Selection
Remoissenet 2016 Santenay Premier Cru Gravieres
A little coconut-toned oak leads into ripe, dark fruit. The palate is structured but still generous, with the fruit carrying through in a savoury, appetising line and the oak sitting as a measured accent. Give it a brief decant and serve with roast duck, pork tenderloin, mushrooms or lentils, letting the wine's darker fruit and firm shape settle together.
Tenuta San Guido 2020 Guidalberto Toscana IGT
Blackcurrant, wild cherry and ripe plum lead, with bay leaf, pressed violet, black olive, cedar and spice adding savoury detail. Medium-full and supple, the palate combines fresh acidity with fine, silky tannins and a polished core of dark fruit. Earth, tobacco and gentle mineral notes shape a taut, balanced finish.
Caves Sao Joao 1987 Frei Joao Bairrada
Deep garnet with a brick-orange rim leads into dried blackcurrant, cherry and plum, layered with cedar, tobacco, leather, graphite, forest floor and dried herbs. Silky, fully integrated tannins meet fresh acidity, carrying savoury plum, cigar box and earthy spice through a long, composed finish. Stand upright for a day before opening, then decant gently and serve slightly cool.
Domaine des Tourelles Arak Brun 5 Year Special Reserve
Anise and liquorice lead a clear, intensely aromatic nose, supported by subtle grape fruit and dry herbal notes. The palate is smooth and concentrated, with five years in clay jars giving the spirit a rounded, settled texture without muting its fresh anise character. A gentle fruitiness emerges through the middle before a long, clean finish. Pour neat, then add ice-cold water to soften the strength and release the aromatic oils.
Domaine Guiberteau 2017 Saumur Rouge Les Arboises Cabernet Franc 750 mL
Straight and energetic, with a savoury core and a smoky bacon note that gives aromatic depth without weighing the wine down. The palate is taut and focused, carried by fresh acidity and a fine, silky tannin line. Its shape is elegant rather than broad, and the fruit remains restrained and precise. A clear saline note takes over on the finish, leaving a clean, persistent close.
Pascal Doquet Champs Libres Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne 750 mL
Crunchy green apple and lemon pith open with a clear oyster-shell minerality. The palate is slender and energetic, its fine mousse carrying bright citrus and cool saline detail. Subtle vanilla biscuit adds roundness through the middle without softening the wine's focus. The finish is dry, clean and persistent, balancing Chardonnay fruit with chalky freshness and a gently savoury edge. A precise, composed style with vivid length.
PUNI Alba Italian Malt Whisky
Malted grain leads with honey, dried fruit and black grape skin, followed by a light thread of smoke. The palate is youthful and energetic, bringing sweet barley, rye spice and tart gooseberry together with buttery oak. Marsala-cask richness gives the fruit breadth, while the peated-cask finish adds restraint. The close is crisp and warming, leaving pepper, singed herbs, citrus and a faint mineral note.
Cartuxa 2022 Pêra-Manca Branco Alentejo DOC
Fresh lemon, orange peel, melon and white peach lead, joined by green herbs and a quiet floral lift. The palate is bright and tangy, with mineral tension and focused acidity balancing rounder notes of apricot and green fig. Refined and layered, it finishes precise, citrus-driven and gently textured rather than overtly rich.
Hououbiden Yuzushu 1.8 L
Fresh yuzu opens with vivid lemon, mandarin and grapefruit tones, followed by the fragrant bitterness of the peel. The palate is concentrated yet refreshing, bringing sweet citrus pulp into balance with a clean sake-derived base. A gentle savoury edge keeps the fruit from feeling heavy. The finish is bright, lightly bitter and persistent. Serve chilled, over ice or lengthened with soda alongside spicy dishes or citrus-led desserts.
Alma Tepec Licor de Chile Pasilla Mixe
Layered dried fruit brings raisin, cranberry, cherry, tamarind, blackberry and plum, followed by cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and clove. Natural cane sweetness rounds the spice without flattening the chile's character, while smoke and a light, lingering heat carry the finish. Sip over ice after dinner, or use a small measure to deepen mezcal, tequila, rum or dark-fruit cocktails. Especially good with dark chocolate, roasted nuts or mole-spiced dishes.
Brancaia Ilatraia 2018 Toscana IGT 750 mL
Dark fruit leads with clarity and depth, framed by savoury spice and a restrained touch of toast. Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure, Petit Verdot adds colour and intensity, and Cabernet Franc brings aromatic lift. The palate is full-bodied yet fresh, with polished tannins and enough acidity to keep the finish defined and elegant. Decant before serving with roast lamb, braised beef or aged pecorino.
Jura Seven Wood Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Coffee, ginger and dark chocolate introduce a layered aroma, followed by baked peach and candied orange. The palate is generous and rounded, bringing crème caramel, sweet liquorice, toffee and cinnamon into balance with toasted oak and earthy spice. Rich fruit carries through the structure, while the finish remains warm, fragrant and composed. Serve neat or with a little water.
Domaine de Joy XO 10 Year Old Bas-Armagnac
Vanilla and white flowers rise first, followed by caramel and polished oak. The palate is soft and balanced, with rounded sweetness framed by gentle wood spice and a supple texture. New Gascon and Limousin oak bring both character and elegance. The finish is long and composed, leaving vanilla, caramel, flowers and a clean echo of oak.
Ferraton Père & Fils 2016 Lieu-Dit Montmain Côte-Rôtie
Caves Sao Joao 1987 Porta dos Cavaleiros Tinto
Complex fruit aromas lead a full-bodied, richly structured palate, with the depth expected of a mature Dão red. Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen and Alfrocheiro form the blend, giving the wine a layered, traditional profile. Handle the bottle gently, stand it upright before opening, and serve with roast lamb, braised beef, mushrooms or firm cheese.
Caves Sao Joao 1996 Dao Porta dos Cavaleiros
Still structured, with red fruit and vanilla set against an integrated tannic frame. The palate is light and mature, yet sound bottles retain good colour, a composed texture and a clean finish. Bottle variation is pronounced, with some examples appearing fresher than their age and others more fragile. Stand upright, open carefully and assess before deciding whether to decant.
Pérez Barquero La Cañada Pedro Ximénez 750 mL
Raisin, fig and dried plum lead a deep, concentrated bouquet, joined by honey, cocoa and toffee. Coffee and polished oak add savoury complexity beneath the fruit. The palate is dense and unctuous, yet a clear line of acidity keeps the sweetness composed. Warm and persistent, it closes with dried fruit, cocoa, nuts and a long, elegant finish.
Serge Mathieu 2009 Brut Millesime
A Pinot Noir-led Champagne with yellow apple, Williams pear and citrus over fine stony notes. The palate has real breadth and structure, but freshness and a precise mineral line keep it elegant. Dry, persistent and lightly grippy on the finish, it is a serious table Champagne for roast poultry, richer seafood or firm, nutty cheese.