Selection
Graham’s Vintage Port 1985
Deep at the core with a fine tawny rim, offering ripe plum, dark berries, fig and baking spice over a subtle nutty undertone. Full-bodied and concentrated, the palate is remarkably soft, with integrated spirit, mellow tannins and enough freshness to hold the sweetness in balance. Persistent and composed on the finish, it pairs naturally with Stilton or walnut tart.
Château La Gaffelière 2010 Saint-Émilion
Baked raspberry, kirsch and dried mulberry unfold with plum pudding, pencil shavings and forest floor. The palate is medium to full-bodied, layering ripe red, blue and black fruit over savoury earth and crushed-rock detail. Chewy tannins and well-knit freshness give the rich core precision, with an herbal lift on the finish.
Domaine René Rostaing 2013 Côte Blonde Côte-Rôtie
Fresh raspberry and boysenberry rise with potpourri, floral oils and smoky mineral notes. Lively red and dark berry flavours fill the palate, gaining depth from peppery spice, olive, truffle and a savoury forest-floor nuance. Fine, gently firm tannins frame the concentrated fruit, while clear mineral energy drives the long, precise and persistent finish.
Fonseca 1985 Vintage Port
Blackberry, blackcurrant and raisin lead an inky, concentrated bouquet, with dark chocolate and a gentle savoury note adding depth. Full-bodied and round, the palate carries abundant fruit over thick, well-integrated tannins. A firm backbone keeps the sweetness composed, while the finish is long and velvety. Decant carefully and serve with Stilton or dark chocolate.
Bauchet 2012 Saint-Nicaise Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Champagne Magnum
White flowers, lemongrass and white stone fruit open with a mature, quietly savoury edge. Fine, chiselled bubbles carry the palate, where freshness balances gentle notes of woodland and fresh mushroom. The texture is composed and persistent rather than showy, finishing clean and dry. Serve with roast poultry, mushroom dishes, scallops or aged Comté.
Fonseca Vintage Port 1970
Mature and beautifully poised, with dried plum, caramel and orange peel layered with exotic spice, cocoa and warm red fruit. The palate is sweet but finely tensioned, combining generous fruit with fresh acidity, settled tannins and a gently warming spirit. Long, balanced and savoury on the finish, it is ideal with Stilton, dark chocolate or toasted walnuts.
Château Léoville Barton 2003 Saint-Julien
Blackberry, black cherry and cassis lead into liquorice, dark chocolate and sweet tobacco. The palate is full and concentrated, with firm yet integrated tannins carrying ripe fruit, leather and forest-floor complexity. Floral notes and mineral freshness keep the structure balanced through a long, focused and quietly powerful finish.
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.
Bruno Paillard 1996 Assemblage Champagne
Ripe citrus peel, green apple and pear meet gingerbread, toasted brioche, candied fruit and a gentle nutty note. The palate is ample and softly textured, yet a firm mineral line and lively acidity preserve clarity. Fine bubbles carry citrus and orchard fruit through a long, clean finish. Serve with roast scallops, aged Comté or poultry.
Blandy’s 1968 Sercial Madeira
Mid-deep amber with an olive-green rim, opening on lifted smoke and a distinctly savoury note. The palate is dry but not austere, combining crystallised fruit with incisive acidity and remarkable intensity. Greengage brings a fresh, tart lift through the centre. The finish is mouthwatering and persistent, moving from fruit to fine woodsmoke and a final touch of savoury complexity.
Remoissenet 1969 Chevalier L’Arquebuse
A fully mature Burgundy with dried citrus peel, baked apple and hazelnut, joined by honeyed wax, truffle and gentle spice. The palate is silky and integrated, carrying preserved orchard fruit, toasted nuts and savoury depth on a softened frame. Its long, earthy finish calls for quiet attention and a simple table companion such as roast poultry, mushrooms or aged Comté.
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.
E. Guigal 2012 Ermitage Ex-Voto Rouge
Crème de cassis and black raspberry lead, layered with crushed rock, liquorice and a subtle savoury note. The palate is powerful and full-bodied, with concentrated dark fruit wrapped in ripe, steadily building tannins. Vanilla and spice add depth without softening the wine's mineral focus or its exceptionally long 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 Cos d’Estournel 1986 Saint-Estèphe
Ripe plum, blackcurrant and blackberry meet liquorice, graphite and a smoky, toasted note. The palate is concentrated yet composed, with savoury depth, firm grainy tannins and mineral freshness holding the mature fruit in shape. Cedar and warm spice build through a long, refined finish that remains powerful without feeling heavy.
Château Léoville-Las Cases 1985 Saint-Julien
Mature and beautifully composed, with cassis, wild strawberry and dark fruit joined by cedar, tobacco, dark chocolate, dried berries, crushed stone and rose petal. Powerful yet sophisticated, the palate is vivid and harmonious, with velvety structure and a long, lingering finish. Decant carefully for about one hour and serve with roast beef, lamb or mushrooms.
Château Le Gay 2010 Pomerol
Dried mulberry, plum and fig open with cedar, violet and a touch of dark chocolate. The palate is full and concentrated, yet its power is shaped by supple tannins, fresh acidity and clear mineral focus. Black fruit, spice and liquorice carry through a long, polished and impressively balanced finish.
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.