Wine
Domaine Xavier Gérard 2022 Côte-Rôtie 750 mL
Licorice root and brambly blackberry lead the exact-vintage record, followed by crunchy blueberry and dark plum. Savoury old oak, cracked pepper and a touch of game add further detail. The finish is described as long, savoury and grippy, with those same dark-fruited, spicy and meaty elements continuing through an intensely flavoured aftertaste. Dark fruit, spice and game remain central throughout.
Château Haut-Batailley 2016 Pauillac 750 mL
Blackcurrant, blueberry and blackberry open with violet, pressed iris and a light peppery note. The palate is tightly framed yet approachable, combining dark fruit with fine, slightly chalky tannins and bright linear acidity. Fresh marzipan and subtle spice add depth as the structure begins to soften. The finish is smooth and persistent, carrying floral lift, ripe fruit and polished Pauillac restraint.
Château Malescot St-Exupéry 2015 Margaux 750 mL
Steeped plum, fig and blackberry open with lilac, oyster-shell minerality and finely integrated oak. The palate is rich and composed, its dark fruit framed by mocha, vanilla and a discreet savoury edge. Velvety tannins carry the wine with power but preserve Margaux's floral refinement. The finish is long and harmonious, lingering on black fruit, violet, warm spice and mineral detail.
Domaine Rapet Père et Fils 2017 Corton Grand Cru 750 mL
Cassis and wild berries lead into forest floor and a fine thread of wood smoke. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated, with dense fruit held by firm, chewy tannins and a savoury mineral undertone. Power is matched by depth rather than excess, and the structure remains clear from the first sip through the finish. Long and expansive, it will reward a generous decant and substantial food.
Laurent Ponsot 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Cuvée de l’Aulne 750 mL
Strawberry and raspberry lead a lightly floral nose, with darker currant, soft earth, cedar and a whisper of wild herbs underneath. The palate is sleek and medium-bodied, combining fresh red fruit with savoury spice and a clear mineral line. Fine volume builds through the middle before a firmer, gently rustic finish brings shape and length. Give it time in a decanter and serve with duck, roast chicken or mushroom dishes.
St. Supéry 2019 Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 750 mL
Blackcurrant, blackberry and dark plum lead a concentrated nose, joined by boysenberry, anise, toasted oak and a light graphite note. The palate is full-bodied and opulent yet fresh, with polished, fine-grained tannins carrying the dark fruit through cocoa, vanilla and subtle earthy tones. A savoury tobacco edge adds complexity before a long, composed finish. Decant before serving with roast beef, lamb shoulder or grilled portobello mushrooms.
Pierre Gimonnet & Fils 2015 Special Club Champagne
Juicy citrus and tart green apple frame a cool, lean palate built around chalk and saline minerality. The mousse is fine and energetic, while delicate floral notes give the wine lift without softening its serious, tightly drawn structure. The finish is long, dry and precise. Excellent with oysters, sole meuniere, aged Comte or a simple roast chicken.
Cobb 2017 Doc’s Ranch Vineyard Pommard & 114 Selection Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Dense layers of black cherry, red plum and black tea open the wine, followed by cardamom and anise. The palate is juicy and succulent, with generous fruit carried by a smooth, detailed texture. Blueberry and red cherry bring lift, while measured spice and a neatly resolved finish keep the richer profile composed.
Cobb 2017 Coastlands Vineyard Old Firs Block Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Dark cherry and raspberry open with bay laurel, rose petal, lavender and white pepper. The palate is polished and svelte, its perfumed fruit held in a fresh, finely grained frame. Strawberry and tea leaf add detail before a lifted finish of orange rind and Meyer lemon peel, elegant and quietly persistent.
Foxtrot 2014 Chardonnay Magnum
Leafy green herbs, lemon skin and lemon oil lead into soft white peach and restrained barrel spice. The palate is rounded without losing its line, balancing creamy texture and subtle toast with clean citrus freshness. Mineral detail keeps the finish precise, giving the wine composure and quiet maturity rather than overt richness.
Castello di Bolgheri 2019 Bolgheri Superiore
Graphite and kirsch open, followed by black raspberry, fresh leather, cedar and a floral hint of lavender. Full-bodied yet refined, the palate combines dense dark fruit with vibrant acidity and a silky, well-integrated tannic structure. Savoury Mediterranean herbs carry into a generous, lengthy finish. Serve with roast lamb, braised beef, porcini or aged pecorino.
Remoissenet Père et Fils 2019 Nuits Saint Georges
Deep crimson Pinot Noir with rose, liquorice, cherry and blackcurrant, gaining leather, truffle and savoury depth with age. The palate is muscular and full-bodied, with a firm yet balanced structure and a long, composed finish. Built for patient cellaring and especially good with roast lamb, duck, game or washed-rind cheese.
Smith Woodhouse 1992 Vintage Port
Dark cherry, blackberry and dried fig mingle with toffee, cocoa, cedar and warm spice. Full-bodied and smooth, the palate is sweet and rounded, with ripe dark fruit held by integrated structure rather than heaviness. Liquorice and earthy notes carry through a gently warming finish. Decant carefully and serve with Stilton, walnuts or dark chocolate.
Agrapart NV 7 Crus Extra Brut Champagne
Fresh and finely chiselled, with lime zest, green apple and lemon framed by chalk, white flowers and a subtle pastry note. The palate is silky and linear, its fine mousse carrying bright citrus and mineral tension into a clean, saline finish. Precise rather than showy, it is a natural match for oysters, shellfish, gougères or simply prepared fish.
Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port 1980
Ruby with a mature brick rim, showing red and dark berries, anise, dried cherry and a quiet earthy spice. The palate is leaner and more savoury than opulent, with mellow sweetness, resolved tannins and a clean line of acidity leading to a cherry-stone finish. Graceful and ready to drink, it suits Stilton, aged cheddar or toasted almonds.
Remoissenet 2017 Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Champs-Gain 750 mL
Ripe orchard fruit leads with peach, apple and a touch of pineapple, framed by white flowers and quiet mineral detail. The palate is medium-bodied, creamy and broad, with integrated oak, toast and almond adding depth. Freshness keeps the generous fruit in balance, and a chalky, lightly spiced note carries the long finish. Serve with roast chicken, lobster or seared scallops.
Cordero di Montezemolo 2015 Enrico VI Barolo DOCG
French oak, baked plum, vanilla and roasted coffee bean lead, with a cool menthol note adding lift. Full-bodied and concentrated, the palate brings espresso, liquorice and fleshy black cherry into focus. Taut, close-grained tannins frame the richness, carrying the savoury, oak-shaped profile to a firm, drying finish.
Benanti 2013 Pietra Marina Etna Bianco Superiore 750 mL
Orange blossom and ripe apple rise from an intense, complex nose. The palate is dry and distinctly mineral, with high acidity and saline detail giving the fruit a taut, elegant shape. Long lees ageing contributes depth without softening the wine's volcanic precision. The finish is persistent and savoury, leaving anise, almond, ripe apple and a clear impression of sea-breeze salinity.
Château Léoville Las Cases 2010 Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases Saint-Julien 750 mL
Blackcurrant, blackberry and red cherry lead, lifted by violet and a fresh redcurrant note. Cedar, tobacco, liquorice and dark chocolate add savoury depth. The palate is elegant and medium-bodied, with lively acidity giving the ripe fruit a firm, energetic line. Fine-grained structure keeps the finish precise and composed, carrying kirsch, spice and gentle roasted detail without excess weight.