Wine
Château Godeau 2009 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Roasted black cherry, ripe plum and black raspberry lead, layered with liquorice, chocolate, sweet earth and light cedar. The palate is full and fleshy, with dark fruit carried by polished, silky tannins and fresh acidity. Savoury depth keeps the richness composed through a long, elegant and persistent finish.
Château de Beaucastel 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
Ripe red cherry and black cherry open with cassis, liquorice and layered exotic spice. Full-bodied and richly textured, the palate carries generous fruit without feeling heavy, supported by powerful but measured tannins. Earthy herbs and a cola-like savoury note emerge toward the long, warming finish. Decant for lamb, beef or game.
Dow’s 2016 Vintage Port
Black cherry and cassis form a deep, concentrated core, lifted by clove, violet and blood orange. Smoke, tobacco, fig and molasses add savoury complexity as the wine opens. Firm, fine tannins and a bright line of acidity keep the full palate focused and fresh, carrying the dark fruit into a long, driven finish. Best decanted and served with blue cheese.
Smith Woodhouse 1985 Vintage Port
Violet, black cherry and dark chocolate lead a rich, mature bouquet, with Christmas spice and a light leathery note adding detail. The palate is full and intense, bringing raspberry, cassis and caramelized sugar over round, fine-grained tannins. Firm grip keeps the sweetness balanced through a long, spicy finish. Decant carefully and serve with blue cheese or dark chocolate.
Remoissenet Père et Fils 2019 Volnay 1Er Cru
Bright ruby Pinot Noir with violet, cherry and gooseberry, developing spice, cooked prune and savoury game notes with age. The palate opens fresh and fruit-driven, then builds toward a warm, velvety finish with graceful aromatic intensity. An expressive Burgundy for roast poultry, braised game, couscous, tagine or characterful cheese.
Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta 2019 Brunello di Montalcino
Morello cherry and plum open with floral lift, chocolate and sandalwood. The palate is full but polished, with soft, refined tannins and mouthwatering acidity keeping the ripe fruit in balance. Savoury notes of salty liquorice shape the long finish, giving the wine both richness and precision. Decanting will let its layered perfume and structure unfold.
Paolo Scavino 2015 Bric del Fiasc Barolo DOCG
Woodland berries, wild herbs and rose lead, with eucalyptus and roasted coffee adding savoury depth. The palate is linear and full-bodied, bringing dried cherry, liquorice and a distinctly salty mineral note into focus. Firm, close-grained tannins carry the wine toward a tight, dry and concentrated finish.
Silver Oak 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley
Chocolate and graphite lead, with cassis and blackberry adding a quieter dark-fruit core. The palate is smooth and composed, layering blackcurrant, raspberry and orange zest with nuanced vanilla, cocoa and a gentle savoury edge. Fine tannins keep the Cabernet measured as the fruit and oak detail settle into a lingering finish.
Champagne Jacquesson NV Cuvée 739 Extra Brut
Ripe white fruit, green apple and lemon open with bread, beeswax and gentle spice. The palate is fresh and clean, its sharp acidity balanced by a creamy texture and fine, persistent mousse. Brioche, nuttiness and a subtle oxidative note add complexity before the long, elegant and quietly toasty finish.
Georges Glantenay 2018 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots
Broad and inviting on the nose, with layered red fruit and a subtle mineral undertone. The palate is rounded yet finely structured, combining generous fruit with a cool, steely line and mouth-watering freshness. Firm but polished tannins frame the wine, leading to a powerful, composed finish without hard edges.
August Kesseler 2013 Cuvée Max Spätburgunder Trocken 750 mL
Fine redcurrant opens over sous-bois, autumn leaf and a quiet savoury edge. The palate is concentrated and firmly structured, with mature tannins and a taut line of acidity giving the fruit definition. Earthy woodland notes deepen through the middle, while the finish remains dry, persistent and composed rather than heavy. Decant carefully to soften the structure; serve with duck, roast veal, mushroom dishes or aged alpine cheese.
Domaine Billaud-Simon 2013 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos Chardonnay 750 mL
Mineral and honeyed notes lead into citrus and white stone fruit, with a restrained floral lift. The palate is broad, round and powerful, yet its weight is held in fine balance by clear freshness and a precise mineral line. The texture remains composed through the middle. The finish fades slowly and persists on citrus, pale fruit and a discreet savoury note.
Pio Cesare Barolo Chinato NV 750 mL
Aromatic mountain herbs lead with cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and bright orange zest. The palate is rich and layered, balancing measured sweetness with quinine bitterness and the firm structure of its Barolo base. Molasses and cardamom add depth without overwhelming the herbal lift. The finish is long and warming, lingering on citrus, spice and a clean bittersweet edge.
Pio Cesare 2010 Barbaresco DOCG 750 mL
Violet, strawberry, raspberry and wild cherry rise with cedar, tar, licorice and balsamic herbs. Elegant yet intense, the palate has ample depth, juicy fruit and bright acidity framed by ripe, firm tannins. Vanilla, cinnamon, mocha and forest-floor notes build through the middle. The finish is long and polished, carrying cherry, licorice and fine savoury detail.
Château de Fargues 2003 Sauternes 750 mL
Deep gold with amber highlights introduces very ripe yellow fruit, candied apricot, roasted peach and mango. Honey, light caramel, vanilla and sweet spice add further aromatic detail. The palate is full and enveloping, with pronounced sweetness carried by structure. Candied fruit, honey, marzipan and spice continue into a long, warm and persistent finish, preserving the richness of the documented profile.
Billaud-Simon 2020 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros
Intense mineral notes meet candied fruit on the nose, leading into a rich, unctuous palate with a measured gingerbread warmth. The structure balances firmness and roundness, while a saline line keeps the finish elegant and precise. Serve with oysters, grilled fish, scallops or poultry in a light cream sauce, allowing a little air before pouring.
Frias 2014 Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Blueberry, blackberry and cassis lead, joined by crushed violet, licorice and a graphite-like mineral note. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated, with supple tannins carrying the dark fruit through a long, composed finish. Savoury herbs and measured oak add depth without crowding the fruit. Decant before serving with roast beef or lamb.
Fleury NV Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne Magnum
White peach, ripe apple and black cherry rise over brioche, almond and preserved lemon. The palate is creamy and rich yet mouthwateringly dry, with fine persistent bubbles and a chalky, lightly saline line. Delicate fruit and rounded Pinot Noir depth are held in elegant balance by brisk acidity, finishing clean and exceptionally long.
