Was in Noble Rot on Friday night with Mark and Dan. It ended up becoming quite a big evening and we had some nice wines. How did we manage in London before Noble Rot came along?

Three Champagnes. Jacques Lassaigne Nature Blanc de Blancs 2007 was fine, mineral and detailed with a citrus core. I really liked this. Ulysse Collin Les Perrieres Blanc de Blancs is a brilliant wine, with concentration and power with a slight salinity that’s delicious. And Gaston Chiquet Special Club 2005 is delicate and put with nice weight and complexity. All superb.

Some Burgundy. Arnold Ente Meursault Clos des Ambres 2008 is stunningly pure and refined. Sylvain Cathiard Vosne Romanee 2001 is drinking very well now with plenty of density. It’s very Cathiard, with smooth, sweet, silky fruit. The Marquis d’Angerville Volnay Taillepieds 1995 is quite different: it still has lots of vivid fruit, but the tannins are still very firm. Finesse here, but a grippy, tight finesse.

Bordeaux. There are still some amazing value for money Bordeaux wines, and this is one of them: Chateau Poujeaux 1996 Moulis en Medoc. It’s fine-grained, elegant and expressive, and is drinking brilliantly now. It’s just £60 on the list here.

An oddity: Richard Stavek’s Spigle-Boiky 2015 is a skin contact white from the Czech Republic, and it is a field blend dominated by Gruner Veltliner and Riesling. This is beautifully judged, with floral aromatics and a very fine palate where the tannins fit in beautifully. This is a lovely wine.

Finally, Lapierre’s ‘Camille’ Morgon 2015 is a superb Beaujolais that captures the concentration and power of this vintage, but retains elegance and a sense of place. Sleek, textural and fine.

A great evening.