First the fizz:
Pongrácz Methode Cap Classique Cuvée Brut N.V. (South Africa, Western Cape)
Made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the traditional method, an explosion of small bubbles that don't end and with a classic taste. Very refreshing and a super aperitif.
followed by
Château Tour St Bonnet 2015 (France, Bordeaux, Médoc)
I have bought Tour St Bonnet annually for 50 years. I bought a dozen of these en premieur in 2016 which were delivered in 2018 and I'd drunk them all. And I've visited the family run estate. Then in October Victoria Moore wrote in The Daily Telegraph that it 'closed its doors' last year, part of the fallout from the decline in wine drinking in France and worldwide. The only bright note was The Wine Society had managed to buy up stocks of the 2015 and 2016 from the estate at advantageous prices. So as soon as they became available I bought 6 of each.
Now at 10 years this won't improve further. Showing signs of maturity, but not much deposits, I decanted it about 30 minutes before dinner. Drinking beautifully, textbook left-bank claret, subdued cabernet with a strengthening of tannins. A really nice fine drinking wine.
Paired with Lamb Shanks, roast parsnip & potatoes, pointed cabbage and cauliflower florets. Lamb and Claret - a classic pairing.