Oliver Bartle

What is your most memorable wine experience?

Back in 2017 I was invited to an evening at Chateau Haut-Brion during the annual En Primeur week in the Spring. As well as a tasting of the mind-blowing 2016’s prior to dinner, we were treated to a delicious meal alongside Jean-Philippe Delmas who re-counted some wonderful stories, including how the team approached the challenging heat of the 2003 vintage. To our delight the 100 point legend was served all evening and it is a wine that will stay fresh in my mind for the rest of my life.

If you could choose any wine from the CV Top 100, what would it be and why?

I had the pleasure of enjoying a bottle of 1976 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon over lunch with a client last Summer, at the terrific Chez Bruce in Wandsworth. It is a producer whom I have got to know extremely well over recent years but I had never had the chance to taste this legendary vintage until then. Still so youthful and full of energy, I can only hope another opportunity arises to open another bottle, but given the rarity I’m not holding my breath!

You’re throwing a dinner party and can invite anyone, dead or alive. Who do you invite and what would be your signature food and wine pairing?

For me the perfect dinner party at home should be full of great characters who can tell interesting stories but most importantly, can have a laugh. I would have to invite Sir Elton John, Alan Curbishley & Peter Kay. I prefer to keep food simple at home and you cannot go wrong with a perfectly cooked Boeuf Bourguignon paired with a bottle of 1989 Haut-Brion. For dessert it’s a full bottle of 2001 D’Yquem with tarte-tartin.