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.
134. Roc de l’Espinas, Syrah Vin de Pays de la Haute Vallée de l’Aude, 2002
…compared with this one (also from the same Laithwaites) which, whilst MUCH less complex, expresses powerfully the pepper aspect of Syrah. Aromas (tinged bizarrely …
133. Rossetto Wines, Circular Quay Bin 30 Shiraz South Eastern Australia, 2003
At last, a half-way decent wine from Laithwaites. Dark plum colour. Rich and warm aromas of dark fruit (blackberry?) coupled with coffee / mocha …
132. Oceana, Coastal Chardonnay Central Coast California, 1997
One of the best VFM bottles of wine I’ve had for a while. A Majestic “parcel” of sort-of bin-end, older wine, and what a …
131. Waimea Estates, Pinot Noir Nelson, 2002
An excellent recommendation for NZ Pinot Noir from Majestic’s managers choice page. Complex and pretty full-bodied (and at 14%, ripe!). An excellent alternative to …
130. Kokuryu, Daiginjo Nihonshu, Fukui, 2003
This Japanese sake has the coolest name “Kokuryu”, or Black Dragon, from Fukui prefecture. This is a daiginjo grade Sake with up to 50% …
129. King & Barnes, Christmas Ale Bottle Conditioned, 1995
A random beer entry, but one that had to go in. Some history here! When I first cooked Christmas puddings, following my late grandmother’s …
128. Paul Jaboulet Aine, Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert, 1999
1997 Meysonniers: 7.6 (7) – slightly darker than the ’95 with Port-like notes and strawberry, coupled with caramel. Balanced, spicy flavour with some red …
127. M. Chapoutier, Crozes-Hermitage Les Meysonniers, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999
A vertical tasting with friends – my first! Happened to end up with a range of these Crozes-Hermitages, starting with the 1995 (above label, …
126. Paul Jaboulet Aine, Cornas, 1998
Dark red colour but with brick-reddish tinge (over-quick ageing?). Coal-smoke licked aromas of dark fruit – damson or black cherry. Quite tannic but generally …
125. Mitchelton Wines, Thomas Mitchell Marsanne South Eastern Australia, 2002
Another step in my “explore more interesting whites” move. Not bad overall – my first Marsanne wine. The back label discussed honeysuckle and citrus, …