As Australian Chardonnay continues its re-emergence, Vasse Felix Heytesbury is firmly leading the charge with its complex, modern style that has seen the winemaking team take home a cabinet full of trophies and gold medals in recent years. 100% wild yeast fermented and matured in French oak for only nine months, there is a power and persistence that is unmistakable. A flavour cavalcade of matchstick, citrus, white peach and grapefruit alongside a subtle toasty, nutty aspect from the sublime oak regime. The finish of this remarkable example will leave you in no doubt to this wines pedigree and ageability. Sheer classic.

Meaning beauty in japanese, Bi is one of Houraisen's flagship sake's. It is a very elegant style of the highest grade of sake, Junmai Daiginjo. Tank matured for 10 months at 10 degrees in order to have a rounder and more mellow character, it has a nose that indicates sweet fruits with the palate showing good balance between the gentle acidity and the sweet fruit flavours.

McWilliam's Mount Pleasant Maurice O'Shea Shiraz continues lead the pack of great Hunter Valley Shiraz. A lovely return to old form, this Maurice has a striking purple hue to it in the glass. To the nose aromas of liquorice and spice with hints of cedar will beguile. Layers of complex flavours dance across the palate including savoury, spicy dark fruits like dark plums and cherries. A classic of classics.

HINE ANTIQUE XO Grande Champagne Cognac, a blend of forty-six eaux-de-vie produced exclusively from grande champagne grapes.

The Vieille Réserve is often the favourite cognac of our Grande Champagne lovers, especially ladies. This cognac expresses all the fullness of the fruity aromas typical of a Grande Champagne, aged for a long time in oak barrels. To fully appreciate this cognac, take time, sit in a good chair and heat the glass with the palm of your hand. The trip to a stone fruit orchard can begin. At the beginning of the tasting, the aromas of fresh fruit at the beginning of summer - like peach or apricot - appear. As the glass warms, aromas of riper fruit, more oxidized by the sun, are revealed, such as plums, prunes and Agen prunes. These are the fruits of late summer: hot, matured, and stewed. At the end of the tasting, spices appear then the vanilla side of the oak barrel. Round and mellow, this cognac is easily savoured. Another remarkable point, the length in the mouth, so characteristic of the Grande Champagne. The combination with a chocolate dessert (such as a Black Forest or a fondant) is quite appropriate.

The guru of all cult winemakers in South Africa, Eben Sadie, brings meticulous care to his wines with old vines, low yields, old barrels and concrete fermenters all allow the grapes to speak of their terroir. Palladius is a blend of up to nine varieties, with Chenin Blanc dominating and adding freshness, from a multitude of old parcels and soil types.

Bollinger La Grand Année is truly one of the greats of Champagne, a traditionalist house making muscular wine with body, length, depth, and every other dimension. Sourcing nothing other than quality fruit, it consists of 76% Grand Crus and 24% Premiers of Crus with a minimum aging of 5 years. Bollinger La Grande Année is a quite exemplary gift.

Olivier Leflaive was co-manager of Domaine Leflaive until 1994 before withdrawing to concentrate on his own venture which he started in 1985. Today the domaine produces wine from some 65 appellations with 85% of the production being white wine. One of Burgundys most respected producers the estate produces a number of domaine wines from its own vineyards alongside its range of negocé bottlings. This Chardonnay is a wine with a fine aromatic intensity of almond, hazelnut, apple and a nice balance between smoothness and freshness on the palate.

The single-vineyard Magill Estate Shiraz is intrinsically linked to Penfolds beginnings. Sourced from the original Magill vineyard on the edge of Adelaide s eastern suburbs. A beautiful bouquet of chocolate mousse, custard and blackberry give complexity to the savory notes of corned beef and olive. This 2013 vintage is medium to full-bodied palate, flavours akin to white sultana cake, dates and a touch of freshly tanned suede. A hint of French oak on the finish.

Godet XO Terre Cognac expresses the heart of a powerful and masculine cognac. Extra old, its aged for 30 years in oak casks blended with 6 crus of AOC cognac. Produced in France by Godet's family owned cognac house that dates back to 1872.