The
wines of
Warwick Estate,
Stellenbosch, South Africa
PO Box 2, Muldersvlei 7607, South Africa
Tel: (021) 884 4410 Fax: (021) 884 4025
E-mail: mike@warwickwine.co.za
Website: www.warwickwine.co.za
UK agent: Louis Latour Ltd (020 7409 7276)
From this tasting, Warwick Estate appears to be towards the
front of the pack of South African wineries. Mike Ratcliffe (right), who comes
across as shrewd and personable (and is still only 30!), explained how Warwick are continuing
to invest in the vineyards, which currently cover 57 ha. Most
interesting to me is the way that they are adopting precision
agriculture techniques to monitor the small-scale variations in
climate and soil, and target treatments appropriately. The tools for
this include pre-harvest satellite photography, a new drip irrigation
system and mesoclimatic temperature sensors placed at intervals. They
have also tried going round the vineyard at veraison (when the grapes
change colour) and marking those bunches that change first (apparently
there’s quite a difference in bunch development). These are then
harvested before the others. This sounds highly labour intensive, and
I’m not sure how widely it’s practiced, but it is indicative of
the forward-thinking philosophy here. Don’t worry though: while the
viticulture is state-of-the art, the wines aren’t too modern.
Rather, they show a fair bit of old world elegance, and are worth
looking out for.
Developments
for the future include a new Sauvignon Blanc, named Professor Black.
First vintage (2002) yielded just 800 bottles, but within a few
vintages this is expected to rise to 17 000 cases. For this, it is
likely that Warwick will be taking advantage of the very recent change
in the rules which now allows wine Estates to utilize bought in grapes
and still use the name of the estate on the label. h
Chardonnay 2001
From a 1.5 ha single vineyard plot on the coolest part of the
farm, this spends 5 months in new French oak. Lovely intense nutty
nose is quite elegant with well-integrated oak and some complexity.
Rich, attractive texture on the palate, with nice acidity and a lemony
edge: it works really well. First vintage of the Chardonnay was 1991,
and this grape represents just 3–4% of the portfolio. Very
good/excellent (£6.99 Waitrose)
Chardonnay 1999
A deeper golden yellow colour, this is more mature with a nutty
nose showing a caramel edge. Quite complex, nutty palate is still
quite fresh. Mature but drinking well now. I’d have preferred it a
little younger. Very good+
Bush Vine Pinotage 1999
From 32 year old vines, 2000 cases of this were made. The
philosophy with this wine is not to produce anything too flashy, but
instead make a softer, consumer-friendly wine. No new oak is used,
which tends to overwhelm Pinotage. Warwick are currently building up
their Pinotage blend, so they are making progressively less straight
Pinotage. Vivid cherry red colour. Lovely sweet cherry and berry fruit
on the nose which is very forward and accessible. The palate is nice
and juicy with a slightly meaty/cheesy edge. Delicious stuff: juicy
and fun, but with enough interest to hold the attention. Very
good/excellent
Three Cape Ladies 1998
A blend of Pinotage (25%), Merlot (35%) and Cabernet Sauvignon
(40%), first made in 1997. 1200 cases produced. The nose shows lovely
chalky-edged berry fruit with a slightly spicy, meaty edge. Lovely
tight spicy palate with juicy berry fruit: quite structured but tasty.
Extremely appealing. Very good/excellent
(Production of this wine, which has been highly successful, is going
to rise over coming vintages)
Cabernet Franc 1999
Lighter colour with a slightly fading rim. Lovely chalky berry
fruit on the nose which is quite minerally. Juicy palate shows good
concentration, tight berry fruit and a chalky edge, together with some
leafy notes. Wonderful stuff in a restrained, classy style, showing
good varietal character. The 1999 is the 14th vintage. Very
good/excellent
1999 Merlot
Subtle, leafy-edged cherry fruit on the nose. Juicy, lively
balanced palate with tight, ripe berry fruit and some tannins. Very
good+
1999 Cabernet Sauvignon
The 18th vintage of this wine. Trademark classy Warwick nose with
a spicy edge to the cassis and berry fruit. Substantial palate with
firm, spicy tannins: quite structured, and with its tannic, mineralic
character this needs time. Very
good/excellent
Trilogy 1999
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet
Franc. Produced since 1985. Expressive nose shows some spiciness and
is not excessively fruity. Chunky, dense, spicy palate shows great
balance and is quite rich, with a slight sweetness to the fruit.
Lovely. Very good/excellent
wines tasted May
2002; article posted September 2002; revised February 2003
Update:
some more wines tasted in May 2003
Professor Black
Sauvignon Blanc 2002
A new project for Warwick, taking advantage of the new-found
popularity of South African Sauvignon Blanc. It has a nice, forward
grassy nose with some nice ripe tropical fruit notes. Good
concentration of grassy fruit on the palate. Nice style, balancing
ripeness with a crisp freshness very successfully. Very good+ 89/100
Chardonnay 2002
Very nice intensity of fruit and oak. Mainly tropical fruit but with
good acidity and well integrated oak. Very good+ 88/100
Trilogy 2000
Nice ripe slightly meaty nose showing some blackcurrant and berry
fruit. The Cabernet Franc makes its presence felt with some slightly
herbaceous notes. A nice wine. Very good+ 88/100
see also:
Back to top
|