DOMAINE LUCIEN LE MOINE Les Amoureuses 1er cru, Chambolle-Musigny Lucien Le Moine is a unique négocianthaute couture is often how they are described. Husband and wife, Mounir and Rotem Saouma source small parcels of wine from many producers. Their contribution to the wine is in the elevage, esoteric regime which changes each vintage relying on Mounirs sensory talents forged in a Trappist monastery in Lebanon and honed in their vaulted cellars in the Cote dOr. Working with the best (Jupilles, FRA), fine-grained new oak, the Saoumas produce a staggering number of Grands and 1er Crus cuvees.

Château Latour is situated in the heart of the Médoc wine region, about 50 km north-west of Bordeaux, where the legend of the vineyards of Bordeaux began. The Château’s prime terroir, l’Enclos, overlooks the Gironde Estuary which, over the centuries, has given the vineyard its geological complexity and, on a daily basis, ensures a mild climate. In the years since 1993, under the leadership of the Pinault family, the estate’s owner, significant changes have been made with a view to maintaining Château Latour’s pursuit of excellence in the wines that it produces. Dark ruby in colour with a very elegant nose with beautiful aromatic purity. Generous and powerful on the palate with a velvety mouthfeel, full of silky tannins. Brimming with energy, the finale is superbly precise with fabulous length.

Now this half bottle is handy if you wish to toast yourself. Pol Roger is one of the world's power house champagne houses. Famously quoted by the likes of Winston Churchill and the champagne of choice for Her Majesty the Queen. An equal blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, with addition of 20% reserve wines. It is impressively fresh and vivacious with more depth than most aperitif styles.

One of the finest and most ethereal of all Burgundies, Domaine-Mugneret Grands-Échézeaux comes from a small 1 hectare plot of old vines averaging in age between 40 and 70 years. Silky and intense with a beguiling perfume of violets, fresh cherries, earth, leather, forest floor and truffle, the wine shows lovely volume and density with the structure to age gracefully over many years.

P2, meaning 'second plenitude', is energy at its peak, Dom Perignon in high definition. It is the result of 16 years of elaboration: extra - time of maturation on the lees, constantly monitored and tasted by the Chef de cave to determine the perfect time for disgrorgement. A stunning indulgence. Richard Geoffroy was born in the heart of Champagne country. He has now been Dom Pérignons Chef de Cave for over 25 years, arguably the highest position in Champagne, and he alone is responsible for deciding whether or not to declare a Dom Pérignon vintage. The new 2006 is the fifth straight vintage from Dom Pérignon. His vision is to express the nuances of the vintage while creating a Champagne that is vibrant, intense and complex. Dom still provides one of the greatest Champagne experiences.

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

LAURENT PONSOT Grand Cru Cuvée de l'Érable , Echezeaux