Deep, dark, ruby-red, is not quite opaque. The nose is cedary with quite high-toned, ripe dark fruit, overlaid by lovely top notes of coconut & vanilla. The concentrated cassis fruit in the palate is very classy, it is lean, structured & cedary with hints of coconut & vanilla. Fine tannins give grip while retaining some suppleness. The wine has a wonderful elegance thanks to beautifully balanced acidity. Alcohol is also balanced, leaving the finish long & fine.

Blend: 66% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2004-2045

A timeless expression of Right Bank elegance.

The 1989 Château Cheval Blanc captures the soul of Saint-Émilion with effortless grace and intensity. From a warm, generous vintage, this masterpiece marries the opulence of Merlot with the perfume and finesse of Cabernet Franc in perfect harmony.

The nose is intoxicating, ripe plum, black cherry, tobacco leaf, cedar, and exotic spices swirl together in a seductive bouquet. On the palate, it’s velvety and expansive, with superb balance, silky tannins, and a lingering finish that echoes with truffle, graphite, and dark fruit.

Now at the peak of its powers, the 1989 Cheval Blanc offers an unforgettable experience, rich, refined, and emotionally resonant. It is a wine for connoisseurs, collectors, and anyone who believes in the artistry of Bordeaux.

Critic Notes:
96 Points | Neal Martin (Vinous) - Wine Journal Sep 2011
“Tasted at Cheval Blanc dinner at The Ledbury. One of the finest vintages of Cheval Blanc in recent years, this is the best bottle that I have encountered. It has a show-stopping bouquet of bacon fat, roasted chestnut, blackberry and still that heavenly tincture of Italian meats. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, so vigorous and 'confident' with a tangible meatiness to that ebullient red fruit that is degrading at a glacial pace. Lovely poise on the finish with that walnut notes once again, although I did remark that over time in the glass it relinquished some of its harmony. Still, this is a Cheval that oozes charisma. Drink now-2020+ Tasted November 2010.”

The medium to deep ruby-red color is not quite opaque. The nose shows a little clean cassis perfume over precise toasty oak. On the palate lovely freshness allows vivid cassis hints to show ahead of a classic cedary mid-palate that is dominated by the wine's fine tannic structure. Alcohol is balanced & the finish endures well. The fruit on the finish is closed & unsupple.

A surprisingly dense color which stays very bright despite its depth. Initially, a certain reticence conceals the wine’s aromas, but its richness is very quickly felt. The attack surprises with its sensation of dense, highly complex fruit volume. Little by little the tannins fill the mouth. They are silky, smooth and mellow, to which is added gentle notes of very subtle woodiness. The whole effect is so succulent you could almost eat it. The wine is long and very elegant. It is perfectly balanced in structure.

Extremely good color, dense and young for this vintage. The aromas of this young wine burst upon you. Again this is a wine that is aromatically perfectly balanced. Wood scents do not prevail in this young wine. The approach is soft, and unctuous. The aromatic balance melds in the mouth with soft dissolving tannins. No rigid tannin but rather a slight hint of licorice that melts into the softness of the finish. Thanks to its ageing, the wine will reach its apogee.

The characteristic of this wine is its harmony between the very soft and very fine structure and the complex aroma given by the earth of the “Graves”. There is a lot of charm in this bottle which could be consumed either in the next few years or be kept in the cellar as the wine will age remarkably.

The estate vineyards of Opus One, comprised of 4 parcels, sit in the western portion of the famed Oakville AVA. Two parcels, totaling 100 acres, are within the renowned To Kalon Vineyard. These are complemented by the combined 70 acres of the Ballestra and River parcels, which envelop the winery. In the vineyards, hand-harvesting and other traditional approaches are taken wherever they work best. When modern techniques benefit the winegrowing process, they are researched, evaluated and integrated into practice.

Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 1998-2050

A wine of legend from a vintage of dreams.

The 1982 Château Lafite Rothschild is not merely a First Growth; it’s a benchmark in Bordeaux history. From an exceptional vintage that redefined the modern era of fine wine, this Lafite stands as one of the most sought-after and celebrated releases ever made by the estate.

In the glass, it radiates with maturity and depth, cedar, graphite, blackcurrant, and dried violets unfolding in complex, layered harmony. 

The palate is silky and refined, with astonishing persistence and balance that only decades in bottle can bestow. It's graceful yet commanding, like a symphony conducted by a master.

Critics and collectors alike hail this vintage as one of the greatest Lafites of all time. 

Critic Notes:
98 Points | Neal Martin (Vinous) - Wine Journal Jan 2013
“Tasted at Pebbles/Zachy’s 1982 dinner in Hong Kong. This is the second time I have tasted the Lafite ’82 this year and both bottles have been exemplary. Here it has a brilliantly defined nose of black fruit, graphite and limestone that has an electrifying intensity – a brightness undimmed over three decades. The palate displays outstanding balance, a little more feminine than Latour and quintessentially “Lafite” rather than “1982”. Fleshy and opulent towards the finish, yet not flamboyant or as extrovert as Mouton, this is just a fabulous Lafite that should plateau for many years. Tasted November 2012.”

97 Points | Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 June 2009
“This is a denser version of the 1990 that stylistically reminds me of what the young 1959 probably tasted like. Still backward with a deep ruby/plum color revealing only a touch of lightening at the edge, the wine offers up an extraordinary nose of caramelized herbs, smoke, cedar, pen ink, black currants, and earth. The gorgeous aromatics are followed by a full-bodied, plump, rich, fleshy wine with low acidity. With 6-8 hours decanting in a closed decanter, it will offer beautiful drinking, but it needs another 5-8 years to reach full maturity. It is capable of lasting 50-60 years. This classic Lafite is not as fat and concentrated as the 1982 Latour, nor as complex or concentrated as the 1982 Mouton Rothschild, but it is a winner all the same. Release price: ($350.00/case)”

As good, or better than any bottle of 86 Lafite I have ever tasted, time has been kind to this wine. The nose sports a complex array of spices, dried tobacco leaves cedar, leather, and bright red berries. The palate is energetic, firm, and most importantly, regal in character, with loads of ripe, bright, chewy, currants and cassis in the mid-palate and finish. This could be a 100-year wine. Drink from 2024-2080.

Almost opaque ruby red in color. Restrained cassis fruit is dominated by cedary & earthy notes. Black fruit on the palate is quite closed with cedar & meaty notes dominating at present. There are plenty of very firm, fine tannins. The wine's acidity & balanced alcohol ensure it is finely poised, however the fruit has a restrained & elegant nature, leaving the structure to carry the enduring finish

The color is concentrated, intense. Aromas of fresh black currant, sweet and ripe, bring great intensity to the wine's fruity youthfulness. Careful barrel aging shows well. This 2010 vintage is fresh and powerful on the palate, with an evolution focusing on tight and firm tannins. The mid-palate is very fleshy, finishing on a slightly dry note produced by the wine's youth and the harvest's maturity. This wine has great power with very good aromatic length. Grapes harvested at full ripeness give fruity retro-olfactive aromas which fully express the potential of Pavie's terroir. Wait at least another five to 10 years, and this wine will make a memorable meal all the more special.

Mature first impressions from this Pavie 2007, with its intense ruby color and violet highlights, reveal a carefully crafted structure and concentration. The aromatic range is very expressive, showing ripe and juicy aromas of pepper, abundant spice, licorice and black cherry jam. The wine is smooth and supple in the mouth, with a tight and powerful texture from well-presented tannins; the mid-palate is worthy of a great terroir. This dense wine from a rather difficult vintage with a hint of severity needs time and aeration for greater accessibility. A long finish of flavorful, complex aromas with pepper and cinnamon notes. Prepare rich meats for this wine, like flank steak, beef cheek stew, thyme-scented lamb filet, or a winter dish of feathered game.

1986 is an astonishing vintage; its very slow development in a way reminds us of the previous generation's wines. Its tannic structure is very tight-knit, very dense and softens only very slightly from year to year. The bouquet is starting to open up; however, we feel that it is still only showing a limited part of its enormous potential. It is full and rich on the palate, still a little bit firm. Should we drink it?. A great vintage, but which seems to belong to another, older era.

2009 is perhaps the greatest young Château Margaux we have tasted over the last 30 years. The 2009 Château Margaux is an unparalleled vintage in its tannic power and fullness (reminding us of 2005) and its softness (reminiscent of 1990). And since its alcoholic degree is barely over 13, its finish remains fresh, flavoursome and of astonishing length. When to drink it? This is a question that is difficult to answer as it already gives so much pleasure, but with such enormous potential.

The Cabernet, is both fine and dense at the same time and dominates the personality of the Château Margaux 2007. The Merlot gives full, tender and rich texture, along with the Cabernet Franc which clearly benefited from the conditions of the vintage. We can start drinking it now even if wisdom would have us wait several more years.

Deep ruby-red color is not quite opaque. The aromas are tightly wound being dusty at first over cassis, them becoming more ceadry & perhaps chalky. The palate is tight & closed at present. There is a delicate leafy cassis fruit but the wine is dominated by plentiful, fine, smooth tannins. Acidity is good alcohol is balanced & the finish has superb length. The wine's fruit is largely closed up, but its excellent balance suggests this could open spectacularly with age.

The wine is a dark, well-pigmented ruby-red in color. Cedar, coffee, tobacco & earthy notes overlay cassis fruit on the nose. The palate is very nicely together, with plentiful coffee notes overlaying black-cherry fruit Balanced acidity & slightly warming alcohol combine to give a firm, well-structured mid-palate. The finish lasts well.

A deep, dark, opaque, glass-staining wine. Restrained, composed & perfumed on the nose with black fruits, cedar, raspberries, blackberries and violets. The palate is very concentrated & extremely refined. Its fine grained tannins are tightly knit, powerful & muscular but in harmony. An outstanding wine.

Surprisingly woodsy, with truffle, cassis, earth, tobacco, cedar chest and blackberry in the developed nose. There is a nice softness to the tannins and fruit. Not yet fully mature, but quite developed for a vintage of Latour at 10 years of age, the wine offers pleasure, refined textures, balance and sweet berries in the finish. Drink now, or wait 5 years for more complexity

Medium to deep ruby red in color. Notes of graphite & chocolate dominate the dark fruit on the nose. The palate is big, rich and concentrated with lots of cassis that is lifted by good acidity. The tannins are huge with good grip, but do not quite close-up the fruit. Alcohol is balanced and the finish has good length. A big wine but with lively fruit & good equilibrium

A very special Mortlach, released as part of the Diageo Special Releases 2022. This takes a left turn compared to most other Mortlach whiskies, which are traditionally aged in sherry casks, and looks at other wines. It was finished in red-muscat and tawny-port casks, and also has a little bit of virgin-oak-finished whisky in the mix. The result is big, rich and spicy, with layers of dark red fruit flavour.

The 2007 Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG is a superb Italian red wine that epitomizes the excellence of the Montepulciano region. This wine is crafted predominantly from Sangiovese grapes, with a small percentage of complementary varietals. It likely displays a deep garnet color with brick-red highlights, indicating its maturity. On the nose, expect aromas of ripe dark fruits, such as black cherry and plum, mingled with hints of dried herbs, tobacco, and leather, characteristic of well-aged Sangiovese. On the palate, it offers a full-bodied and velvety texture, with flavors mirroring the bouquet, accompanied by notes of baking spices and a subtle earthiness. The tannins are likely well-integrated, providing structure and balance to the wine, while the acidity adds freshness and vibrancy. The finish is long and lingering, leaving a satisfying impression of fruit and spice. This Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a testament to Carpineto's commitment to quality winemaking and is an excellent choice for pairing with hearty dishes such as roasted meats or aged cheeses.

With small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this is a rounded and rich red with balanced acidity. Dark plum, berry and mocha highlight a soft, lush opulence of integrated oak with hints of baking spice and tobacco.

Nose: Delicate aromas of red berries, rose petals, and hints of citrus.

Taste: Vibrant flavors of strawberries, raspberries, and cherries with a touch of zesty lemon.

Palate: Lively and refreshing, with a creamy texture and a long, elegant finish.

The Auchentoshan 1988 PX Sherry Cask Finish showcases the facility’s renowned triple distillation process, offering a rich yet approachable complexity of flavors. This 29-year-aged whisky, matured in Spanish oak casks seasoned with Pedro Ximénez sherry, delights with notes of dark chocolate, caramel, oranges, and raisins, complemented by a touch of sherry sweetness. Perfect for warming up those late winter days.

The 30-year-old single malt from Glengoyne is a must-try for whisky enthusiasts. Richly sherried and full-bodied, it was matured in traditional dunnage warehouses, using one-third first-fill European oak Sherry butts and two-thirds refill Sherry butts. Bottled non-chill-filtered at its natural color and 46.8% ABV, this Highland single malt is a limited release, with only 6,000 bottles crafted from 13 casks available each year.

The purity of fruit here is terrific, with redcurrants, blackcurrants, licorice, lead pencil and hints of fresh basil—so aromatic—that follow through to a full body with creamy, round tannins and lots of volume and fluidity in the center-palate for the vintage. Very structured at the end. 87% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Leave this for at least five or six years. Try after 2030.

Polished and refined with a firm, fine and linear tannin structure. Harmonious. Perfumed violets, roses and subtle licorice. All in balance here, with precise layers of black fruit, minerals and pencil lead. Rather seamless. Firm, yet fine and sleek to the end. Very classy. Fine-velvet texture. 96% cabernet sauvignon, 3% merlot and 1% petit verdot.

The wine has perfumed Cabernet Franc aromas with violet, spice and touches of black-fruit tannins. Smoky with tannins, a serious, dense structure and succulent richness, the wine is powerful, impressively rich, ready to drink from 2028.

This opens with aromas suggesting raisin, forest floor, tobacco leaf and raisin. On the straightforward palate, smooth tannins support prune, black plum and baking spice. Kerin O’Keefe

When 007 is ready to celebrate, he reaches for a bottle of Champagne Bollinger. The official champagne of James Bond since 1979, Champagne Bollinger is ready to commemorate the 40th anniversary of their partnership with a special limited edition release. The release pays homage to Moonraker, the film on which the Bond and Bollinger partnership began. The bubbly is packaged in a Moonraker inspired space shuttle box made from pewter and wood veneer that holds a Saint Louis crystal ice bucket and a magnum of Champagne Bollinger 2007. Only 407 were made, each of which arrives numbered and was crafted and finished by hand.

The Roullet VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac stands as a testament to the excellence of its blend, sourced from the esteemed terroir of the Cognac region. Its remarkable balance, rounded character, and intricate layers of flavor offer a sensory journey that captivates from the first sip to the last. Despite its VSOP classification, this Cognac surpasses expectations with its sophistication, delivering a premium experience that belies its affordable price point. With roots dating back to 1772, the Roullet Cognac house has a long-standing tradition of crafting exceptional spirits. Pioneering the sale of Cognac in glass bottles, the house has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry. This rich heritage and unwavering commitment to quality shine through in every drop of the Roullet VSOP, elevating it to a level of distinction beyond its designation.

A blend of cabernet sauvignon fruit from select vineyards across Napa Valley, this deep ruby wine opens with inviting aromas of black cherry, black peppercorn, and toasted sage. Rich, dark fruits are densely layered on the palate, balanced by a graphite backbone and beautifully integrated tannins leading to a persistent finish.

The Kentucky Owl Mardi Gras XO Cask Limited Edition is an exclusive release crafted by finishing an 11-year-old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey in Bayou Rum XO Casks for over a year. This unique whiskey, celebrating Mardi Gras and Louisiana pride, is bottled at 102.8 proof (51.4% ABV). On the nose, it offers robust toasted rye bread notes with farm-fresh sweet butter, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. The palate is rich with flavors of rye whiskey and sweet butter whipped with allspice, culminating in a smooth finish with sweet, buttery notes and a warming nutmeg coda.

This aromatic spirit is scented with citrus peel, rose Turkish delight, florist shop notes, honeycomb, candied orange halves, pear, and gentle wood spices. The palate begins with fruity flavors of citrus, dried apple, and star fruit, transitioning to a creamy texture with vanilla, malt, Oreos, and oak tannins. It leaves a lingering finish of cocoa, delicate spices, and residual fruitiness.

The Tomatin 30 Year Old Single Malt delivers fresh aromas of soft fruits, golden honey, and smooth white chocolate. On the palate, it presents a fusion of tropical fruits and creamy buttered vanilla, mingling with an explosion of sensational mixed spices.

This limited edition release from Laphroaig, bottled in March 2017, underwent a unique maturation process. Initially aged in refill hogsheads, a portion was transferred to refill quarter casks, while the rest remained in first-fill bourbon barrels. After a total of 27 years of aging, the whiskies were blended and bottled at 41.7% ABV.

This rare and complex 40-year-old single malt exhibits excellent depth and layered aromas and flavors of toffee, candied citrus, maple syrup, dried fruit, roasted nuts, and leather. The lush, rounded palate features hints of mocha, ginger, spice, and toasted oak on the finish. Best savoured on its own.

A delight for Tomatin fans, the first batch of their 36-year-old single malt Scotch whisky was unveiled in mid-2015. Distilled in 1977 and matured in a combination of bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks until March 2015, this well-aged expression is bottled at 46% ABV. Expect masses of milk chocolate, oak spice, and subtle orchard fruit notes in this top-notch Highland dram. This release was limited to just 800 bottles.