Christmas Cellar Treasures Case

The 2017 vintage marks a hat-trick of exceptional Canons under the stewardship of Nicolas Audebert. A blend of 77% merlot and 23% cabernet franc, it is a claret of exceptional finesse and we love its refinement, sweetness of fruit and velvety texture.

Superb white Burgundy made in a drier, firmer and grippier style than some Meursaults, such as the same producer’s softer Charmes wine. Perrières sits above Charmes towards the top of the slope on stony limestone soil and the wine benefits from cellaring to show at its best. After five years, this is ready to enjoy.

Richly flavoured, leathery and spicy, this vibrant and remarkable wine is a testament to the keeping qualities of Châteauneuf, and is now very developed and for fans of fully mature wine. The Diffonty family has been implicated in the Châteauneuf appellation since before it was created in 1936. The vines occupy a site at the heart of the appellation and close to the village itself. A tradition in the family has always been to hold wines back for several years, which is the case with this 1971. Enter Louis Barruol of Château Saint Cosme in Gigondas. Louis is both a vigneron and a merchant and by chance was able to get his hands on this extraordinary wine.The wine was well-stored in Châteauneuf and was recorked a few years ago. This is a unique opportunity to delve into Châteauneuf’s history and enjoy a 50-year-old bottle of wine, richly flavoured, leathery and spicy, vibrant and a testament to the keeping qualities of Châteauneuf.

The flagship red from one of South Africa’s greatest estates and one that has earned a loyal and devoted following among members. In the superb 2015 vintage, this cabernet-led Bordeaux blend is on especially succulent form, its ripe – but not overripe – fruit and top-notch oak beautifully integrated with almost imperceptible, silky tannins. It will keep well, but it’s gorgeous now.

One of California’s top names, this offers the generosity you’d expect in 2017, but crucially with the complexity and class you’d hope for too. Its oodles of black fruit and sweet vanilla on the nose open up in the glass and develop additional and enticing tobacco and leather aromas. Sophisticated and multi-faceted cabernet to enjoy now or cellar for Christmases future. Low stock: limited to six bottles per member.

A mature red Burgundy but such is the power and structure of this grower and Nuits cru that there is no hurry, nor is there any shortage of quality or typicity. Lovely.