Handford Wines

Sherwood Berriman Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc 2004, Constantia Valley, South Africa Quite simply, 2004 was a sensational vintage in South Africa, yielding incredibly pure, intense wines throughout the Western Cape. In cool climate Constantia Valley, the grapes were healthy and perfectly ripe and produced wonderfully balanced wines with power, concentration and elegant length. Alcohols were moderate and acidities crisp and fresh due to a long late ripening season. Many reds, including the Sherwood Berriman 2004, are more age worthy than either the 2003s or 2002s. With an extra bit of Cabernet Sauvignon in the 2004, this wine oozes class. Dusty mineral laden redcurrants, cassis and cherry fruit on the nose harks back to the Bordeaux Cru Classé greats. While the 2003 vintage had a firmly plump and soft right bank / St Emilion feel about it, the 2004 is a little more powerful and intense in structure and concentration and generally more reminiscent of an AOC Saint Julien or Graves. The palate, even at this early stage after bottling, is soft, integrated and beautifully textured. The intensity of red and black fruits is tantalising. Beautiful natural grape acids balance the fine powdery tannins and make for a thoroughly Old World style Bordeaux red. What elegance and restraint! Tasted blind, ones palate instantly sends the drinker to £20 plus red Bordeaux territory, highlighting the excellent value this Constantia wine represents. Aged in 300 litre French Oak barrels for over 14 months and in bottle for almost 6 months, the 2004 will be ready for drinking upon release but will reward further aging for 5 to 8 years in a cellar before reaching its maturity plateau. A wonderfully classy expression of Constantia Valley terroir that reinforces the region’s "old world structure with new world fruit" style of red wine that’s widely vaunted by connoisseurs globally. A perfect wine for roast leg of Welsh or Karoo Lamb with rosemary seasoning or even just good old traditional English roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Score: 92+/100 GWS Aug 2006 [Updated] July 2007 Recently rated in UK's Wine magazine as one of their star picks, scoring a sensational 91/100!

Single Bottle: £14.99

In a case of 12: £14.24