One of the very greatest estates of Bordeaux, Château Mouton Rothschild is in the commune of Pauillac in the Haut-Medoc, 50km north-west of the city of Bordeaux. Its Chateau wine or grand vin is among the worlds most highly-rated and expensive. Excluded from the highest rank (Premier Cru or First Growth) of the famous Bordeaux Classification of 1855, Mouton was finally promoted in 1973 after decades of lobbying by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, who ran the estate from 1922 until his death in 1988. Mouton was first in the region to bottle at the estate, rather than shipping its wine to merchants for bottling elsewhere. Since 1924 artists including Braque, Dali, Picasso, Henry Moore, Miro, Chagall, Kandinsky, Andy Warhol, Francis Bacon, David Hockney and Lucian Freud have been commissioned to produce label images. Mouton, uniquely among the First Growths, remains in the hands of the same family as it was at the time of the 1855 Classification. The vineyards are on slopes with gravel-based soils leading down to the Gironde estuary and total 75ha 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The Chateau wine is (unusually) fermented in large oak vats and then matured in new oak barrels for between 19 and 22 months. Total production of the grand vin is 20,000 dozen or less. There is a second wine, Le Petit Mouton, established in 1993. The grand vin is noted for its flamboyance exotic, powerful aromas of cassis, minerals, tobacco leaf and graphite, an opulent palate and impressive length of flavour.

Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere is a Bordeaux wine from the appellation Saint Emilion, ranked Premier Grand cru classe in the Classification of Saint Emilion wine.

GIACOMO CONTERNO Monfortino Riserva, Barolo DOCG In 1974 the Conterno family purchased Cascina Francia, a 14-hectare site in Serralunga, replanting it with Nebbiolo and other native varieties.The spectacular 1978 vintage rewarded Giovanni Conterno with his first Monfortino from Cascina Francia, a wine considered one of the greatest Barolos ever made. Into the 2020s, Roberto Conterno continues the rich legacy of vineyard work and winemaking established by his father Giovanni and grandfather Giacomo before him. Monfortino remains a selection of the best fruit from within Cascina Francia and is bottled only in the very best years. Winemaking is rigorously traditional with long macerations, long fermentations and long maturation in large, old Slavonian oak casks (botti). Monfortino has built a phenomenal reputation for ageworthiness and is considered among the very greatest Italian wines.

Arguably Australia's finest wine treasure and a link to our colonial past. Laying in puncheons (475 litre barrels) for 100 years, Seppeltsfield 100 Year Old Para Tawny is bottled to request as only 500 litres remains after the angels have taken their +share+ over the past century. With a history dating back to 1851, Seppelt's pioneered fortified winemaking in Australia and the genious and engenuity of Benno Seppelt is plain for all to see. The port itself is sweet and viscous showing burnt toffee, raisin fruit cake and dark chocolate. An extremely complex wine with a finish of remarkable intensity enhanced by acidity and alcohol giving considerable flavour length. A perfect wine.

Te Matas Hawkes Bay estate is a prestigious winery with a rich history, producing some of New Zealands most celebrated wines. If the Langtons Classification crossed the Tasman, Te Mata Coleraine would sit alongside Grange at its very pinnacle. Established, esteemed, outstanding vintage after vintage, the glowing adjectives come thick and fast.

Arguably Australia's finest wine treasure and a link to our colonial past. Laying in puncheons (475 litre barrels) for 100 years, Seppeltsfield 100 Year Old Para Tawny is bottled to request as only 500 litres remains after the angels have taken their +share+ over the past century. With a history dating back to 1851, Seppelt's pioneered fortified winemaking in Australia and the genious and engenuity of Benno Seppelt is plain for all to see. The port itself is sweet and viscous showing burnt toffee, raisin fruit cake and dark chocolate. An extremely complex wine with a finish of remarkable intensity enhanced by acidity and alcohol giving considerable flavour length. A perfect wine.

JOSEPH DROUHIN Marquis de Laguiche Grand Cru, Montrachet