695. Château Laville, Sauternes, 2001 
694. Château Sociando-Mallet, Cru Bourgeois Haut-Médoc, 2001 
693. Mas Amiel, Prestige 15 Ans d’Age Maury, NV (2006) 
692. Rey Fernando de Castilla, Antique Palo Cortado Sherry, NV (2012) 
691. Equipo Navazos, I Think Saca de Abril de 2012 En Rama Manzanilla Sherry, NV (2012) 
690. Château Lascombes, Chevalier de Lascombes Margaux, 2004 Reserva
679. Bodegas Domecq de Jarauta, Viña Marro Rioja Reserva, 2005
As a conference presentation thank you gift, not too bad. But ultimately a mid-range, modern-style Rioja, that was pleasant enough, but not radically inspiring. …
648. Bodegas Las Orcas, Decenio Rioja Reserva, 1999
1st bottle was a bit grubby, with dead fruit and grating tannins. The 2nd fortunately proved that this was simply corked. In fact, this …
624. Bodegas Campillo, Rioja Reserva, 2004
Confirming the quality of the 2004 vintage once again, this is a good quality, and at the price, good value Rioja. Deep ruby colour …
525. Esporão, Alentejo Reserva, 2006
Another wine enjoyed over dinner in Avis, and another quasi-local one as well, from Alentejo. Came across as lighter than the 2003 Mouchão, though …
456. Ramos Pinto, Duas Quintas Douro Reserva, 2004
Another from the 3rd Optimor Case, and this a blend based primarily on Touriga Nacional. Deep, slightly opaque ruby colour; youthful, dense and with …
394. Luigi Bosca, Malbec Reserva, 2004
Good example of why Argentine Malbec is making a lot of friends in the Global wine market! Definitely trumped the Lagrazette Cahors for pleasure. …
La Rioja Alta: benchmark classical Riojas especially top flight Gran Reservas
La Rioja Alta, established in Haro in 1890, is certainly one of the major players in high quality, traditionally-styled Rioja. In their top pair …
Marqués de Murrieta: Rioja aristocracy built around Castillo Ygay
There are many Rioja bodegas with the vaunted title Marqués in their name – Riscal, Cacéres, Concordia inter alia. In the UK, those of …
CVNE: Combining volume and classical quality
CVNE, the Compania Vinicola del Norte de España, is popularly known as Cune (‘koo-nay’) in Spain – so much so that they adopted Cune …
Contino: Château-style Rioja and Graciano pioneers
Contino were the first Rioja bodega to be set up in the mode of a Bordeaux château, with estate grapes from vineyards surrounding the …