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.
174. Mont Tauch, Hommage Fitou, 1999
Full-flavour and pretty concentrated wine that made easy drinking – if a little short (only medium length overall). Deep black-garnet colour, with some bricking …
173. Château Hauterive le Haut, Faïti Corbières, 2001
The premium cuvée of Hauterive le Haut in Corbières and another great piece of value-for-money winemaking. This has an extra layer of complexity, coupled …
172. Abbée de Chimay, Chimay Bleu, 1993, 1997, 2004
An unusual vertical tasting this: of 3 vintages of Chimay Bleu 33cl Trappist ales! This was made possible by a visit to the Chimay …
171. Beaulieu Vineyard, BV Reserve Chardonnay Carneros Napa Valley, 2001
Product of my first visit to Napa Valley, and Diageo’s vineyards’ VIP Experiences… and the staff discounts! They made this a good-value Chardonnay from …
170. Martinelli, Zinfandel “Giuseppe & Luisa” Russian River Valley Sonoma County, 2002
So, 2 benchmark Zinfandels on the same page! Both from my San Francisco trip, and visited both wineries, but they’d run out of this …
169. A. Rafanelli, Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Sonoma County, 2002
[On label: To Tim the label nut! David Rafanelli] [On book: Salute and Bona Fortuna. David A. Rafanelli] Visiting Rafanelli was great fun, because …
168. Mount Veeder Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 1996
Wow! A really, very pleasant surprise. Also bought from Tracey’s Mum’s place near Nahant, where the guy had described it as a eucalyptus-style classic …
167. Domaine des Petits Quarts, Bonnezeaux, 2001
From a “not great”, early maturing year in Côteaux du Layon, this is excellent VFM. Bought at the producer’s hard-to-find vineyard shop on an …
166. Cakebread Cellars, Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley, 2003
A disappointing wine, because it lacked the freshness and zip of a good quality Sauvignon Blanc. This may be a style issue, since this …
165. Château Villemagne, Corbieres, 1994
In spite of its 10 year age, still had a strong enough fruit core and sufficient tannin to age further (and possibly improve, but …