Selection
Fattoria La Vialla 2013 Casa Conforto Chianti Riserva
Mature and savoury, with wild cherry and blackberry joined by violet, cedar and star anise. The palate is dry and firmly structured, yet the fruit remains clear through the tannic frame. Earthy spice and gentle oak carry into a composed, lingering finish. Decant briefly and serve with roast lamb, grilled beef, mushroom ragù or aged pecorino.
Tiberio 2017 Archivio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOP
Intensely aromatic yet composed, with smoky dark cherry and red cherry layered over spice, violet, rose and licorice. The palate is powerful but elegant, combining smooth texture with vibrant freshness and concentrated fruit. Fine structure gathers through the middle, while the finish remains long, poised and distinctly savoury rather than heavy.
Castell d’Encus 2014 Quest
Peppery and herbal on the nose, with cassis, blackberry and a cool minty lift over restrained oak. The palate is silky and intensely savoury, its dark fruit carried by ultra-fine tannins and a fresh, poised line. Dark spice gathers through the finish, leaving an elegant mountain-grown red with concentration, clarity and remarkable composure.
Jordan Vineyard & Winery 2018 Chardonnay Russian River Valley
Honeysuckle, lemon blossom and Fuji apple lead this light, elegant Chardonnay. Bright citrus runs through the palate, joined by pear, green apple and crushed-rock minerality. Careful barrel ageing brings a subtle hint of oak and gentle creaminess, while fresh, lasting acidity keeps the texture precise and carries the fruit into a clean finish.
Bénédicte & Stéphane Tissot NV Crémant du Jura Rosé
Redcurrant and raspberry rise with rose petals, toast and a gentle almond note. Fine bubbles give the palate an elegant, dry profile, carrying bright red fruit over crisp acidity and a subtle stony mineral edge. The finish is clean and persistent, leaving a restrained floral lift and enough savoury depth to keep the wine composed rather than overtly fruity.
Argyle 2007 Brut Rosé Willamette Valley
Raspberry, ripe pear and wild strawberry lead, with rose petals and a light cinnamon note adding lift. Fine bubbles carry a creamy yet balanced palate, where pomegranate, red currant and gentle mineral detail keep the fruit precise. Dry and lingering through the finish, it pairs well with seafood, poultry, savoury pastries or caviar.
Kidoizumi Afruge No. 1 2018 Junmai Sake
Bright acidity gives this junmai sake a vivid, vinous shape, while a single-stage fermentation builds concentration and character. Six months in a used red-wine barrel introduce red fruit and gentle oak, followed by a further eighteen months of maturation for added depth. The palate feels layered and savoury, moving from tangy freshness toward a rounder close shaped by mature fruit and soft oak tones.
Kidoizumi Afruge No. 2 2018 Junmai Sake
Bright acidity gives this sake a vivid, vinous profile, while extended maturation brings breadth and quiet complexity. Time in a used white-wine barrel adds a measured oak influence without overwhelming the rice character. The palate feels layered and composed, moving from tangy freshness toward a rounder, more mature impression. The finish is persistent and neatly balanced, with acidity and barrel character held in careful proportion.
Elderton 2017 Ode to Lorraine
Black cherry, raspberry and blackcurrant lead the aroma, followed by blackberry and violet. Across the palate, those red and dark fruit notes remain clearly defined, with black tea providing a drier counterpoint. The sequence moves from bright raspberry toward deeper cassis and blackberry. The finish keeps the tea and violet notes in view, leaving fruit and florals closely aligned.
Road 13 2020 5th Element
Lush, macerated dark fruit fills the palate, framed by desert scrub and generous oak. French and American barrels bring broad spice and polish, while firm structure keeps the richness in line. Built from six red varieties, this is muscular and still youthful, with a brooding character that will continue to knit together with time in bottle.
La Frenz 2021 Grand Total Reserve
Concentrated black fruit sits at the centre of this dry, full-bodied red, with tobacco and other savoury notes adding depth. Firm tannins give the palate a youthful, structured feel, so a generous decant is worthwhile if opened now. The finish is persistent and composed rather than heavy. Serve with roast beef, grilled lamb, braised short ribs or mature cheddar.
Artakama 2019 Pinot Noir Magnum
Delicate and floral, with fresh red blossoms woven through a gentle savoury note. The palate is smooth, round and immediately approachable, showing the sappy freshness that gives Pinot Noir its particular energy. Low tannins and bright acidity keep the generous texture light on its feet, with no sense of heat. Serve slightly cool with salmon, roast poultry or mushroom dishes.
Summerhill 2018 Spadefoot Sangiovese
Ripe red cherry and cranberry lead a bright, savoury palate, joined by dried herbs and a gentle earthy note. Lively acidity gives the fruit shape, while firm but well-judged tannins carry subtle spice through a persistent finish. Energetic rather than heavy, it suits tomato-based pasta, grilled vegetables or roast pork.
Jermann 2008 Vino Dolce della Casa Picolit
Ripe peach and dried apricot lead into acacia honey, toasted almond and a gentle woodsy spice. The palate is supple and concentrated, with polished sweetness and enough freshness to keep the texture poised. A savoury nutty edge adds depth to the persistent finish. Serve with almond cake, aged cheese or poached fruit.
Ekho 2023 Aegean Islands Rose
Soft pink and quietly aromatic, led by floral notes rather than overt fruit. Pronounced acidity gives the palate a crisp, taut shape, while subtle spice, lees ageing and partial fermentation in acacia bring texture and complexity without heaviness. Light-bodied, dry and elegant, it finishes clean and restrained. Serve well chilled with shellfish, grilled vegetables, mezze or lightly spiced seafood.
Maestro Dobel Reposado Tequila
Cooked agave forms the centre of the aroma, framed by light fruit, vanilla and almond. A measured oak note adds warmth without overwhelming the spirit’s freshness. The palate is smooth and rounded, with gentle sweetness balanced by subtle spice and a clean agave line. Double distillation gives the texture polish, while the finish remains calm and approachable, carrying vanilla, nut and soft oak.
Zacapa No. 23 Sistema Solera Rum 750 mL
Dried fruit and apricot lead a generous, full-bodied palate, followed by savoury oak and nutmeg. Leather and tobacco add depth, while coffee and vanilla bring a softer counterpoint. Cinnamon and ginger provide a measured spicy lift without disrupting the rum’s richness. The final impression returns to dried fruit, coffee and savoury oak, with vanilla and spice keeping the full-bodied profile clearly defined.
Coloma 8 Year Old Colombian Rum
Creamy almond and roasted coffee shape the aroma, followed by dark chocolate and dry vanilla. The palate combines caramel sweetness with gentle oak, while the coffee-cask influence reinforces the rum’s distinctive coffee-led character. The finish brings roasted coffee, dark chocolate and dry vanilla back into focus, with creamy almond and caramel softening the oak and giving the close a gently sweet line.