A delightfully eclectic, six-bottle white and red selection that will prove a definitive cross-section of gratifying drinking pleasure.

The Wines:

2018 Les Tours de Laroque, St Emilion Grand Cru
This classic Right Bank blend offers intensity and richness as well as finesse and approachability. The 2015 vintage is first-class, with a pronounced warmth, expression and charm, combining elegance, fine-grained tannins, and subtle notes of roasted coffee and smoky, spicy oak. With 6 years behind it, and several more to go, Les Tours de Laroque is an ideal drinking addition to any Christmas repertoire. 

2016 Grand Vin Pinot Noir 'Clayvin Vineyard', W&F, Marlborough, New Zealand
Here's a beautifully-ageing pinot noir full of wonderful complexities. With a nose already offering hints of the earthy, forest-floor, secondary aromas pinot-lovers relish, there is on the palate, an initial medley of red berry fruit that develops a velvety, smooth and herbaceous character. Exceptionally fine tannins lead to a finish of great length and nuance. Sublime with festive roast duck. 

2006 Rioja Reserva Especial, Bodegas Urbina
In the supreme 2006 vintage, Urbina have once again produced an immensely classic Rioja that has developed beautifully in bottle. The nose has aromas of fine black fruits, black cherries, ripe plum, leather and tobacco notes, all perfectly integrated with the oak. On the palate, round, silky and smooth, with a voluptuous, sweet middle palate of delicious ripe berry and mature fruits. Refreshing acidity, elegant, complex and classy. One of Tim Atkin MWs 9 Reserva 'wines of the year'(96 pts.)

2021 Pouilly-Fumé, Domaine Des Fines Caillottes, Jean Pabiot et Fils
Pouilly-Fumé is an appellation with a similar terroir to Sancerre. So similar, in fact, that differentiating it from its overshadowing neighbour is often futile. However, not so with Jean Pabiot and his Domaine des Fines Caillottes. Here is a rich sauvignon with beguiling citrus fruit flavours and layers of sleek minerality from a terroir of chalk, stones and fossilised shells, all with that signature whiff of flintlock, confirming youre on Pabiots side of the Loire.  A very complete wine and quite a delicious one.

2021 Pouilly-Fuissé 'Marie Antoinette', Famille Vincent
This lovely white is restrained at first and develops floral and citrus aromas with time. It is toasty with ripe, bright citrus fruit. It was partially vinified in oak barrels and stainless steel tanks to make a delicious, well-balanced Pouilly-Fuissé.

2021 Domain Road Pinot Gris, Central Otago
From the world's most Southerly wine producing region, Domain Road delivers an enchanting, honey and spice-tinged pinot gris made very much in an Alsatian mould. Luscious and rewarding.