By Amanda Baxter

On a Tuesday night at the end of September, 16 customers gathered at our head office to enjoy a glass of NV Champagne Calsac L'Echappee Belle whilst we waited for the fire alarm to stop going off. It had been over an hour of constant interruptions already yet we had stoically stayed put to ensure the final touches for this inaugural event were complete.

As if fate itself approved, at 6.15 as our customers were getting seated the alarms stopped. For the night. And our host for the evening – Commercial Director David Launay - took up the reigns.

He guided us through the history of the chateau, the families who had managed the estate over the years and the wines that belonged to the different eras that we were trying. We started at the oldest – 1962 - and worked towards the 2005 at David’s request, and by the end this method was universally approved. It meant that our customers did not slog through six firm young wines before reaching the more delicate 1962 but started here before the wine was too affected by oxygen and they could then go back to it and compare as we worked through the line up.

1962 Gruaud Larose

1966 Gruaud Larose

1986 Gruaud Larose

1989 Gruaud Larose

1990 Gruaud Larose

1996 Gruaud Larose

2001 Gruaud Larose

2005 Gruaud Larose

Our sincere thanks to David for helping us organise this fabulous opportunity to taste these special vintages. Also thanks to Riedel who supported us with Vinum Bordeaux glasses to enhance the wines on the night.