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 Cabernet Sauvignon
198. Château d’Armailhac, Grand Cru Classé Pauillac, 1997
Nice and dependable example of Cru Bordeaux. Well crafted, even if it wouldn’t set the world on fire. Deep garnet core, fading to a …
197. Château Ste Michelle, Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyard, 1997
My first Washington State wine, courtesy of Diageo free product! Mature deep intensity colour: garnet-to-brick. On breathing, opened into toasty oak spice with eucalyptus …
193. Château Cos d’Estournel, Les Pagodes de Cos Saint-Estèphe, 1998
€40 in a restaurant is a good price for this. Actually drank in Ryan’s on Parkgate St, Dublin. This is a food-wine, I think, …
189. Beaulieu Vineyard, BV Reserve Tapestry Napa Valley, 2000
Deep garnet with narrow rim. Early maturity in colour. Fruit-led but maturing aromas: red and blackcurrants, plus dried cherries, with distinct hints of cigar …
185. Château Montrose, Saint-Estèphe, 1997
Again, drank over Christmas, so written too long after drinking. Good fit with roast venison. Matured. Garnet-to-brick colouring Well knitted fruit and secondary aromas, …
Top 5 grape varieties of the moment
There are 1,368 commercially-grown grape varieties documented in the above great tome. I will never taste them all, but I have tasted a fair …
Chianti Classico: a four-dimensional view of the beating heart of Tuscany
By invitation through the IMW, 4 Tuscan Consorzi, representing the finest in gastronomic production from primarily the Chianti Classico region, ran a press trip …
177. Sterling Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley, 1997
Product of my first visit to Napa Valley, with my friend Emily. 38C on the verandah at the vineyard’s winery, on top of a …
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 …
154. Château Latour, Les Forts de Latour Pauillac, 1975
Very pleasant way of celebrating my 29th birthday – completing the set of Latour 1975s! Found this on eBay, and a pretty good piece …