Warwick Estate Trilogy

Wine information: Warwick Estate remains a family run and owned winery. Managing Director Michael Ratcliffe is the 3rd generation family member to oversee this high quality boutique operation that has been lauded globally for excellence and consistency. Warwick Estate has a long history. It was known as the De Goede Sukses Farm from 1771 until 1902 when it was bought by Colonel William Alexander Gordon, Commanding Officer of the Warwickshire regiment decided against returning to England and bought the farm. He renamed it ‘Warwick’ as a tribute to his regiment. Stan Ratcliffe bought the estate on April 1st 1964 after a search for the best vineyard sites in the the Cape. Together with his new bride Norma , they soon realized the potential of the extraordinary property and began planting Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon vines produced high quality grapes, which were soon in demand from neighbouring wineries. Norma became more and more interested in the making of wine and began to study the subject. Soon a cellar was in place and in 1984 the first ‘legal’ Warwick vintage was released (a Cabernet Sauvignon). It seemed Norma had the talent for making great wines and production soon increased. Warwick Estate Trilogy is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 64%, Merlot 18% and Cabernet Franc 18%. Each component was harvested and vinified separately. The wine was kept on the skins no longer than 7 days. The components where then allowed to finish malolactic fermentation in barrel and then aged in French oak Barriques (225 litre barrels) for 24 months. The new wood component is 60%.

Tasting Notes: Warwick Estate Trilogy displays an intense brick red dark colour. On the nose the wine expresses intense Cedar, herbaceous spiciness and lots of wild berries and black olive aromas. On the pallet the full rounded feel of the well ripened tannins slowly gives way to roasted almonds, vanilla and coffee flavours, and another hit of wild berries on the aftertaste. Decanting when young will give more pleasure and aroma.

Food & Wine match: Try with veal, game and intensely flavoured stews or even a bitter chocolate dessert.

 
     

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