Wine
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.
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.
Château Langoa Barton 2019 Saint-Julien
Dense and layered, with blackberry and other dark berries framed by mild spice, liquorice and discreet toasted notes. The palate is sappy and well structured, combining crisp fruit with ripe, firm tannins, a silky core and convincing length. Balanced but still youthful, it benefits from about two hours in a decanter before serving with beef or lamb.
Bénédicte & Stéphane Tissot NV Crémant du Jura Magnum
Baked apple and tangy yellow fruit open with hints of fennel, ginger and fresh herbs. Crisp acidity gives the palate lift, while fine bubbles carry a broad, juicy orchard-fruit core. A light savoury edge and clean mineral tone add definition, leading to a dry, persistent finish that feels energetic, textured and quietly complex.
Guigal 2014 Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde
Cherry and raspberry rise with cedar, cracked pepper and wild herbs. The palate is light on its feet yet structured, carrying red berry fruit through fine, spicy tannins and a smooth, even texture. A savoury herbal note gives the middle quiet complexity without weighing it down. The finish is fragrant and persistent, leaving pepper, red fruit, subtle wood and a gentle earthy echo.
Palmer Rose Solera NV
A pale copper rosé Champagne with gingerbread, spiced apple and pink grapefruit, joined by truffle and a light saline note. The palate is tight, focused and spicy, with salty undertones and very fine bubbles giving the fruit precision. Complex but controlled through the finish, it is an excellent aperitif and a fine match for smoked salmon or charcuterie.
Oddero 2020 Barolo 750 mL
Dried red fruit leads with a distinctive herbal note and lively pepper spice. Darker fruit follows on the palate, moving into tar, earth and savoury depth. Firm, youthful tannins give the wine a precise frame, while lifted acidity keeps the profile energetic and carries the finish. Decant before serving with braised beef, roast lamb or mushroom dishes.
Domaine Étienne Sauzet 2022 Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Jardin du Calvaire 750 mL
A light matchstick reduction opens toward toasted sesame, cool citrus, apple blossom and restrained stone fruit. The palate is dry and neatly structured, with lively acidity bringing clarity to a gently rounded texture. Mineral notes remain at the centre rather than oak, giving the wine a clean, composed line. With air, the fruit becomes more expressive and the finish settles into chalk, citrus peel and subtle savoury detail.
Benjamin Laroche La Manufacture 2018 Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot 750 mL
Ripe citrus, white peach and white flowers open over crushed chalk and a restrained oyster-shell note. The palate is generous and rounded, reflecting a warm vintage, yet vibrant acidity keeps the fruit precise. A stony, saline line brings definition through the centre, while the texture remains polished and ample. The finish is long, dry and mineral, with citrus and chalk lingering cleanly.
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona 2005 Brunello di Montalcino Limited Edition Sponsorship Label Giro d’Italia 2010 750 mL
Wild berries, cassis and white cherry lead the fruit profile, accompanied by spice and smoke. The nose is vertical and intense, while the palate is toned down in dimension. Sangiovese provides the varietal basis and Tuscany the regional context. Berry fruit, spice and smoke remain the focus, with an intense aromatic profile followed by a smaller-scaled palate.
Jane Eyre 2020 Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Aux Vergelesses
Bright ruby in colour, opening with pure violet, fresh red cherry and a quiet touch of forest floor. The palate is graceful and mid-weight, with supple tannins, lively tension and subtle whole-bunch spice. Silky texture and poised acidity keep the fruit precise before a clean, persistent finish of violet and fine mineral detail.
Domaine de l’Enclos 2023 Chablis Premier Cru La Fourchaume
Ripe orchard fruit opens with an inviting sense of richness. Full and softly enveloping on the palate, it carries its fruit with measured weight while a clear mineral line keeps the profile composed. The texture is generous without becoming heavy, and the flavours linger through a persistent, harmonious finish. A poised match for scallops, lobster, roast poultry or creamy mushroom dishes.
Barons de Rothschild NV Brut Kosher Champagne
Bright and polished, with citrus peel, pear and golden apple layered with white flowers, fresh bread and a gentle roasted-nut note. The palate is creamy yet lively, its fine bubbles carrying nectarine and subtle toast through a balanced, persistent finish. Serve well chilled with canapés, shellfish, roast chicken or mild, nutty cheeses.
Vouette et Sorbée NV Fidèle Brut Nature Champagne
Deep gold with a faint copper cast, opening on red cherry, wild strawberry, baked apple and citrus peel. Brioche and toasted nuts add depth before a powerful, vinous palate takes over, shaped by tart red fruit, chalky earth and lively acidity. Bone-dry and savoury, it finishes long, clean and mineral, with fruit and structure in equal measure.
Pol Roger 2015 Brut Vintage Champagne
Apple jelly, dried flowers and rose petals open with a restrained touch of honey. The palate is round and elegant, balancing ripe fruit with flint, wet stone and a lively citrus edge. Brioche and gentle spice emerge through the focused, saline finish, bringing freshness and polish to the generous texture.
Telmo Rodriguez 2017 La Estrada Rioja 750 mL
Dark cherry and dried red fruit meet potpourri, leather and a quiet earthy note. The palate is ripe yet fresh, with red and dark fruit framed by dusty tannins, subtle spice and restrained vanilla. A faint rustic character gives the wine texture and individuality, while the finish remains long and composed. Decant before serving with roast lamb, grilled pork, braised beef, mushrooms or aged Manchego.
Domaine Bessin-Tremblay 2023 Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume
Lemon peel, grapefruit and lime zest lead with yellow apple, pear and white flowers. The palate has concentrated fruit wrapped in a smooth, finely textured middle, while bright acidity keeps the wine precise. An iodised, saline character adds savoury definition. The finish is persistent and mineral, leaving citrus, subtle hazelnut, gentle spice and a cool stony edge.
Duckhorn 2007 Three Palms Vineyard Merlot Napa
Red and black cherry meet blackberry, liquorice, mineral tones and warm spice. Soft and smooth at first, the palate develops a dusty tannic frame that gives the succulent fruit shape and persistence. Rich without losing definition, it closes with layered dark fruit and savoury mineral detail. Serve with lamb, duck or mushroom dishes.