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 
344. Château Rauzan-Gassies, 2ème Cru Classé Margaux, 1998
The ‘lesser’ Rauzan (poor cousin of Rauzan-Ségla), and in a fairly good year at best. Picked up in the poor-standard wine shop at the …
343. Champagne Jean Moutardier, Sélection Brut, NV (2006)
A product of my July 2006 trip to Champagne with Mum – some of the best weather I’ve experienced (32-34°C, dry & clear skies). …
342. Sterling Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley, 1999
Cracked another bottle of this to see its evolution, and to welcome Lucy, my 1-month flatmate! I’d say that this is coming pretty close …
341. Weingut Bründlmayer, Grüner Veltliner Kamptaler Terrassen Kamptal, 2005
Having had Bründlmayer recommended as a good producer of Grüner Veltliner, I was somewhat underwhelmed by this, and didn’t even finish the bottle. The …
340. Château Valandraud, Virginie de Valandraud Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 2000
My first Bordeaux from the lauded 2000 vintage. Jean-Luc Thunevin’s wines have recently been criticised for being “too short-lived” for ‘proper’ Bordeaux. Well, I’d …
339. Domaine des Chezeaux, Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru, 1997
A bin-end from Planet of the Grapes, and the first Chambertin Grand Cru I’ve had. I suspect that this is from a less well …
338. Schmitges, Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese Mosel, 1995
The second-last wine from the Optimor case, and the final white. A good chance to continue my New Year’s white wine resolution. I held-off …
337. Cairnbrae, Wild South Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, 2006
The 5th white from the Optimor first case, and I was slightly concerned about this because Sven had not enjoyed it – too overtly …
336. Olivier Leflaive, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Referts, 2002
Hmmm… enigmatic, this one. One of the ‘finer’ wines in the first Optimor case, so I cracked it earlier than I probably would have. …
335. Vins des Personnets, Pouilly Fuissé, 2004
A bin-end from Planet of the Grapes, billed as a decent Burgundian Chardonnay, and overall I’d agree – balanced between richness and leanness. Overall …