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 Red
348. Bodegas Montecillo, Rioja Gran Reserva, 1996
A very pleasant way to say goodbye to my 1-month flatmate, Lucy. Having said that, it definitely improved over days, suggesting that, as a …
347. W. & J. Graham & Co, Late Bottled Vintage Port, 1997
This one gets in not so much for being a reasonably decent LBV, but because of the abuse it survived! I’d kept this 3/4 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
334. Domaine Maume, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Champeaux, 2001
Intriguing mature Burgundy – some hints of class, coupled with some danger signs! One of the more expensive of the Optimor case. Pale garnet …
333. Two Paddocks, Pinot Noir Central Otago, 2005
So, in 2005 apparently low yields meant that Two Paddocks vinified all their parcels of land into the same cuvee (instead of First Paddock …
330. Kilikanoon, The Medley Barossa Valley Clare Valley, 2004
Another from the Optimor mixed case, and from a winery well-rated by Robert Parker. Initially, I thought this might be an overblown ‘taster’s’ wine …
329. Mannucci Droandi, Chianti Colli Aretini, 2005
This one is well out of time order because it took some time to finish the bottle and get to the label! This wasn’t …