LATEST OUTTURN

The nose had heather honey and dessert wine sweetness, but also nice touches of exotic wood (a laurel hedge, gorse flowers, sandalwood, hessian, pencil boxes and calligraphy ink sticks). On the palate, we loved the textures and the curious counterbalance between sweet fruits (orange fondants, tinned pears, tutti frutti ice cream) on one hand and white pepper, tobacco, rosemary, mint tea and eucalyptus on the other. The reduced nose found waxed canvas and wheat beer, butterscotch, banana smoothie and cream soda. The palate, now creamy and mouth-coating, danced delicately on our tongues with waxy fruits and putty, frozen yoghurt and lemon sherbet.

The nose lifted brightly with citrus zest, marmalade and clementine peel wrapped around fragrant pear drops and waxy apple skins. We further noted lemon curd and custard oozing over marzipan, butter and sherbet. The palate pressed forward with the zingy energy of lemon marmalade and citrus zest dancing over honeyed sweetness, alongside a fizz of champagne and the soft fruitiness of pear and pineapple cubes. Water softened the mood into pâtisserie richness. Buttery shortbread and apricot danish pastries were now layered with vanilla, coconut and a dash of rosewater syrup. The reduced palate sang with key lime pie, custard tarts and elderflower cordial, before finishing with citric, floral and lightly cereal notes.

The hush of a candlelit cellar curled around us with leather armchairs, aged oak, peach nectar and silk scarves perfumed with berries. Red fruit clung to old wood like a secret. The first kiss came warm: cherry-laced dark chocolate, coffee grounds and duck in plum sauce. It was heady, rich and plush with velvet tannins. Our second sip was softer, a smooch of fresh fig, balsamic and spice. With water, the nose opened further as glacé cherries, orange oil, liquorice and sticky toffee pudding ice cream combined. Our encounter finished on a teasing flourish, cherry sweeties melting into salted caramel and cocoa, leaving just a trace of ginger and cloves on the palate.