Henri Giraud is an exciting and leading name in the grand cru village of Aÿ making wines of great elegance that have earned them a loyal following among collectors and critics alike. The heart of this multi-vintage blend is the excellent 2020 vintage, which is combined with one third perpetual reserve, dating back to 1990. The wine is a beautiful golden colour, with a chalky, vinous precision on the nose, leading to a racy, detailed palate with great depth of flavour. This is a very serious Champagne: classy and precise, combining the appealing intensity of the vintage with the finesse of the Giraud style.

Yeasty, bready notes combine with sea spray, bruised apple and a hint of burnt orange on the finish. Spice and herbs add complexity alongside the palate’s finesse and vibrancy. Pale gold in colour, this bone dry sherry evokes memories of being by the sea with its salty and saline palate. Quite simply delicious.

Fresh and complex, with an alluring ripeness and depth to the fruit on the nose. Notes of pretty red forest fruits, wild strawberry and fresh cranberry, accompanied by notes of white flowers. Fresh, elegant and precise on the palate from the off, gliding to a long, mineral finish. Delicious now, this will age with style.

Domaine de Thalabert is always one of the best wines of the appellation and in certain great vintages the ageing capacity is remarkable. The 2022 is one of these vintages. Deep purple in colour, there is a vivid nose of violets, bramble fruit, pepper and wild thyme. The palate is fleshy and full yet with ample freshness that coats the palate with a fluid fine al dente fruit. This is no doubt one of the great vintages of Thalabert.

Domaine de Thalabert is always one of the best wines of the appellation and in certain great vintages the ageing capacity is remarkable. The 2022 is one of these vintages. Deep purple in colour, there is a vivid nose of violets, bramble fruit, pepper and wild thyme. The palate is fleshy and full yet with ample freshness that coats the palate with a fluid fine al dente fruit. This is no doubt one of the great vintages of Thalabert.

Domaine de Thalabert is always one of the best wines of the appellation and in certain great vintages the ageing capacity is remarkable. The 2022 is one of these vintages. Deep purple in colour, there is a vivid nose of violets, bramble fruit, pepper and wild thyme. The palate is fleshy and full yet with ample freshness that coats the palate with a fluid fine al dente fruit. This is no doubt one of the great vintages of Thalabert.

Classic Cuvée Edition 1 is the inaugural release from Domaine Evremond, a joint-venture between two longstanding friends, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger and Patrick McGrath MW. A blend of 2020 (80%) and 2019 (20%) sourced from the original plots of the estate, the Classic Cuvée was aged on lees for three years. Aromas of citrus, toast, seashells and white blossom. The crisp, saline palate reflects English-style freshness and the chalky soil. However malolactic fermentation brings roundness and texture with notes of green fruits, white peach and a pinch of white pepper. A refined mousse leads to a hint of crushed almond on the finish. Precise and elegant, it's perfect to drink now but should benefit from further ageing under cork.

Beautifully delineated Cabernet aromas on the nose with cassis, blueberry and fine spiced notes of star anise, espresso and cocoa. There is some wild herb and juniper spice too with a fine gravelly core - a fine balance between the richness of fruit on the mid-palate and drive and direction on the finish.

The 2023 vintage is a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Mataro, and Alicante Bouschet. Very expressive from the outside there are flavours of dark hedgerow fruit with finely spiced notes of vanilla and espresso. This is quite a bold wine but very complex that keeps opening in the glass with notes of graphite and wild herbs emerging with a little air. Very balanced with charming fruit all the way to the finish.

A blend of Zinfandell, Carignane, Petite Sirah, and Alicante Bouschet this is a deep, rich and spicy wine with flavours of blue fruits, wild herbs and baking spice. Fleshy and round on the palate the tannins are deftly integrated with the fruit and the finish is long and lingering with notes of cocoa and dark berry fruits.