Bottega: quality Prosecco and Prosecco Rosé 
Book 5 Index 
951. Mullineux, Syrah Swartland, 2011 
950. W & J Graham & Co, 30 Year Old Tawny Port, NV (2010) 
949. Cartuxa, Pêra-Manca Branco Évora, 2012 
948. Pella, Xi-Ro Cuvée Experimentale, NV Spain
231. El Coto de Rioja, Rioja Reserva Coto Real, 2000
On the recommendation of the Guía Peñin mini-guide (a great idea for anyone thinking of doing a wine score guide, by the way!). I …
228. Marqués de Riscal, Rioja Gran Reserva, 1995
Doesn’t leave much room for comment, which is a pity. Much more satisfying than the Cáceres alongside! Good quality, well-balanced Gran Reserva. Light-medium garnet …
215. Bodegas Montecillo, Rioja Gran Reserva, 1994
Oh, now this is good!! From opening the bottle and pouring, showed a really intense nose – initially almost perfumed like roses or violets …
206. Baron de Ley, Rioja Gran Reserva, 1994
Medium-light garnet core fading out to a distinctly brick rim. Didn’t decant this Gran Reserva, so bouquet development happened in the glass: from a …
190. Marques de Murrieta, Rioja Reserva Especial Single Vineyard Prado Lagar, 1995
Bloody label… Light-medium intensity garnet colour with mid-brick rim. I first feared corking, with slightly astringent rubbery notes. These then gave way to simple …
164. Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana, Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja Alta, 1990
…which had a similar colour profile, but the bouquet was a softer, better blended, more toasty, coffee-like oak and spice profile. Residual red fruit …
163. Bodegas Domecq, Marques de Arienzo Gran Reserva Rioja Alavesa, 1989
Bugger of a label. Pretty nice Gran Reserva, that was certainly ready to drink. Medium garnet core with browning rim. Slightly “varnishy” oak over …
152. Bodegas Valduero, Ribera del Duero Primium Reserva Especial, 1995
Trying to complete the Valduero set! Not as good VFM here, but good drinking over several days. On opening, banana on nose, giving quickly …
147. Baron de Oña, Rioja Reserva, 1996
Not a big-name Rioja in UK at all, but bought in Madrid airport on the recommendation of the “Guia Penin”, the Spanish equivalent of …
146. Bodegas Alejandro Fernandez, Pesquera Tinto Ribera del Duero, 1996
I had drunk this a couple of times before so had to get some when in Banyoles. Served in 2004 with lots of Italian …