Wine
Esquimalt Kina-Salal Quinquina 500 mL
Juicy wild salal and blueberry lead into layers of dark berry, floral honey and earthy botanicals. The mead base gives the palate a supple sweetness, while quinine brings a firm, cleansing bitterness and a long, gently spicy finish. Serve well chilled over ice, lengthen with soda, or add a small measure of gin; it makes a distinctive aperitif alongside charcuterie, olives or aged cheese.
Château de Coulaine 2019 Chinon Bonnaventure 750 mL
Very ripe red fruit and spice lead into a round, ample palate. Cabernet Franc brings concentration without losing definition, while pleasant tannins give the wine a composed, gently structured shape. A saline note threads through the fruit and adds savoury contrast to the generous core. The finish remains full and balanced, carrying ripe red fruit, spice and that subtle saline edge with measured persistence.
Rocco di Carpeneto 2019 Losna 750 mL
Black cherry and plum lead a deep, savoury profile, followed by liquorice, tobacco and a dark raisined note edged with cocoa. Dry and medium-to-full bodied, the palate brings firm tannins and energetic acidity to the ripe fruit, keeping the wine structured rather than heavy. Extended maceration and time in older barrels lend depth without obvious sweetness. Pair with braised beef, game, rich pasta or aged hard cheese.
Cave de Lugny 2022 Macon-Lugny La Carte
Citrus, ripe pear and exotic fruit rise first, followed by honey, almond and stone fruit. The palate is elegant and quietly creamy, with crisp acidity and a refined mineral line giving the fruit definition. Round without feeling heavy, it finishes fresh and composed. Serve with roast chicken, shellfish, mild cheeses or creamy vegetable dishes.
Padro & Co Rojo Amargo
A full-bodied red vermouth with fresh orange, tobacco, cinchona bark and honeyed caramel. The palate is round and intense, balancing sweetness with the bitterness of aromatic herbs and the depth gained from barrel ageing. Smooth and persistent through the finish, it is best served well chilled, over ice with citrus, or in a spirit-forward cocktail.
Klinker Brick 2019 Farrah Syrah
A full-bodied California Syrah with blackberry, blueberry and black cherry over smoked meat, cracked pepper and vanilla spice. Plush fruit and polished tannins give the palate a generous shape, while savoury notes keep the style from feeling sweet. The finish is warm and persistent, carrying cocoa, pepper and smoke into a natural pairing with grilled lamb or beef.
Château La Croix Bonnelle 2019 Saint-Émilion
Warm blackberry and red berries sit at the centre, joined by vanilla and gentle baking spice. The palate is full and composed, with ripe dark fruit carried by firm, well-developed tannins. Freshness through the mid-palate keeps the structure balanced, and the finish remains savoury and persistent rather than heavy. Serve with roast beef, lamb shoulder, lentils or aged hard cheese.
Domaine Sainte-Anne 2020 Saint-Gervais Cotes-du-Rhone Villages
Generous but composed, with cherry, strawberry and blackcurrant layered over pepper, thyme and a quiet earthy note. The palate is dry and savoury, bringing dark fruit, fine spice and supple texture into a balanced finish. A short decant will help the blend open; serve with roast lamb, grilled sausages, braised beef, mushrooms or herb-led Provençal dishes.
Domaine de Villalin 2023 Quincy Cuvee Tradition
Lemon and grapefruit lead a bright, aromatic profile, joined by acacia, white flowers and a gentle peppery lift. The palate is smooth and lightly textured, with fresh citrus carrying through a clean, energetic finish. Its balance of fruit and freshness makes it easy at the table. Serve well chilled with oysters, goat cheese, grilled fish or simply prepared green vegetables.
Château Bolaire 2019 Bordeaux Supérieur
Deep garnet-purple, with crushed black and red cherries, warm plum and violet rising from the glass. Cocoa, eucalyptus and peppery spice add savoury definition. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with concentrated dark fruit, ripe grainy tannins and enough freshness to keep the wine composed. A long, spicy finish suits steak, mushrooms or braised beef.
Escaravailles 2022 Les Coteaux Rasteau
Red, blue and black fruits lead, edged by cracked pepper and delicate floral notes. The palate is creamy and supple, with medium-to-full body, ripe concentration and excellent tannins. Freshness keeps the generous fruit beautifully balanced, carrying gentle spice and a savoury mineral touch through the rounded, elegant finish.
d’Arenberg The Nostalgia Rare Tawny NV
Walnut, toasted almond and mature rancio notes open into dried pear, apple and fig, with cinnamon, toffee and marmalade adding warmth. The palate is sweet, concentrated and velvety, balancing caramel richness with seasoned oak and a savoury nutty edge. Long and layered through the finish, it works beautifully with blue cheese or almond desserts.
Joh. Jos. Christoffel 2016 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett
Floral and highly expressive, with honeysuckle, orange blossom and a subtle sassafras note above ripe Persian melon. The palate feels glossy yet buoyant, its sweetness neatly harnessed by vivid lime and clementine. Tingling brightness and mouthwatering salinity drive a remarkably persistent finish, keeping the wine refreshing from start to finish.
Monchhof 2019 Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett
Light-footed yet intensely expressive, with ripe citrus, yellow peach and orchard fruit carried by a fine mineral edge. The palate is vibrant and zesty, balancing gentle sweetness with mouthwatering acidity and a precise, almost weightless texture. Fruit and wet-stone notes linger on the clean finish. Serve lightly chilled with spicy dishes, roast pork or soft cheese.
Beaumont 2013 Pinot Noir Icewine
Lush without losing shape, with ripe strawberry, raspberry and black cherry layered alongside apricot, orange marmalade and honey. The palate is rich and concentrated, while a bright line of acidity keeps the sweetness poised. Hints of caramel, hazelnut and honeysuckle deepen the finish. Serve lightly chilled with berry desserts, soft cheese or dark chocolate truffles.
Mas Gabinele 2021 Carignan
Ruby-red and generously aromatic, with crushed strawberry and Ente plum joined by black pepper and liquorice. The palate has real depth and body without losing its sense of freshness, carrying the ripe red fruit and savoury spice through a long, fragrant finish. Bold enough for grilled foods, yet polished and easy to enjoy.
d’Arenberg 2018 The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier
A fragrant Shiraz-led red with blackberry, plum and black cherry at the core, brightened by a small portion of co-fermented Viognier. Peach and apricot add aromatic lift, while peppery spice and savoury detail give the palate shape. Generous yet harmonious, it balances ripe dark fruit with freshness and fine structure, offering immediate appeal alongside grilled lamb, roast duck or richly seasoned vegetables.
Château Musar 2022 Musar Jeune Rosé
Coquard 2020 Saint-Veran
Fragrant orchard blossom and juicy white peach lead, followed by fresh citrus and a rounded mineral note. The palate is elegant and bright, with enough softness to feel generous and a subtle almond nuance on the finish. Serve lightly chilled with fresh seafood, roast chicken, creamy risotto, soft cheeses or simply prepared vegetables; the balance is polished and quietly expressive.