And smooth most of all as in the superlative range of estate wines presented by Robert Giraud of Bordeaux via Wray & Nephew of Kingston.

Giraud export manager John Lujan (English by way of a Spanish family) was a picture of quiet confidence as he ran the appreciative audience through a presentation showing the Chateau Timberlay, from where the house of Giraud does its business, and then on to the various areas and estates that were represented in the range from the Saint-Emelion through the Villemaurine (so named for the Moorish influence) and the Chateau Clos de Larcis, from which a mere 6,000 bottles are sold worldwide.

Of course, the presentation was an appetiser, segeuing perfectly into the moment many had been awaiting - the sampling. This writer's personal taste was drawn to the Medoc, a Cabernet-Merlot blend that combined vibrant mint, berries and citrus mix on top with a rounded - but not dull - finish. But the aforesaid Clos de Larcis and the slightly tart (with a touch of vanilla in the bouquet) Cheval Blanc were also standouts, as was the fruity Blaison Timberlay.

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