France

The most mediaeval wine I had in my cellar, so had to bring this for the beef course, though it was likely to be …

Also served with the soup course, mostly for interest’s sake. Not bad, with distinctive character, but could have done with more minerality. Also a …

Picked up whilst in the Alps, this is a bit of an oddity – not because it’s a vin de paille, with straw-dried grapes …

Over dinner with Tracy, I gave her the choice of wine, and this was it. I was a little nervous this might be too …

So, though less attractive than the Quartz, this was still well-made. A flintier, more austere, minerally style. Pale gold. Medium intensity nose of slightly …

Also opened at team drinks, side-by-side with Schiste, over-leaf. I bought both of these were picked up in Cluses, at the foot of the …

From Princess’ dad’s stash, I think, and into the Wine Club. A nice, well-matured Left-Bank Bordeaux. Coming to the end of its life, but …

From the Cave of Delights, like Montus XL ’96. Initially not quite a harmonious whole, but on warming and extended aeration, came together well …

It took a long time (and several bottles) to get a proper tasting note down to accompany the label from bottle 1. Ultimately, this …

Finally tasted this über-grower Champagne at J&B’s grower tasting, and this estate lived up to its reputation entirely. This was my wine of the …