Wine
Blackbird Vineyards 2006 Illustration Proprietary Red Oak Knoll District
Black cherry leads with toffee, cocoa powder, iris and subtle leather. The palate is full-bodied and focused, bringing brambly berries, roasted meat, blackcurrant, coffee and tobacco into a rich, concentrated core. Persistent acidity keeps the texture composed, while sweet, velvety tannins carry the layered fruit and savoury detail through a long finish.
Duckhorn 2005 Merlot Napa
Blackcurrant and ripe cherry lead a full, richly layered palate, joined by dark chocolate, violet and liquorice. Smoky oak adds depth without obscuring the fruit, while dense, intricate tannins provide definition and length. Generous yet composed, it finishes with lingering dark berry and cocoa tones. Pair with lamb, roast beef or mushroom dishes.
Daumas Gassac 2021 Mas Languedoc
Max Ferd. Richter 2016 Veldenzer Elisenberg Riesling Spätlese Magnum
Golden pear and apricot lead into a generous sweep of tropical fruit. The sweetness is fully integrated, giving the palate richness without heaviness, while lively acidity keeps the wine fresh and balanced. Silky in texture and graceful in movement, it closes with clean fruit, gentle lift and a composed, lingering finish.
Remoissenet Pere & Fils 2019 Beaune Montagne Saint-Desire
White flowers and lemon zest lead into a clean line of crushed-stone minerality. The palate is concentrated yet finely drawn, with a silky texture and enough freshness to keep the shape precise. Subtle savoury notes gather through a long, composed finish. Serve cool rather than cold with shellfish, roast poultry, creamy sauces or firm white fish.
Quinta do Vale D. Maria 2000 Vintage Port
Deep purple-red in colour, with concentrated aromas of ripe raspberry and black cherry. The palate is powerful yet composed, bringing dense mature fruit over ripe, finely textured tannins. Freshness keeps the sweetness balanced, while the fruit remains clear through a very long finish. Stand upright, decant carefully and serve with Stilton, walnuts or dark chocolate.
Château La Tour Carnet 2010 Haut-Médoc
Blackcurrant and blueberry lead with licorice, camphor and toast, followed by blackberry, raspberry coulis and ripe fig. The palate is medium to full-bodied, its generous fruit shaped by polished tannins, fresh acidity and clear definition. Graphite and dark berry detail carry the focused, impressively long finish.
Château Lassègue 2018 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Ripe black plum, boysenberry and black cherry lead, joined by violet, cocoa and a savoury trace of earth. The palate is dense yet polished, with generous dark fruit carried by supple, rounded tannins. Freshness keeps the richness composed, while spice, tobacco and mineral detail gather through the long, velvety finish.
Champagne P. Lancelot-Royer 2013 Grand Cru Millésimé Blanc de Blancs Brut
Toasted apple, honeysuckle and white flowers rise over warm brioche. The palate is smooth and mature, with generous orchard fruit held taut by vivid tension and clean mineral cut. Extended lees ageing brings depth without dulling the energy, carrying the fine mousse into a long, silky and composed finish.
Champagne Chavost NV Blanc d’Assemblage Brut Nature
Green apple, ripe pear and citrus zest lead, followed by red fruit, almond and a quiet brioche note. The palate is dry yet generous, with creamy texture, firm vinous structure and fine, persistent bubbles. Mineral freshness keeps the wine balanced, while a softly savoury, buttery nuance carries the long, composed finish.
De Stefani 2011 Stèfen 1624 Refrontolo Colli di Conegliano DOCG
Dried fruit and raisin lead the nose, joined by blackberry, cherry preserve and cedar. The palate is full and juicy, with chocolate and tobacco bringing savoury depth. Ripe tannins shape the generous texture while balanced freshness keeps the richness composed, carrying dark fruit and warm spice through a persistent finish.
Podere Le Ripi 2019 Cielo d’Ulisse Brunello di Montalcino
Violet, ripe plum and exotic spice rise first, followed by fresh leather and a quiet truffle note. Full-bodied and enveloping, the palate brings ripe black cherry and raspberry compote together with licorice, blood orange and tobacco. Fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity give the wine balance, while a salty mineral note lingers on the close. Serve with roast lamb, wild mushrooms or braised beef.
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.
Ilaria 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Dark chocolate leads a smoky, supple profile, with ripe raspberry and blackberry bringing freshness to the richer fruit. A small portion of Petit Verdot adds depth and structure without obscuring the Cabernet core. Soft in texture yet lengthy and composed, the palate closes with lingering dark fruit, cocoa and a gentle savoury warmth.
S.A. Prum 2015 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese Magnum
Deep lemon in colour, with honey, hazelnut and green apple opening into nectarine, blood orange, lychee and apricot. The palate is full and sweet but kept lively by bright acidity and slate-like minerality. Subtle petrol notes add mature complexity, while lime and honey carry the long finish. Serve cool with seared tuna, spicy seafood, blue cheese or fruit-based desserts.
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona 2007 Pianrosso Brunello di Montalcino 750 mL
Ripe cherry, strawberry and plum lead the documented fruit profile, with violet, orange rind and spice adding lift. Earth, mineral, tar, leather and cedar bring savoury depth. The palate is fresh and framed by firm tannins, while the finish carries strong length. The result is a structured, mature Brunello whose fruit remains clear against its earthy and mineral detail.
Mas de Daumas Gassac 2022 Blanc 750 mL
Complex stone fruit and citrus open with floral lift and a clear mineral line. The palate is creamy yet fresh, combining peach, apricot and orchard fruit with restrained richness and focused acidity. Gentle honeyed and candied-fruit tones emerge through the middle without overwhelming the wine's energy. The finish is persistent and layered, returning to ripe fruit, mineral detail and a polished savoury edge.
Domaine Pattes Loup 2018 Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons Chardonnay 750 mL
Crisp green orchard fruit opens with white flowers, orange oil and a subtle almond-paste richness. The palate is satiny yet incisive, balancing ample fruit with a firm line of freshness. Chalky extract brings definition through the middle, keeping the texture precise rather than broad. The finish is long and distinctly saline, with citrus, orchard fruit and mineral detail lingering in balance.