Bordeaux
Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2003 Pauillac
Rich and opulent, opening with intense blackcurrant, ripe dark plum and cassis before cedar, tobacco leaf, vanilla and warm spice emerge. Full-bodied and concentrated, the palate carries generous fruit on polished tannins with enough freshness to keep the texture poised. A subtle floral lift brightens the long, savoury finish. Decant and serve with roast lamb or beef.
Chateau Haut-Brion 1999 Pessac-Leognan
Deep red in colour, opening with red and black berries, mulberry and cherry, joined by woody vanilla, light caramel and liquorice. The palate is soft, harmonious and beautifully proportioned, with concentrated fruit and finely integrated structure. Gentle sweetness and poised freshness carry the balanced, persistent finish with exceptional charm.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1998 Pauillac
Powerful and still youthful, with crème de cassis and dark fruit layered with pencil lead, roasted espresso, tobacco, smoke, saddle leather and Indian spice. Full-bodied and concentrated, the palate combines depth with fresh structure, fine tannins and a long savoury drive. Decant for about ninety minutes and serve with roast beef, lamb or venison.
Château Montrose 2006 Saint-Estephe
Dense and still tightly wound, with red berries, currant and morello cherry set against cedar, graphite, tobacco and dark mineral notes. The palate is concentrated and firm, carrying substantial extract and tannin with a measured sweetness of fruit on the finish. Decant generously to reveal its savoury detail, then serve with braised beef, venison or roast lamb.
Chateau Pavie 2000 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Ripe black cherry and salty plum lead, layered with crushed rock, dried flowers, tobacco leaf, smoke, cocoa and liquorice. The palate is full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with abundant dark fruit carried by a stony mineral line. Long and powerful yet composed, it finishes with savoury freshness and remarkable persistence.
Pétrus 2000 Pomerol
Deeply concentrated and complex, with blackberry, wild strawberry and plum layered with cedar, pencil box, mocha, cocoa, vanilla, liquorice and earthy truffle. The palate is rich and seamless, combining sweet tannins with a dense, silky texture and a long, savoury finish. Decant for about three hours and serve with roast leg of lamb or slow-braised beef.
Château Lafite Rothschild 2003 Pauillac
Generous and expressive, with ripe red berries, cassis and roasted dark fruit layered with cedar, herbs, tobacco leaf, truffle and spice. The palate is full and concentrated, combining silky polish with opulent richness and a long, harmonious finish. Bottle variation is possible, so stand upright and decant carefully, tasting as it opens. Excellent with roast beef or game.
Château Haut-Marbuzet 1986 Saint-Estèphe
Cassis and spicy berry fruit open with smoke, cedar, tobacco and espresso, followed by earthy and savoury tones. The palate is full-bodied and supple, its mature fruit layered with vanilla, dark chocolate and sweet toast. Structured tannins remain composed, carrying the wine into a long, gently meaty finish.
Château Montrose 2000 Saint-Estèphe
Blueberry, black cherry and cassis lead with crushed rock, tobacco and a restrained floral lift. The palate is rich, powerful and full, with firm tannins framing dense dark fruit. Liquorice, graphite and savoury spice build through the long finish, which remains precise, youthful and impressively composed.
Château Latour 1990 Pauillac
Open and expressive for a mature first growth, with red currant, cassis and black cherry joined by liquorice, tobacco, leather and cedar. The full-bodied palate is lush and concentrated, its ripe tannins carrying savoury earth, herbs, espresso and kirsch through a powerful, spicy finish. Decant for about two hours and serve at cellar temperature with lamb, beef or game.
Château Margaux 1995 Margaux
Restrained and sophisticated, with blackcurrant and black olive framed by roasted coffee, cedar, toast and a mineral lift. The medium-bodied palate shows real density without heaviness, combining concentrated ripe fruit with aristocratic acidity, firm tannins and finely integrated oak. Long, dry and precise on the finish, it rewards a two-hour decant and pairs beautifully with roast lamb.
Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2005 Pessac-Léognan
Sweet blackberry, cassis and spring flowers open over crushed rock and earthy mineral notes. Full-bodied and richly layered, the palate combines warm dark fruit with velvety yet firm tannins and an energetic backbone. Tobacco, cedar and savoury spice add depth before the exceptionally long, textured and precise finish.
Château Lafite Rothschild 2005 Pauillac
Youthful and classically structured, with pure red fruit, cassis and flowers layered with lead pencil, cigar box, thyme and a saline mineral note. The palate is full-bodied, bright and firm, combining chewy tannins with impressive freshness and length. Best held for further development; if opened now, give it four to six hours in a decanter and serve with roast beef or lamb.
Château Mouton Rothschild 2004 Pauillac
Black fruit and cassis sit beneath baked spice, smoke, earth and a distinctive saline note. Medium-bodied and cohesive, the palate has measured grip, a slightly chewy texture and a correct, savoury finish rather than overt richness. Bottle variation is significant, so provenance matters; stand upright and decant carefully for about two hours before serving with beef or lentils.
Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2001 Pauillac
Deeply coloured and composed, with bilberry and blackcurrant layered over cigar box, smoke, autumn leaves and supple leather. The palate is concentrated and richly textured, yet held in balance by fresh acidity and finely structured tannins. Graphite and smoked tobacco carry through the long, savoury finish. Decant gently and serve with roast beef or lamb.
Château Latour 1998 Pauillac
Black currant and morello cherry sit beneath tobacco, black tea, earth, smoke and a gamey savoury note. Medium-bodied and tightly structured, the palate combines fresh acidity with substantial tannins, finishing elegant, long and spicy. Give it about two hours in a decanter to soften the frame, then serve with roasted meat, duck or lentils with mushrooms.
Angelus 1997
Sweet blackberry, black-cherry liqueur and prune open into truffle, Provençal olive and gently smoky oak. The palate is rich and broad, yet soft and supple, with moderate tannins supporting the dark fruit. Savoury depth carries through a warm, composed finish. Decant carefully and serve with roast lamb, beef or mushrooms.
Château La Mission Haut-Brion 1997 Pessac-Léognan
A mature, leafy bouquet brings hickory, clove and freshly picked mint over red berry fruit. The medium-bodied palate is piquant and fully evolved, adding tobacco, peppercorn and cracked black pepper to its savoury core. Fine structure and lingering spice keep the engaging finish poised, with depth but no excess weight.
Château Latour 1995 Pauillac
Black currant, blackberry and black olive lead a mature, generous bouquet, with liquorice, pepper, smoke and cigar box adding depth. Full-bodied yet refined, the palate is concentrated and savoury, balancing fresh acidity with supple tannins and a long mineral finish. A three-hour decant suits its sturdy structure. Serve with saddle of lamb, roast beef or braised short ribs.
Château Haut-Brion 1994 Pessac-Leognan
Deep plum-ruby in colour, with black cherry and currant layered over truffle, earth, dried herbs, licorice and a smoky spice-box note. Medium-bodied, the palate is supple and harmonious, combining a plump, gently chewy texture with fresh lift and fine, still-present tannins. Savoury complexity carries through the long finish; decant before serving with beef or lamb.