SPARKLING - Palmer Brut Réserve Champagne NV A 10 Cases house wine, of sorts. It was named after a famous biscuit brand by a group of Champenois winegrowers in 1947 in order to appeal to the British thirst for Champagne. This is very complex for a 'house' Champagne, leapfrogging the legal requirement of 12 months on the lees and going for a full 3 years. It deserves a proper wine glass! WHITE 1) Moreau-Naudet 1er Cru 'Montmains' Chablis 2018 A winery with immense pedigree in Chablis. Virginie (Mimi) Moreau, takes influence from the great Vincent Dauvissat, working organically, hand-picking and aiming for optimum maturity in the fruit. 2018 is a pretty powerful vintage in Chablis, lots of fruit, bags of structure, a style begging for creamy shellfish. 2) Blankbottle 'Aasvoel' Verdelho 2021 Pieter Walser's dynamic and exciting wines have been a 10 Cases hit since they hit the UK market only a few years ago. Made from fruit sourced from all over the Western Cape, this Verdelho - named after the African Vulture - grew up in Stellenbosch, and is possibly a wine to drink a bottle or two of 'early doors', and stash the rest away for a couple of years. Watch the magic unravel! 3) Gulfi Carricante 2018 Arguably the most beautiful label of all the wines here, and quite possibly located in the most beautiful location of all too (we were very fortunate to visit back in October, and see the vineyards in all their glory). Carricante is a native variety to Sicily and also has all the hallmarks of a wine to age longer - we recently enjoyed a 2005 bottle of this wine. A plethora of citrus fruit, anise and butter cream. What a belter! ROSE - MAGNUMS Montrose Rose 2020 Because one bottle of Rosé is rarely enough! This is a sort of provencal styled pink, yet grown up in the Côtes de Thongue AOC of the Languedoc, and tastes like crushed raspberries and rosehip. RED 1) Azelia 'Margheria' Barolo 2012 Azelia is a jewel in the Barolo hierarchy, owned and managed by the Scavino family, producing a wonderful array of old vine Baroli wines. The vineyard 'Margheria' is located in the commune of Serralunga d'Alba, on the famous poor white limestone soils. Along with a very long maceration of 55-60 days and extended barrel maturation, this is a hedonistic and dense style. Drink now, or wait until 2035, if you have the patience. 2) Domaine des Sanzay Saumur-Champigny 2020 Charming, bright and juicy Cabernet Franc from Didier and Céline Sanzay`s estate, which dates back to 1880. A very drinkable classic. 3) Paul Misset 'Les Barreaux' Vosne Romanée 2012 'Les Barreaux' is a prime village-level lieu-dit, that sits on north-east facing slopes in a combe directly above the Grand Cru of Richebourg and the legendary Premier Cru Cros Parentoux. A slightly more extracted style of Pinot Noir, with plenty of tannin structure, which is just starting to open up (2012 a fuller and richer vintage for reds). Tee up a grouse with this one. 4) Frog's Leap Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 It's rare these days to find Napa Cabernet with lightness and finesse. But Frogs Leap do wonderful work in the vineyards and winery to maintain a brighter and cooler-fruited style in their wine. SWEET Bucciarelli Vin Santo 2018 An aromatic blend of Malvasia and Trebbiano, gently fortified to give a fuller and richer style of dessert wine. A lovely Christmas pudding wine, but save a few drops for the Stilton.