Bodegas Toro Albalá is considered one of the truly great wineries from the southern Spanish region of Montilla-Moriles. Established in 1922, Toro Albalá is now in the expert hands of Antonio Sánchez who hand crafts this extraordinary dessert wine from the lucious Pedro Ximenez grape variety. A concentrated nose of tobacco, crème de cacao and licqorice greets you while the palate is a beguiling mixture of sweet and bitter flavours with a dense concentration and length that seems to live forever.

This unique Tawny has spent a minimum of 15 years aging in old oak barrels to develop rich tawny characters. To complete the process for this expression, it has finished its aging process in Beenleigh Rum Barrels to further develop characteristics true to the style and mellow tannins and acidity. The result is a lush and opulent tawny with complex flavours of dried fruit, sweet spice, dried figs and molasses. In collaboration with Beenleigh Rum Distillery, Australia’s oldest operating distillery comes this 15-Year-Old release from Galway Pipe, an exclusive fortified producer.

Quinta do Noval is the go to Port house for those who prefer VP in a more elegant guise. 1995 was a terrific year at Noval and now almost 20 years old, it is a beautifully balanced and supple wine with a lush, plump texture and smooth, round tannins. Intense flavours of plums, raisins and dark chocolate abound with a hint of secondary development now peaking through.

SCHAFER-FROHLICH Bockenauer Felseneck GK Riesling-Auslese, Nahe

Since 1984 Château Rieussec has been the Sauternes property of the Rothschild family, owners of Chateau Lafite. Rieussec, a neighbour of Chateau dYquem, had for generations been a leading producer and was ranked Premier Cru in 1855. Even so, under Rothschild ownership the property has been transformed, with new cellars and winery and far more rigorous grape selection (plus greater use of barrel fermentation and maturation) for the flagship Grand Vin. This has led to Rieussecs clear emergence as a rival to its famous neighbour. Chateau Rieussec is 90% Semillon, with minor contributions from Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The property is 110ha with 68ha under vine.