Special Origin
Château Léoville-Las Cases 1994 Saint-Julien
Elegant and mature, with blackberry, cassis and ripe fruit set against earth, liquorice, discreet spice, vanilla and oak. Medium-bodied, the palate has refined acidity, balanced silky tannins and a measured, savoury finish that shows a lightly drying edge. Give it about two hours in a decanter and serve with simply roasted beef or 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 Latour 2005 Pauillac
Black currant and black olive anchor a deep, brooding bouquet, layered with cedar, walnut, graphite, bitumen and savoury spice. The palate is muscular and intensely concentrated, its grainy tannins and cedary oak carrying through a firm, mineral and chocolate-toned finish. Still youthful, it rewards patience; if opened now, decant for about three hours and serve with roast leg of lamb.
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.
Château Margaux 1983 Margaux
Dried and fresh flowers rise from a complex bouquet of cassis, blueberry, fig, plum and cherry, with cedar, leather, tobacco and earthy mineral notes underneath. Medium-bodied, silky and sensuous, the palate combines mature richness with fresh acidity and firm, polished structure. Pour carefully from a settled bottle; an hour of air is ample. Excellent with flank steak or roast duck.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1982 Pauillac
Flamboyant and richly aromatic, with black currant, blackberry and cherry liqueur layered with cigar box, tobacco, mint, flowers, smoked meat and spice. The palate is full and concentrated, yet finely balanced, combining fresh acidity with silky tannins and an exceptionally long, harmonious finish. Decant for two to three hours and serve with roast turkey, beef or mushroom dishes.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1999 Pauillac
An elegant, increasingly mature expression with black currant and blackberry layered with smoke, truffle, cocoa, mocha, coffee and warm spice. The medium-bodied palate is smooth and velvety, balancing firm ripe fruit with silky tannins and a long, structured finish touched by a slight dryness. Decant for about three hours and serve with lamb stew, duck or mushrooms.
Château La Fleur-Pétrus 1997 Pomerol
Ripe dark fruit opens with rose, violet and sweet spice, followed by a measured note of oak. The palate is supple and composed, with mature fruit, savoury earth and tertiary complexity held in careful balance. Silky texture brings depth without heaviness, while retained vitality carries the floral, gently spiced finish.
Château Latour 2000 Pauillac
Blackberry, currant and raspberry drive an intense bouquet, with cedar, cigar box, mint, vanilla, smoke and spice unfolding behind. The palate is full-bodied, dense and deeply concentrated, yet balanced by freshness and fine, abundant tannins. The finish is exceptionally long and layered. Allow three to four hours in a decanter and serve with truffled dishes, roast beef or game.
Château Lafite Rothschild 2000 Pauillac
Smoke, cigar wrapper, ripe plum and currant open into cedar, wet earth and warm spice. The palate is rich and full, combining deep concentration with bright red fruit, silky tannins and a measured dusty edge on the long, classic finish. Still poised for further development, it benefits from two to three hours in a decanter before serving with lamb or beef.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1995 Pauillac
Deep and brooding, with cassis, blackberry and black cherry joined by violet, cedar, coffee, dark chocolate, black pepper and incense. The palate is rich and layered, balancing a vibrant core of ripe fruit with velvety tannins and polished oak. Full-bodied yet composed, it builds through a persistent, savoury finish; allow generous air and serve with roast beef or lamb.
Château Mouton Rothschild 2000 Pauillac
Crème de cassis, blackberry and raspberry lead a layered bouquet, with cedar, tobacco, truffle, coffee, vanilla, earth and exotic spice adding complexity. Concentrated and full-bodied, the palate is fresh and focused, with polished tannins, excellent balance and a long, lingering finish. Allow three to four hours in a decanter and serve with beef Wellington, roast lamb or game.
