Tim Atkin MW (93)

Discerning palates will revel in the Smith Woodhouse Lay & Wheeler Millenium 2000, a fortified wine of exemplary character. Produced in Portugal's esteemed Douro Valley, this Vintage Port incorporates the nuanced flavours that made 2000 a stellar year for wine enthusiasts. Unique to Smith Woodhouse, a respected producer steeped in tradition since 1784, is their harvesting of grapes from the higher-altitude vineyards of Douro, lending the Millenium 2000 its notable freshness and elegance.

Traditional foot-treading techniques further exude the rich flavours of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, and other native grape varieties, encapsulated in this alluring blend. Revel in the remarkable, dark-fruit intensity on the palate and the gracefully layered structure. With Smith Woodhouse Lay & Wheeler Millenium 2000, expect a sophisticated, prolonged finish that leaves a nostalgic aftertaste of the turning millennium. A timeless addition to any fine wine collection, capturing the essence of the epoch into one remarkable bottle.

Indulge in the refined elegance of the Von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling Auslese 2001, a product of exceptional winemaking expertise. This vintage originates from the highly-regarded Maximin Grunhaus vineyard, situated on the dramatic slopes of the Ruwer valley in Mosel, a region renowned worldwide for its superior Rieslings. Produced by the esteemed Carl von Schubert, this wine is crafted from 100% Riesling grapes grown on the distinguished Abtsberg vineyard. Remarkable for its precision and longevity, the wine boosts an intense citrus bouquet. Its palate portrays a fine balance of sweetness and acidity, delivering ripe peach, apricot, and honeyed nuances tempered by a lively minerality. Demonstrating the distinctive character and complexity of a true Mosel Riesling, the Von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling Auslese 2001 is a tribute to the tradition, passion, and respect for terroir that embodies the von Schubert estate.

Delve into the divine flavours of the Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese 2007. Cultivated in the esteemed vineyards of Mosel, Germany, by multigenerational winemakers of the Schaefer family, this exquisite wine is a true testament to their mastery of Riesling production. Harvested late in the season, each grape utilised in this Spätlese carries an amplified sweetness, tempered by the region's characteristic minerality. The Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese 2007 captivates the senses with a seductive bouquet of ripe peach and apricot coupled with sophisticated undertones of slate and spritzy lime. Seamless balance of sweetness and acidity ensures an exceptionally long, pleasing finish. Lauded by critics, including a notable score of 94 points from Wine Spectator, this wine not only stands as a paragon of quality but also of the heralded Schaefer legacy.