List Summary

So very French, you have to love it. In a forty page list with over 1800 bins the Grand Cru Burgundies from DRC (including '85 for 8500) take up the same space as that alloted to the rest of the world outside France! (Although generously - Italian reds, Barolo and Amarone mostly, get their own page.) A droolworthy Champagne selection, with more vintages from the 50s and 60s than you will find in the rest of London's restaurants put together, kickstarts the list. WineChap notes joyfully there is not a single Burgundy younger than 2002 on the list, and most at terrific value with prices for Grand Cru wines other joints sell their 1er Crus at and 1er Crus for the price of village wines, (check out the wines from Deleger for great bargains). Good selection of older Alsace Rieslings and dry white Bordeaux and a sprawling collection of inexpensive regional French reds (under 30, from the 90s and older - possibly some are getting a bit tired but at this price something like Chateau Jaubertie (Bergerac) 1989 at 26 has got to be worth a punt).

This is all window dressing though because lets get one thing straight: - You are here to drink claret. As a note on value genuinely - at WineChap we are seeing a trend of overpricing one particular wine - Sassicaia 1997 (listed at Claridges for 790) here is selling at 352, little more needs to be said... The list ends with a boggling collection of magnums and enviable port selection. A meagre selection by the glass (although very reasonably priced) shows a justifiable contempt for a culture which increasingly prefers a Pret sandwich and bottle of Evian at one's desk to a full four courses at lunch. Having said that where else could you enjoy a glass of Ch d'Yquem 81 (90) or Pedro Ximenez (8!). Jacket and tie obligatory of course but this list is so deserving of respect that all guests should be forced to arrive in a chauffeur-driven Silver Shadow in white tie and tails.