Selection
Croft 1963 Vintage Port
Dried fig, plum and raisin aromas unfold with spice, dark chocolate, tobacco and leather. Silky and harmonious on the palate, it carries mature dark fruit through lively acidity and fully integrated tannins, with a delicate sweetness rather than heaviness. The finish is long, elegant and warming. Decant carefully and serve with Stilton, walnuts or dark chocolate.
Remoissenet Pere et Fils 1978 Beaune Premier Cru Marconnets
Dark mature ruby introduces smoke, damp earth, charcuterie and limestone, followed by raspberry, violet and blood orange. The palate is rich and full yet still fresh, with bright acidity and a measured tannic frame. Oolong tea, truffle, moss and autumn spice add savoury depth before a silky, gently rounded finish. Bottle variation is expected; stand upright and decant carefully.
Remoissenet 2019 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
Lemon butter and lime curd meet spiced green apple, clove and a faint cedary note. Full-bodied yet precise, the palate combines creamy texture with bright acidity and a long, refined finish. Yellow fruit, herbs and a light smoky savouriness add depth. Serve with grilled scallops, roast poultry or firm cheese.
Yalumba 2017 The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon
Fruitcake, plum cordial and cherry chocolate lead, joined by cola, sweet spice and a measured note of toasted vanilla. The palate remains rich and powerful, with dried fruit and savoury complexity held by firm, oak-shaped tannins. Decant well to let the structure relax, then serve with roast lamb, braised beef, grilled ribeye, mushroom dishes or aged cheddar.
Caves Sao Joao 1966 Frei Joao Reserva Bairrada Magnum
Mature yet lively, opening with cassis, raspberry and dried fig over pine-needle, coffee and toasted-wood notes. The palate is full and structured, with fresh acidity keeping the evolved fruit clear while settled tannins give the texture a composed shape. Earthy and savoury detail builds through the middle. The finish is persistent, carrying dried fruit, coffee, gentle spice and polished woodland complexity.
Ridge Vineyards 2008 Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains
Black cherry and cassis lead a muscular, gradually unfolding profile, with dried mountain laurel, loamy earth and the savoury scent of burning embers adding depth. The palate is broad and structured, its dark fruit held by firm, measured tannins. Earthy complexity lingers through a long, composed and quietly powerful finish.
Burmester 1963 Vintage Port
Raisin, fig and date aromas lead, joined by warm spice and a gentle savoury note as it opens. The palate is sweet, concentrated and richly textured, with enough freshness to keep the mature fruit defined. Its slightly wild character adds interest, while the remarkably persistent finish remains rich and composed. Decant carefully and serve with blue cheese or walnut tart.
Shafer Vineyards 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Blackcurrant, berry fruit, roasted pepper, olive and white chocolate form a ripe, generous profile, with polished oak adding warmth. The palate is soft and plush, its abundant fruit carried by graceful tannins rather than hard edges. Silky texture and savoury detail keep the Cabernet balanced through an open, lingering finish.
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2005 Napa Valley
Deeply coloured, concentrated and layered, with black cherry, cassis, blackberry and currant lifted by dried violet, rose, anise, graphite, cedar and roasted herb. The palate is classically structured, combining vibrant fruit with fresh acidity, polished tannins and a mineral edge. Rich yet balanced, it finishes persistent and mouth-coating; allow generous air and serve with grilled beef or lamb.
OVID 2009 Napa Valley Red Wine
Mulberry and fresh boysenberry lead with roasted chestnut and sandalwood, creating a deep, layered aromatic profile. Rich fruit fills the palate around a precise core of polished tannins, with power balanced by clarity and control. Dense yet seamless, the red blend carries its dark fruit and savoury detail through a long, assured finish.
Martin’s Lane 2016 Dehart Vineyard Pinot Noir (Magnum)
Ripe black cherry leads a rich, full-bodied palate, framed by savoury undertones and a fresh entry. The texture is polished and precise, with refined tannins carrying the wine toward a cool, spicy finish. Generous in scale yet composed in its details, it balances depth and presence with the lift and definition expected from Pinot Noir.
Martin’s Lane 2020 Simes Vineyard Pinot Noir Mg
Klein Constantia 1989 Vin de Constance
Amber and intensely aromatic, unfolding through blood orange, dried persimmon and honeyed apricot. Bitter almond, clove and green tea bring mature complexity, while a spicy Muscat lift keeps the palate vivid. Rich caramel and marzipan tones are balanced by clear acidity, leading to a long, savoury-sweet finish that invites slow, contemplative drinking.
Trimbach 2001 Riesling Clos Sainte Hune
Dry and concentrated, with ripe citrus, yellow orchard fruit and white flowers held by a clear mineral line. The palate is taut yet generous, carrying finely layered fruit through bright, measured acidity. Subtle honeyed and stony notes develop with air, while the finish remains exceptionally long, precise and composed, showing the depth of a mature Riesling without losing freshness.
Henschke 2001 Mount Edelstone Shiraz
Mulberry, blackcurrant and plum rise with sage, rosemary and black pepper, followed by tobacco leaf, anise and gently developed oak. The palate remains rich and concentrated, with savoury herbal detail, fine acidity and long, silky tannins. Mature yet composed, it closes with spice, depth and remarkable persistence.
Hennessy X.O Cognac 1L
Deep amber and richly aromatic, with candied fruit, orange peel and cocoa opening over warm oak. The palate is broad and silky, moving through dried fig, cinnamon and black pepper with a measured sweetness at its centre. Layers of fruit and spice remain composed rather than heavy. The finish is long and warming, carrying dark chocolate, polished wood and a final echo of orange.
Port Charlotte PC8 Ar Duthchas 8 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Dense peat smoke leads from the first aroma through the palate, joined by tart citrus, black coffee and a rich buttery texture. Pronounced sweetness keeps the smoke from becoming severe, while cracked pepper and a savoury, lightly medicinal edge add definition. The finish is long, warming and mouth-coating, with peat, citrus and dark roast lingering in firm balance.
Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Series No. 6 Tennessee Whiskey
Mellow and rounded, opening with caramel, vanilla and toasted oak over a gentle thread of ripe fruit. The palate is smooth but not flat, bringing brown sugar and light baking spice through the centre with a measured charcoal note underneath. The finish is clean and warming, tapering through sweet oak, soft spice and a final touch of vanilla rather than overt heat.
Domaine A.F. Gros 2009 Vosne-Romanée Clos de la Fontaine Monopole 750 mL
Ripe strawberry and cherry lead a graceful, gently savoury profile. The palate is supple and rounded, with soft acidity and enough structure to keep the fruit composed. There is an appealing maturity to the texture, yet the wine remains clear and elegant rather than heavy. Subtle earth and fine spice emerge with air, carrying the red fruit through a smooth, measured finish.
Warre’s 1977 Vintage Port 1.5 L
Vibrant red fruit and dried raisin lead, with mature mineral tones and a deep, savoury core. The palate is powerful and intense, carried by firm grip and a well-defined backbone rather than simple sweetness. Dark fruit concentration gives the wine breadth while its mineral character keeps the texture focused. The finish is long, structured and composed, retaining depth, energy and the restrained authority of mature vintage Port.