In case you missed it, I’ve just released my interview with Sir Ian Botham for The Vincast, which I recorded in late November 2018 just before I had the chance to taste the following wines from the inaugural release of Ian Botham Wines. Here are my first impressions, I was generally very impressed with them, particularly at the entry level, all of excellent quality for the price.
Botham All Rounder Chardonnay 2018 – RRP $14.00
Peach cobbler, lemon butter. Very clean and fresh, fairly broad and simple but decent depth, freshness disappears a bit, more melon on the palate than stone or citrus fruits.
76 Series Margaret River Chardonnay 2018 – RRP $17.99
Very delicate flint and smoke, lemon pith and some pepper notes, opens up to a bit more grassy on the nose with some stone fruits on the back. Denser and finer on the palate, focus without the flesh, a bit more bite.
Sir Ian Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2017 – RRP $100.00
Oak stands out right off the back, smoky floral note. Even denser, sweeter vanilla notes, good fleshy but fine fruit notes, very elegant but fuller.
All Rounder Shiraz 2018 – RRP $14.00
Really exuberant and powerful blue fruits, a little bit of sweet salty meat, some dried florals and spice. Dried red fruits, soft but fairly fresh, looks like a blend. Dry finish.
81 Series Barossa Shiraz 2017 – RRP $17.99
Meaty tomato almost Bolognese sauce, kind of leafy, a bit of basil. Warm generous good balance of dried fruit and slightly savoury elements, decent freshness and no apparent oak.
Sir Ian Barossa Valley Single Vineyard Shiraz 2013 – RRP $100.00
Super intense, not showing any age at all. Still showing a think fog of oak at first, extremely dense and dark on the nose, vanilla and blueberries. It’s there but the oak is dominating, hard to see where it may be in five years but doesn’t look like it’s losing anything, certainly appeals to a palate, not mine though. I get it.
80 Series Coonawarra Cabernet 2016 – RRP $17.99
Unmistakable Coonawarra Cabernet, eucalyptus and cigar leaf, a bit soapy and minty. Decent focus, good balance, soft yet not broad or bruised tannins, good tannins.
The Intrepid Wino 