Sir Ian Botham Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
The final wine in the current line-up is sourced from Botham’s great friend and winemaker Geoff Merrill, who the cricketer has worked with for almost 20 years under the Botham Merrill Willis label, shortened to BMW.
In fact, Botham admits that the Cabernet he was shown by Merrill for this range-topping red was so good, it was the only wine in the line-up that the cricketer didn’t “tamper” with.
And one can understand why, with this particular offer being a highlight in the range, combining intense blackcurrant fruit, and a hint of mintiness, along with notes of dark chocolate and cedar.
Although it is a powerful wine, it doesn’t show too much sweetness, or alcohol warmth, and has a mouth-cleansing fine dense tannic structure. It may be from the 2014 vintage, but it still seems youthful, with plenty of years ahead of it to evolve and develop further complexity.
Score: 95
RRP: £30
ABV: 14.5%
Closure: Natural cork
