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 Book 1
Category for all posts of wine labels and their texts from wine book number 1, from late 1998 – Christmas 2004, all of which are indexed here.
44. Maison François Martenot, Gevrey-Chambertin, 1996
For a regular AOC Gevrey-Chambertin selected at midnight in a cash ‘n’ carry in Calais, the result was unexpected and pleasant. Deep Burgundy with …
43. Cantine Rocca Ripalta, Barolo, 1995
I thought I’d see if my Italian prejudices were wrong with a Barolo at a reasonably high price. Sadly I was right. Italian wine …
42. Domaine Bertagna, Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits “Les Dames Huguettes” Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes Unfiltered, 1998
The ultimately most bastard hard label to remove! A not expensive Burgundy with a nice balance of oak to smooth fruit. Hautes Côtes seems …
41. Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix, Celliers du Vieux Château, Chablis Premier Cru Côte de Lechet, 1995
One of the most bastard difficult labels I’ve ever chosen to remove… but a nice premier cru. Straw-yellow colour betrays the depth of the …
40. Montana Wines, Marlborough Riesling, 2000
Marlborough proves itself as a region for reliable Riesling as well as Sauvignon Blanc. This was a fresh, limey wine with depth, but not …
39. Bodegas Domecq, Marqués de Arienzo Rioja Reserva, 1994
Well blended dark fruit and oak. Garnet red colour tinged with brown. Blackcurrant fruit blends with chocolatey aromas. Still plenty of tannin, suggesting would …
38. M. Chapoutier, Côtes-du-Rhône Belleruche, 1999
Black pepper – a lot. Quite gum-dry, suggesting relatively high tannin levels. Should age OK for a year-or-two. Another fine Belleruche from Chapoutier. Black …
37. Maurice Vesselle, Champagne Brut Grand Cru Cuvée Réservée, NV
A recommendation of an ex-manager, François, and a stroke of genius. Deep gold colour. A full-bodied crisp Champagne. Apricot + yeasty aromas suggests a …
36. Association des Producteurs du Cru “Juliénas”, Juliénas, 1996
Bought in 1997 in the village. Surprisingly weighty Beaujolais – dark and fruity – cherry I think. The 1998, however, was considerably less impressive. …
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 …