Wine
Giovanni Rosso 2015 Barolo Serra 750 mL
Sour cherry, pomegranate and dark plum meet rose petal, balsamic, leather and a hint of menthol. The palate is bright and concentrated, with fresh acidity carrying the red fruit through a firm but refined structure. Fine, porcelain-like tannins add grip, while star anise, cinnamon and a quiet meaty note deepen the savoury side. The finish is long, mineral and persistent, with cherry and balsam returning.
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves 2016 L’Echelier Blanc Saumur Chenin 750 mL
Lemon and grapefruit open with white peach, delicate florals and a touch of honeysuckle. The palate is straight and energetic, combining tangy fruit with notable aromatic depth and a clean, focused texture. Citrus freshness keeps the wine lifted while the fruit gains quiet concentration through the middle. The finish is rich yet precise, lingering on white peach, lemon, flowers and fine mineral detail.
Franz Haas 2022 Schweizer Pinot Nero Alto Adige 750 mL
Ripe cherry and wild berry notes open with pepper, leather and a cool savoury edge. The palate is elegant and finely structured, combining silky tannins with vivid red fruit and a harmonious, supple texture. Subtle spice adds depth through the middle without overt weight. The finish is long and composed, returning to cherry, berry fruit and gentle earthy detail with freshness and measured intensity.
Prats & Symington 2016 Chryseia Douro 750 mL
Ripe blackcurrant, red plum and raspberry lead, layered with violet, dark chocolate, licorice and Earl Grey tea. The palate is full-bodied and polished, balancing generous dark fruit with lively acidity and fine-grained, velvety tannins. Pepper, graphite and earthy spice bring definition through the middle. The finish is long and fresh, carrying mocha, floral detail and measured structure.
Avennia 2016 Arnaut Boushey Vineyard Syrah 750 mL
Dark blackberry and blueberry open with grilled meat, crushed olive, black licorice, camphor and pen ink. Full-bodied and deeply concentrated, the palate remains balanced by bright acidity and sweet, fine tannins. Cracked black pepper, pan drippings, orange essence and hand-rubbed sage add savoury complexity. The finish is exceptionally long and nuanced, lingering on saline mineral notes, spice and dark fruit.
Fleury Cuvée 30 Ans de Biodynamie Extra Brut Champagne
Ripe orchard fruit and peach open with a gently oxidative, oak-shaped depth. The palate is full yet finely drawn, balancing mature fruit with chalky tension and a dry, energetic line. Extended lees ageing adds texture without blunting freshness, while the blend’s three varieties contribute breadth and lift. The finish is long, pure and savoury, leaving citrus, stone fruit and a quiet mineral impression.
Remoissenet 2016 Santenay Premier Cru Gravieres
A little coconut-toned oak leads into ripe, dark fruit. The palate is structured but still generous, with the fruit carrying through in a savoury, appetising line and the oak sitting as a measured accent. Give it a brief decant and serve with roast duck, pork tenderloin, mushrooms or lentils, letting the wine's darker fruit and firm shape settle together.
Tenuta San Guido 2020 Guidalberto Toscana IGT
Blackcurrant, wild cherry and ripe plum lead, with bay leaf, pressed violet, black olive, cedar and spice adding savoury detail. Medium-full and supple, the palate combines fresh acidity with fine, silky tannins and a polished core of dark fruit. Earth, tobacco and gentle mineral notes shape a taut, balanced finish.
Caves Sao Joao 1987 Frei Joao Bairrada
Deep garnet with a brick-orange rim leads into dried blackcurrant, cherry and plum, layered with cedar, tobacco, leather, graphite, forest floor and dried herbs. Silky, fully integrated tannins meet fresh acidity, carrying savoury plum, cigar box and earthy spice through a long, composed finish. Stand upright for a day before opening, then decant gently and serve slightly cool.
Domaine Guiberteau 2017 Saumur Rouge Les Arboises Cabernet Franc 750 mL
Straight and energetic, with a savoury core and a smoky bacon note that gives aromatic depth without weighing the wine down. The palate is taut and focused, carried by fresh acidity and a fine, silky tannin line. Its shape is elegant rather than broad, and the fruit remains restrained and precise. A clear saline note takes over on the finish, leaving a clean, persistent close.
Pascal Doquet Champs Libres Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne 750 mL
Crunchy green apple and lemon pith open with a clear oyster-shell minerality. The palate is slender and energetic, its fine mousse carrying bright citrus and cool saline detail. Subtle vanilla biscuit adds roundness through the middle without softening the wine's focus. The finish is dry, clean and persistent, balancing Chardonnay fruit with chalky freshness and a gently savoury edge. A precise, composed style with vivid length.
Cartuxa 2022 Pêra-Manca Branco Alentejo DOC
Fresh lemon, orange peel, melon and white peach lead, joined by green herbs and a quiet floral lift. The palate is bright and tangy, with mineral tension and focused acidity balancing rounder notes of apricot and green fig. Refined and layered, it finishes precise, citrus-driven and gently textured rather than overtly rich.
Brancaia Ilatraia 2018 Toscana IGT 750 mL
Dark fruit leads with clarity and depth, framed by savoury spice and a restrained touch of toast. Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure, Petit Verdot adds colour and intensity, and Cabernet Franc brings aromatic lift. The palate is full-bodied yet fresh, with polished tannins and enough acidity to keep the finish defined and elegant. Decant before serving with roast lamb, braised beef or aged pecorino.
Ferraton Père & Fils 2016 Lieu-Dit Montmain Côte-Rôtie
Caves Sao Joao 1987 Porta dos Cavaleiros Tinto
Complex fruit aromas lead a full-bodied, richly structured palate, with the depth expected of a mature Dão red. Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen and Alfrocheiro form the blend, giving the wine a layered, traditional profile. Handle the bottle gently, stand it upright before opening, and serve with roast lamb, braised beef, mushrooms or firm cheese.
Caves Sao Joao 1996 Dao Porta dos Cavaleiros
Still structured, with red fruit and vanilla set against an integrated tannic frame. The palate is light and mature, yet sound bottles retain good colour, a composed texture and a clean finish. Bottle variation is pronounced, with some examples appearing fresher than their age and others more fragile. Stand upright, open carefully and assess before deciding whether to decant.
Serge Mathieu 2009 Brut Millesime
A Pinot Noir-led Champagne with yellow apple, Williams pear and citrus over fine stony notes. The palate has real breadth and structure, but freshness and a precise mineral line keep it elegant. Dry, persistent and lightly grippy on the finish, it is a serious table Champagne for roast poultry, richer seafood or firm, nutty cheese.
Caves Sao Joao 1985 Dao Porta dos Cavaleiros
Mature dark cherry and red berry sit beneath tobacco, pencil lead, graphite and dark chocolate, with damp earth, mushroom and leather adding further savoury depth. Medium acidity and resolved tannins give the palate a gentle, evolved shape, while hints of mint, dried flowers and cured meat carry the finish. Bottle variation is expected; stand upright and decant carefully around sediment.