lime and orange zest sharpen the finish, while a clear mineral line keeps the richness poised and elegant.
Ashes & Diamonds 2015 Grand Vin No. 2 A&D Vineyard Oak Knoll Red Blend 750 mL
Fresh red and blue fruit lead with measured spice and herbal tones. The palate favours finesse over weight, combining supple berry fruit with bright acidity and a poised, elegant texture. Subtle savoury depth emerges through the middle while fine tannins keep the blend composed. The finish is persistent and balanced, returning to red fruit, herbs and restrained oak detail.
Clos Saint Jean 2018 La Combe des Fous Châteauneuf-du-Pape 750 mL
Blackcurrant, black cherry and pomegranate lead a deep, expressive nose, joined by lavender, peppery garrigue, graphite and a touch of rose. The palate is full-bodied and richly layered, yet seamless tannins and fresh energy keep the wine from feeling heavy. Liquorice, tobacco and subtle white chocolate add savoury depth before a plush, velvety finish. Decant generously and serve with lamb shoulder, grilled beef or Provençal herbs and mushrooms.
Vouette et Sorbée NV Blanc d’Argile Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Mineral and expansive, opening with lemon, nougat and a subtle honeyed note over cool wet-clay and cold-earth tones. The palate is bone-dry and finely textured, with bright citrus, quiet savoury depth and a distinctly salty line. Crisp acidity carries the wine through a long, mouth-watering finish that feels vinous, precise and deeply composed.
Domaine Garnier & Fils 2022 Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir Chardonnay 750 mL
Bright citrus and orchard fruit open with a pale floral lift and a clean mineral note. The palate is juicy and concentrated, balancing ripe fruit with firm freshness and a finely textured centre. Subtle savoury detail gives the wine depth without muting its clarity. The finish is long and poised, carrying lemon, pear and stony mineral character with the density and precision expected from Grand Cru Chablis.
B Cellars 2014 Blend 26 750 mL
Ripe cherry, cedar and cocoa lead, with tobacco and dark spice adding depth. The palate is concentrated and full, built around Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with substantial fruit and a firm, polished frame. Oak contributes warmth and structure while the savoury notes keep the richness composed. Give it air before serving with grilled steak, braised short ribs, roast mushrooms or firm aged cheese.
Catena Zapata 2020 Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae Malbec 750 mL
Spicy black fruit and delicate flowers lead a highly aromatic nose, with plum, sour cherry, herbs and graphite adding detail. The palate is rounded and smooth yet precise, its ripe fruit supported by moderate acidity, fine grip and a chalky limestone impression. Freshness keeps the concentration poised through a long, mineral finish. Decant before serving with grilled lamb, braised beef or roasted eggplant.
Ployez-Jacquemart 2010 Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne
Apple, pear and fresh-baked bread open with hazelnut, flowers, chalk and restrained buttery oak. Deep and full-bodied, the palate combines Chardonnay creaminess with a precise mineral core and elegant mousse. Roasted notes build through the long, bright finish, which remains focused, vivid and impeccably balanced.
Dhondt-Grellet NV Roc Solare Assemblage Extra Brut Champagne
Fresh lemon, golden apple and pear lead into white flowers, honeysuckle and a subtle flinty, smoky note. The palate is generous yet linear, with creamy texture, ripe stone fruit and hazelnut held in check by chalky tension and saline precision. The very dry finish is long and focused, making this a fine match for oysters, scallops, tempura or aged Comté.
Dana Estates 2015 VASO Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Redcurrant and plum lead with sage, loam, tobacco box and warm spice. The palate opens on Bing cherry and dried herbs, then broadens through supple hillside tannins and a structured mid-palate. Ripe strawberry, forest floor and light mineral detail linger, giving the rich fruit a composed, savoury and persistent finish.
Cordero di Montezemolo 2019 Barolo Bricco Gattera
Dark cherry and plum lead a rich, concentrated nose, joined by spice, soft tobacco and a touch of candied licorice. The palate is full-bodied and firmly shaped, with generous fruit carried by structured tannins into a long, savoury finish. Decant and serve with braised beef, roast lamb or aged cheese.
Pierrick Bouley 2018 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots
Deeply coloured, with lifted high tones and striking aromatic intensity. The palate is broad and structured, its fine-grained tannins adding shape with almost no dryness. Layered, mobile fruit brings energy and dimension, while a slightly cushioned texture softens the wine's fresh lines. Powerful yet poised, with an excellent, persistent finish.
Taittinger NV Prélude Grands Crus
Pale yellow with silver highlights and a fine, persistent mousse. Fresh mineral notes lead into elderflower and a measured cinnamon accent, while lively citrus brings precision to the palate. White peach adds roundness and a silky texture through the middle, carrying the wine into a rich, lingering finish that balances finesse, energy and aromatic depth.
Keever Vineyards 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Blackberry and black cherry lead an elegant bouquet, joined by floral lift, vanilla and mocha as it opens. The palate is soft yet densely flavoured, with darker fruit carrying into a smooth finish. Fine, well-integrated tannins provide length without domination, making this a composed match for roast beef or lamb.
Fleury Cepages Blanc 2011/12 Extra Brut
Lifted aromas of citrus peel, white flowers, green apple, and crushed chalk, with a delicate hint of toasted almond from time on lees. The palate is taut and mineral-driven, its Extra Brut dosage sharpening the focus. Bright acidity cuts through notes of lemon, pear, and subtle brioche. Linear and precise through the finish, leaving a clean, saline impression with notable persistence.
Jean-Philippe Fichet 2020 Meursault Chardonnay 750 mL
Greengage leads a restrained profile with fresh citrus and a lightly savoury edge. The palate is precise and intense, its clean fruit carried by a focused, linear texture. Gentle lees detail and restrained oak bring depth without overt heaviness. The finish is composed and persistent, returning to green fruit, citrus and fine mineral notes with the clarity and tension that define a carefully handled Meursault.
Ramos Pinto NV 30 Year Old Tawny Port
Amber with orange, garnet and subtle green highlights, opening on dried fruit, vanilla, cinnamon and cocoa. Fresh, fine and delicate on entry, the palate layers ripe dried fruit with almond and hazelnut. Graceful vanilla, warm spice and measured sweetness extend through the long, balanced and lingering finish.