1997 Domaine Ramonet Bâtard-Montrachet, 1997 Domaine Leflaive Bâtard-Montrachet, 2011 Domaine Leflaive Bâtard-Montrachet, 2017 Thomas Morey Bâtard-Montrachet, 2001 Romanèe-Conti Grands Échezeaux, 1994 Château Latour, 1982 Château Latour, 1990 Lafite Rothschild, 1967 Château Gilette

The usual suspects closed out the year with a fabulous line-up on 02 December 2025, very kindly hosted by Sir K at his bespoke residence, paired with Chef Danny’s delectable culinary art. In a year that could have turned out better (for me, at least), one must be mindful of one’s blessings, amongst which are friends who stick with you through thick and thin. Many thanks, everyone.

2006 Champagne Louis Roederer Cristal, courtesy of Kieron. Pale. Gentle overtones of walnuts, yeast and lemon citrus. Slightly burnished with a clean crystalline quality, carrying lovely weight that cut through with fresh incisive intensity. Modest finish.

2017 Comando G El Tamboril Navatalgordo, courtesy of LF. White grenache. Very pale, though there is quite a profusion of white floral notes tinged with petroleum. Structured with surprising transparency in spite of its bold focused acidity, boasting integral detail before tapering to a modest finish.

2005 Kistler Stone Flat Vineyard Chardonnay, courtesy of Sir Bob. Displaying a rather heavier shade of gold, this wine is predictably weighty on the nose with distinct autumnal characters, the fruit and acidity beginning to recede a little in favour of metallic elements, offset by a bit of sweetish undertow that didn’t quite manage to conceal its relative dullness.

2022 Domaine Etienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet 1er Les Perrières, courtesy of Sir Bob. Clear luminosity with a dense profusion of white tones that exude superb clarity. Slightly reductive at first, boasting refined precision and delicate before turning more introspective with even greater power over time.

2017 Thomas Morey Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, courtesy of Kieron. Glacial tones and luxurious crème de la crème emanate from its luminous hues. Only medium weight, but very beautifully proportioned with a focused acidity that impart gentle tension and persistent length. Almost ethereal.

1997 Domaine Jean-Claude Ramonet Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, courtesy of Sir Bob. Distinctly heavier in colour where autumnal and metallic characters dominate with reductive tones, matched by a focused concentration of mature yellow fruit etched on the medium palate with defined precision and sharp acidity.

1997 Domaine Leflaive Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, courtesy of Sir Bob. Displaying luminous hues that belie its age, this wine exudes a certain pebbly warmth on the nose, very beautifully structured with subtle layers of fruit that convey cool glacial tones with a dash of exotic spice throughout its length. Still amazingly fresh and lively. Very lovely.

2011 Domaine Leflaive Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, courtesy of Vic. Pale luminosity, boasting a tightly focused incandescent glow of white tones tinged with vegetal capsicum that extended throughout its supreme length with uninterrupted linearity, imparting sleek intensity amid its subtle layers of clear citrus. Superb!

2001 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grands-Échezeaux Grand Cru, courtesy of LF. Displaying a mature brownish-red, this wine exudes sweetish overtones of caramel and varnish, still imbued with incisive acidity that impart a lovely freshness to its rounded generous proportions. Very well balanced and supple with a distinct undertow of ferrous minerals that convey a tinge of austerity to its minty length.

1994 Château Latour, courtesy of Vic. Still showing quite a deep garnet, this medium-bodied proposition is open and highly supple with transparent textures, imbued with distinct ferrous minerals amid a dash of spice. A little narrow in spectrum, probably a function of the vintage but its pedigree is still evident.

1990 Château Lafite Rothschild. Deep crimson. Capsicum and red plums leap from the glass amid classic overtones of cigar box, complementing the plush refined velvety verve on the fleshy palate, still beautifully fresh and full with a layered feminine elegance. At its best and will hold.

1982 Château Latour, courtesy of Kieron. Utterly complex on the nose, boasting layers of mature black berries and currants imbued with undertones of cinnamon and cedar as well as complex minerals as an integral whole. Still quite full and fresh with a fleshy layered warmth within its classical proportions, evolving in the glass with immortal power and structure over time.

1967 Château Gilette. Generous overtones of jackfruit and complex tangerines emanate from its deep orangey hues, still amazingly fresh with lively acidity. Not too lascivious, developing further notes of apricot and cinnamon amid autumnal tones, distinctly austere at its ferrous finish. Still holding up well.