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 Tempranillo
El Fabulista: a different Rioja story
Bodega El Fabulista, “The Storyteller”, is…unusual. Named after local story writer, Felíx María Samaniego, it is one of only 2 bodegas still inside the …
244. Bodegas Roda, Roda I Rioja Reserva, 2001
The last of Otters’ contribution to Christmas 2005, and a ripe Rioja from a producer I’d not come across before. Similar quality to the …
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 …
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 …
91. Bodegas Protos, Ribera del Duero Crianza, 1996
High clarity, mid-garnet colour, with the first hints of brick at the edge. Toasty, balanced oak over intense, “focused” dark fruit (prune?) aromas – …
80. Bodegas Rodero-Villa, Pago de los Capellanes, Ribera del Duero Tinto Crianza, 1997
A random purchase in Banyoles 2002. A “quite” bottle – quite pleasant, quite full-bodied, quite drinkable. Classic deep garnet colour. Strongly oaked aromas which …
35. Bodegas Valduero, Valduero Ribera del Duero Reserva, 1995
Very smooth (velvety?) deep red wine. Dark berry flavours (if memory serves at the time of writing). Restaurant price was 6,250 ESP, I think …
24. Bodegas Valduero, Valduero Ribera del Duero Crianza, 1995
Apparently a silver medallist according to Tesco. Lightly oaky with rich dark fruit aroma. Smooth blackcurrant flavour with some tannin dryness? Very drinkable whatever.
18. Grandes Bodegas Marques de Velilla, Ribera del Duero Tinto Fino Joven, 1996
Rich dark fruit (mainly blackcurrant), but with a jamminess. Light vanilla oak, and bizarrely this left an appley aroma at the end, reminiscent of …