Family run since the 19th century, the Billecart Champagne house delivers large number of bottles which are always well made and of the highest quality. Champagne Billecart-Salmon was founded with the marriage of Nicolas-François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon in 1818. Situated in the village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, near Epernay. Champagne Billecart-Salmon is still a family-run organisation with seventh generation Mathieu Roland-Billecart overseeing business. In 2016 Chef de Cave François Domi retired after 30 years with Billecart and handed over to his deputy Florent Nys who started with the business in 2005. The vineyards are overseen by Denis Blée and all of the team are members of the eight strong "tasting committee" along with 6th generation François Roland-Billecart and Antoine Roland-Billecart and fifth generation Jean Roland-Billecart. By 2020 production had expanded with grapes now coming from 300 hectares and 40 crus mostly within 20 kms of the winery. This unique release celebrates 200 years of Billecart-Salmon independence and family savoir-faire since 1818. Bicentenary Cuvée 200 is a multi-vintage blend of four exceptional harvests: 2000, 2003, 2008 and 2012. In tribute to the foundation year, just 1,818 magnums and 18 Jeroboams were produced. The blend constitutes wine heralded from eight Grand Crus in the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs, 50% of which were vinified in oak barrel. The champagne is Pinot Noir dominant in order to reflect the ‘old rose’ fragrance that is typical of Billecart-Salmon's famous Clos St-Hilaire, as well as the founders’ cuvées Nicolas François and Elisabeth Salmon. Appearance: Pale gold colour intensity, draped with a bright luminosity with golden yellow tinges. A persistent and abundant finesse of bubbles evolving in a disciplined and energetic way Aroma: A noble and racy expression of a chiselled complexity towards floral notes, orchard fruits and slightly roasted dried fruits (carnation, Williams pear and just roasted hazelnuts). A natural and vibrant sparkle evolving towards scents of citrus zest (lemon caviar and kalamansi) Palate: An ample and dense tension where the texture slowly reveals itself under a controlled and exhilarating acidity. The mid-palate offers a distinguished balance, vinous, almost salty, under the gustatory impact of careful maturing (vine shoots and blond tobacco) Food Pairing: This exceptional cuvée will enchant your taste buds when paired with fine vegetable ravioli, creamy celery with Cévennes chestnuts Bicentenary Cuvée 200 is a powerful statement from Billecart- Salmon, representing a move away from their tradition of releasing wines that have been perfectly matured and are ready to drink, as this special bicentenary release will benefit from longer ageing.

Piper-Heidsieck's roots trace back to Florens-Louis Heidsieck, who created the original company of Heidsieck & Co. Christian Heidsieck joined the venture alongside Guillaume Piper and once Florens-Louis died in 1828, the duo decided to continue the adventure side by side, founding Champagne Piper-Heidsieck. Émilien Boutillat offers a reflection on time with Brut Sauvage 1982 and Hors-Série 1982, presented in the Diptyque 1982 gift box, numbered, and released in a limited edition of 500 boxes. Offering more than a mere flashback, the Chief Winemaker proposes a particularly unique tasting: Émilien Boutillat shares a real reflection on time in his pairing of the two cuvées in one box. A dialogue between two facets of one vintage, of one blend, of one philosophy, revisiting bygone times, each with its own vision. The results of the 1982 harvest are considered amongst the most exceptional ever witnessed in the history of Champagne. The grapes grew under steady weather conditions. The results were irreproachable and the harvest abundant! The grapes, all varieties included, were in excellent condition and stood out for their nesse, equilibrium and grandeur, hallmarks of a great year in Champagne. The fruit of the same vintage, the same blend and dosage, Brut Sauvage 1982 and Hors-Série 1982 each boast a distinctive character, a result of their different ageing processes. There are two ways for a champagne to age: on lees or in a corked bottle following disgorgement. Disgorged in 1992, Brut Sauvage 1982 was cellared on lees for 10 years and cork-aged for 29 years. Hors-Série 1982 spent 39 years on lees before being disgorged in 2022. Tasting the two together offers a truly unique experience as these two cuvées showcase a new perspective on time, revealing different phenomenal sensations and precise generous aromas on the nose and the palate. Hors-Serie 1982 Tasting Note: With a pale golden robe, Hors-Série 1982 being recently disgorged present quite young, luscious notes of mirabelle plums, kumquats, dried pineapple, and fresh quince, with a touch of ginger and earl grey tea. Smoky accents of coffee beans and toast balance out the wine’s minerality. Brut Sauvage 1982 Tasting Note: Harbouring a golden robe and glints of copper, Brut Sauvage 1982 presents a clean, fresh structure and long finish. Initial accents of candied fruits, pastry notes of brioche and frangipane and a touch of vanilla and nutmeg pave the way to warm harmonies of chestnut honey, aged rum and Espelette pepper.

For many Burgundophiles, Richebourg is the single greatest vineyard in Burgundy. More statuesque than la Tache and when on form, more exotic and forceful, than Romanée-Conti. Expect aromas of the Moroccan souk, coupled with firm, sinuous tannins that demand reconciliation in the cellar. Thibault Liger-Belair’s vines are very old in a regional context, dating to 1931-1934, imparting depth and vinous torque.

Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Grand Cru Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Musigny De Vogüé and Musigny are synonymous. This the Domaines prized selection of old vines, the youngest of which are 40 years old, from their 7.2ha of the fabled Musigny. The vines are tended using organic principles, however, the Domaine does not hold an organic certification. Less than 1000 cases are produced in any vintage.

Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne Nv. A Champagne from the fuller-bodied school with flavours of buttered toast, brioche and biscuit to complement the ever present fine acidity and flavour length that is a trademark.

Château Latour is the epitome of power and bold concentration that is Pauillac. With a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, the brilliant close knit tannin complimenting the vibrant cassis driven fruit is something to behold. It is often said that buyers of Latour worry about the wines they purchase will outlive them quite considerably such is the pedigree of such a wine. This is a definite concern for the 2009 vintage which is being reported as being the very best in living memory. The wine itself is a masterclass in concentration and power only with a robust and joyful front and mid-palate. Notes of blackberry and dark plum dance along with secondary characters of subtle oak and pencil shavings. A rambunctuous back palate that is almost thick and viscous that is truly forboding. Robert Parker Jnr has been quoted as saying

Bouchard owns two parcels at the top and bottom of the famed walled vineyard, although presently their Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru comes from the top part, as the bottom has been pulled up. This part of this famous, 50 hectare walled vineyard tends to produce the best wine that have Grand Cru concentration and structure.

A 1st Growth of the highest order, Château Margaux is one of the original 1st growths classified in the Médoc and is arguably the most important of the region. Producing only some 33,000 cases of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaux consistently produces wines that are among the finest examples of the vintage. 2009 is regarded as one of the finest in recent memory in the region and 'normal' wines form the Margaux appellation are being heralded as truly exceptional. One can only speculate how magnificent the Château Margaux will be in 15-20 years time, if one can be patient enough!