The end of Dry January, cooked by Mal & Rachel

• NV Ployez-Jacquemart Champagne Extra Quality Brut

  France, Champagne

  Fresh, lively. Enjoyed this more than the BdB Extra Quality Brut NV and the dosage zero from the same producer.

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Pan-fried hake, beetroot and radish salad

• 2022 Samuel Billaud Chablis

  France, Burgundy, Chablis

  Several years since I have had this. Enjoyable, good typicity, all enjoyed, not a huge amount of distinctiveness but nothing at all to dislike.

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Deconstructed meatballs, potato and butterbean mash

• 1997 Pertinace (Cantina Vignaioli) Barbaresco Vigneto Marcarini

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Bought at auction. Very crumbly cork, totally disintegrated in the removal. Decanted for 60-90mins. Very interesting and enjoyable, still had plenty of energy despite its age.

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• 1999 M. Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Bought at auction. Cork disintegrated completely on opening. Quite deep and dark, feeling of heaviness.

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• 2019 Antico Podere Casanova Langelo Rosso Toscana IGT

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  A point in the evening where we weren't really taking note. All seemed to enjoy.

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Orange & almond cake

• 2002 Tokajbor - Bene Pincészet Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos

  Hungary, Tokaji

  All loved; great balance and energy. Able to stand up to the orange & almond cake with dark chocolate icing. A great match actually and a lovely wine.

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Cheese - gouda, and a Spanish blue (both particularly good)

• 1994 Ceretto Barbaresco Asij

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Another one bought at auction, another cork that fell to bits completely. No notes taken on this one.

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