Charmes-Chambertin is a gentle slope, undulating toward the valley floor. Its wines are often similarly gentle: red fruited, svelte and broachable, even at a young age. Thibault Liger-Belair, however, puts a different spin on it. His incantation of holistic farming, reductive handling and bespoke whole-bunch usage, results in wines that are more brooding and muscular, with Charmes’ typically smooth edges.

Torbrecks flagship wine, The Laird Shiraz is only produced in exceptional years. The fruit comes from one of the finest Shiraz sites in the Barossa valley; the dry grown Gnadenfrei vineyard dating from 1958. Matured for 36 months in special French barriques coopered by Dominique Laurent, the Laird is the ultimate expression of ultra-concentrated single vineyard Barossa Shiraz.

Domaine Armand Rousseau is a highly esteemed producer of top-quality red Burgundy, renowned for labels such as Chambertin and Charmes-Chambertin. The estate's ownership of 5.5 acres of the prestigious Premier Cru vineyard, Clos des Ruchottes, is a testament to the quality of their wines. The grapes undergo meticulous sorting and a cool maceration before being aged in barrel for 18-24 months. Armand Rousseau wines are bottled unfiltered, allowing the full expression of the terroir to shine through. These wines are highly coveted by collectors and investors due to their limited annual production of just 65,000 bottles. Burgundy is a highly respected wine region in east-central France, known for producing top-quality red and white wines. The region is home to famous producers such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Armand Rousseau, and Domaine Leroy. Burgundy's wines are some of the most prestigious in the world, with Grand Cru-designated vineyards being an essential marker for quality. The Côte d'Or is home to many of these Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines, including the Côte de Nuits and Gevrey-Chambertin. These wines are known for being finessed, earthy and age-worthy, making them highly desirable among fine wine investors and collectors. The Domaine Armand Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin Clos St. Jacques Premier Cru 2020 is a wine that effortlessly combines power and elegance. The aromas of ripe black fruits, black cherries, spices and subtle woody notes create an unforgettable sensory experience. The velvety texture and tannic structure of this wine leave a lasting impression, making you crave more. The flavour profile is slightly riper, with the essence of black cherry and poached plum complemented by an array of spice, floral, earth and wood nuances. The medium-weight plus flavours are both elegant and bold, with a striking intensity and minerality that culminates in a powerful, focused and incredibly long finish. The harmony and balance of this wine are impressive and it is expected to age gracefully for several decades. Overall, the Domaine Armand Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin Clos St. Jacques Premier Cru 2020 is a standout among Premier Cru wines. Its unique terroir and meticulous winemaking process make it a must-try for any Burgundy enthusiast. This wine is sure to impress even the most discerning of palates and is guaranteed to become a treasured addition to any collection.

This Blanc de Blancs opens with an ethereal ascent of citrus and a whisper of confectionery. On tasting, it shows a delicate yet persistent mousse, with notes of citrus, vanilla pod, and a subtle varietal savouriness that carries through to a wonderfully long and complete finish, showcasing exceptional purity and balance.

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!

Regarded a Super Second (but technically a 3me growth), Palmer is capable of producing wines that equal or even outstrip the quality of its famous Premier cru neighbour, Ch. Margaux. Named for the wealthy English military man who bought the estate in the early 19th century, Palmer is now majority owned by the Mahler Besse and Sichel families - famous Bordeaux negociants. Many of the best plots on the property were purchased after the Classification of 1855, explaining in part why Palmer did not warrant higher standing at that time. Certainly today there is no question that the wine is among Bordeauxs best. The estate also makes a separate second label - named Alter Ego - which is made from similarly high quality fruit but treated differently in the winery with the aim of producing a counterpoint in style to the First wine.

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.

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.