2020 Warwick Trilogy

Type of Wine | Red |
---|---|
Country | South Africa |
Region | |
Appellation | Stellenbosch (Appellatie) |
Winery | |
Vintage | 2020 |
Grape | , , , Syrah-Shiraz |
Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14.5%) |
Drink window | 2025 - 2040 |
- Buy 3 for 32.95 27.23 each and save 6%
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Description
One of the greatest successes, from the start, for Norma Ratcliffe, was her 'Trilogy', the proud flagship of 'her' Warwick. Bordeaux blends were taboo in South Africa for a long time, until the ban was broken by the Rubicon of Meerlust. Since then, the winemakers in the Cape have shown that they can make fantastic Bordeaux blends. The freshness of the Stellenbosch climate ensures that these are real 'classic' examples, wines that are not much inferior in freshness to 'real' Bordeaux. Unlike the Three Cape Ladies, intended for drinking young, the Trilogy is a classic wine for keeping. However, the grapes do not undergo a long fermentation on the skins, which does not last longer than about a week. This means that they must have an enormous concentration and colour when they enter the cellar. We see this in this wine, which, after maturing for 24 months in French oak, 60% of which is new, has an enormous power and concentration. Not a pussy to be handled without gloves.
The Warwick Trilogy is matured for over 27 months in 225 litre French oak barrels of which 60% are new. It has a dense, lush bouquet of red cherries, mandarin, cedar and blueberries, coffee and a touch of chocolate. The palate is medium-bodied with soft gripping tannins and juicy black fruit infused with dark chocolate and espresso. It has firm but ripe tannins with a remarkable length and complexity
FACT: In the 'Attachments' tab you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address. You can read the full wine reviews of Parker, Suckling, Vinous and Wine Spectator via the links next to the image. A free service for our customers. Need advice on finding the ideal wine for your dish. Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for customers of Grandcruwijnen.
Beef stew with carrot and bay leaf
The full structure of the stew matches the concentration of the wine, while the bay leaf accentuates the spicy components.Lamb chops with rosemary and garlic
The heartiness of the lamb and earthy spices match the ripe tannins and dark fruit character of the wine.Grilled entrecote with red wine jus and roasted vegetables
The juicy texture of the entrecote is enhanced by the depth of the wine and the roasted notes of both meat and vegetables.Ravioli filled with mushrooms and truffle oil
The umami of the mushrooms complements the earthy notes in the wine, while the creaminess of the filling contrasts nicely with the texture.Duck breast with cherry compote and sweet potato
The fruity sauce reflects the ripe black fruit of the wine, and the duck provides a rich texture and long finish.Deer with port sauce and parsnip puree
The intensity of the game and the deep sauce is beautifully carried by the strength and balance of the Warwick Trilogy, without either one dominating.
Specifications
Type of Wine | Red |
---|---|
Country | South Africa |
Region | Western Cape |
Appellation | Stellenbosch (Appellatie) |
Winery | Warwick |
Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Syrah-Shiraz |
Biological certified | No |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | No |
Vintage | 2020 |
Drinking as of | 2025 |
Drinking till | 2040 |
Alcohol % | 14.5 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 0.75 ltr |
Oak aging | Yes |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Cork |
Promotion | Tier Price |
Parker rating | 95 |
James Suckling rating | 91 |
Vinous rating | 91 |
Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Rood fruit, Tannines, Vol |
Drink moments | Indruk maken, Open haard |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 94+
Reviewed by:
Anthony Mueller
Release Price:
$75
Drink Date:
2025 - 2040
Made of 50% Cabernet Franc, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Merlot, the 2020 Warwick Estate Reserve (Trilogy) starts with a firm, earthy, mineral-driven nose with fresh cherry and black plum swaying with oak spices. Intentional or not, the wine comes in a smaller frame, clocking in at 14% alcohol. As the wine sits on the palate, it gains in complexity, showcasing terroir-specific expressions with a sense of place while capturing a touch more freshness as the wine comes into focus. Revealing a delightful mineral tension with fine-grained tannins, the mid-palate displays a balanced structure with succulent acidity that will need some time to find its cadence. Give it another year or two or enjoy it with food now. Decanting is recommended. Only 24,000 bottles were produced after the wine aged for about two years in 43% new French oak. Nicely done!
Published: Dec 29, 2023
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
91
Drinking Window
2024 - 2038
From: Growing Up ‘n Getting Wiser: South Africa in 2022 (Sep 2022)
The 2019 Trilogy represents the highest proportion of Merlot in the blend for a number of years, principally because it ripened earlier and missed the March rains. Raised in 34% new oak for 24 months, slightly shorter than previous years and undergoing a barrel selection, it has a perfumed nose with blackberry, sous-bois and tobacco, quite Bordeaux-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, gentle grip, good balance and just the right amount of pepperiness to give it lift and tension. It will need a couple of years in bottle, but overall, this is a commendable Trilogy, albeit one that lacks some of the pyrotechnics of the Cape's best.
- By Neal Martin on August 2022
Warwick is a stalwart of the Stellenbosch scene with strong branding that built a strong overseas following. Much of the momentum came from Mike Ratcliffe, who sold his stake in Warwick to focus on Vilafonté around the time of my last visit in 2018. On that trip, I was given a tour of the neighbouring estate, Uitkyk, that would considerably expand their holdings, though I have since heard that it has been sold off. Between then and now, I feel that Warwick is looking for a sense of direction. They parted ways with their U.S. importer as they distribute only family-run estates and much of the staff departed. I met with winemaker JD Pretorius at the winery, who started just after the 2018 harvest. “I think we are refining a few things,” he told me, “but I don’t want to alienate our consumer base. We are picking slightly fresher, but it’s only marginal. We have also launched two new labels, the Pitch Blanc and the Old Vine Chenin. The 2019 allowed us to reset from a stylistic point of view, and 80mm of rain before the picking meant that we harvested the Cabernets earlier than normal.” The wines that I tasted here are perfectly decent, but the bar is being constantly raised, not least in Stellenbosch, and consequently, I feel that Warwick risks being left behind. I hope that Pretorius will be given the chance to move things forward because I sensed as if recent releases were being kept on a leash and lacked the expression and nuance of their peers.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
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Wijnhuis
Without any exaggeration, we can say that Warwick Estate is today one of the leading wine companies in Stellenbosch, and even in South Africa. That, of course, does not come out of the blue. In the first place there is of course the special terroir, in a unique place: directly to the west of the monumental Simonsberg, the high mountain that dominates the region and which also determines the climate of the region.
Warwick Estate is located in a valley enclosed by the Simonsberg, Kanonkop and Klapmutskop. The historic farm, now called Warwick, was called 'Good Success' from 1791 to 1902. After the Boer War, the farm was bought by Colonel Alexander Gordon, who baptized him 'Warwick', after the army unit he served for, the Warwickshire regiment. Later the company fell into disrepair and when it was taken over by Stan & Norma Ratcliffe in 1964, there was no sign of a grape. Stan and Norma soon realized that they had acquired a special terroir for wine growing and it was not long before they decided to plant cabernet sauvignon, a grape really made for this region. These cabernet sticks yielded high quality grapes, which were in great demand among traders and other wineries for making great wines. Norma herself became more and more interested in wine making and decided to follow a training as a winemaker. Norma and Stan decided to build a cellar and in 1984 the first 'own' Warwick wine was born, a Cabernet sauvignon. Norma turned out to have the talent to make great wines and the production could increase year on year - both in quality and quantity. The Bordeaux blend Trilogy, which was launched in 1986, quickly became one of the major flagships of South African wine growing. This was emphasized when he was chosen by South African President Thabo Mbeki to be served at an official dinner for President George Bush. It is a recognition of the rare qualities of the Warwick winery. Meanwhile, winemaker Norma has stepped back after 20 years, and has been succeeded by Louis Nel, who is widely regarded as one of South Africa's most talented winemakers. And in 2001, Mike Ratcliffe, son of Norma and Stan, was appointed general manager. He graduated from the University of Adelaide with a degree in wine marketing. This makes Warwick fully equipped for the future.
One of the greatest successes, from the start, for Norma Ratcliffe, was her 'Trilogy', the proud flagship of 'her' Warwick. Bordeaux blends were taboo in South Africa for a long time, until the ban was broken by the Rubicon of Meerlust. Since then, the winemakers in the Cape have shown that they can make fantastic Bordeaux blends. The freshness of the Stellenbosch climate ensures that these are real 'classic' examples, wines that are not much inferior in freshness to 'real' Bordeaux. Unlike the Three Cape Ladies, intended for drinking young, the Trilogy is a classic wine for keeping. However, the grapes do not undergo a long fermentation on the skins, which does not last longer than about a week. This means that they must have an enormous concentration and colour when they enter the cellar. We see this in this wine, which, after maturing for 24 months in French oak, 60% of which is new, has an enormous power and concentration. Not a pussy to be handled without gloves.
The Warwick Trilogy is matured for over 27 months in 225 litre French oak barrels of which 60% are new. It has a dense, lush bouquet of red cherries, mandarin, cedar and blueberries, coffee and a touch of chocolate. The palate is medium-bodied with soft gripping tannins and juicy black fruit infused with dark chocolate and espresso. It has firm but ripe tannins with a remarkable length and complexity
FACT: In the 'Attachments' tab you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address. You can read the full wine reviews of Parker, Suckling, Vinous and Wine Spectator via the links next to the image. A free service for our customers. Need advice on finding the ideal wine for your dish. Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for customers of Grandcruwijnen.
Beef stew with carrot and bay leaf
The full structure of the stew matches the concentration of the wine, while the bay leaf accentuates the spicy components.Lamb chops with rosemary and garlic
The heartiness of the lamb and earthy spices match the ripe tannins and dark fruit character of the wine.Grilled entrecote with red wine jus and roasted vegetables
The juicy texture of the entrecote is enhanced by the depth of the wine and the roasted notes of both meat and vegetables.Ravioli filled with mushrooms and truffle oil
The umami of the mushrooms complements the earthy notes in the wine, while the creaminess of the filling contrasts nicely with the texture.Duck breast with cherry compote and sweet potato
The fruity sauce reflects the ripe black fruit of the wine, and the duck provides a rich texture and long finish.Deer with port sauce and parsnip puree
The intensity of the game and the deep sauce is beautifully carried by the strength and balance of the Warwick Trilogy, without either one dominating.
Type of Wine | Red |
---|---|
Country | South Africa |
Region | Western Cape |
Appellation | Stellenbosch (Appellatie) |
Winery | Warwick |
Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Syrah-Shiraz |
Biological certified | No |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | No |
Vintage | 2020 |
Drinking as of | 2025 |
Drinking till | 2040 |
Alcohol % | 14.5 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 0.75 ltr |
Oak aging | Yes |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Cork |
Promotion | Tier Price |
Parker rating | 95 |
James Suckling rating | 91 |
Vinous rating | 91 |
Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Rood fruit, Tannines, Vol |
Drink moments | Indruk maken, Open haard |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 94+
Reviewed by:
Anthony Mueller
Release Price:
$75
Drink Date:
2025 - 2040
Made of 50% Cabernet Franc, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Merlot, the 2020 Warwick Estate Reserve (Trilogy) starts with a firm, earthy, mineral-driven nose with fresh cherry and black plum swaying with oak spices. Intentional or not, the wine comes in a smaller frame, clocking in at 14% alcohol. As the wine sits on the palate, it gains in complexity, showcasing terroir-specific expressions with a sense of place while capturing a touch more freshness as the wine comes into focus. Revealing a delightful mineral tension with fine-grained tannins, the mid-palate displays a balanced structure with succulent acidity that will need some time to find its cadence. Give it another year or two or enjoy it with food now. Decanting is recommended. Only 24,000 bottles were produced after the wine aged for about two years in 43% new French oak. Nicely done!
Published: Dec 29, 2023
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
91
Drinking Window
2024 - 2038
From: Growing Up ‘n Getting Wiser: South Africa in 2022 (Sep 2022)
The 2019 Trilogy represents the highest proportion of Merlot in the blend for a number of years, principally because it ripened earlier and missed the March rains. Raised in 34% new oak for 24 months, slightly shorter than previous years and undergoing a barrel selection, it has a perfumed nose with blackberry, sous-bois and tobacco, quite Bordeaux-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, gentle grip, good balance and just the right amount of pepperiness to give it lift and tension. It will need a couple of years in bottle, but overall, this is a commendable Trilogy, albeit one that lacks some of the pyrotechnics of the Cape's best.
- By Neal Martin on August 2022
Warwick is a stalwart of the Stellenbosch scene with strong branding that built a strong overseas following. Much of the momentum came from Mike Ratcliffe, who sold his stake in Warwick to focus on Vilafonté around the time of my last visit in 2018. On that trip, I was given a tour of the neighbouring estate, Uitkyk, that would considerably expand their holdings, though I have since heard that it has been sold off. Between then and now, I feel that Warwick is looking for a sense of direction. They parted ways with their U.S. importer as they distribute only family-run estates and much of the staff departed. I met with winemaker JD Pretorius at the winery, who started just after the 2018 harvest. “I think we are refining a few things,” he told me, “but I don’t want to alienate our consumer base. We are picking slightly fresher, but it’s only marginal. We have also launched two new labels, the Pitch Blanc and the Old Vine Chenin. The 2019 allowed us to reset from a stylistic point of view, and 80mm of rain before the picking meant that we harvested the Cabernets earlier than normal.” The wines that I tasted here are perfectly decent, but the bar is being constantly raised, not least in Stellenbosch, and consequently, I feel that Warwick risks being left behind. I hope that Pretorius will be given the chance to move things forward because I sensed as if recent releases were being kept on a leash and lacked the expression and nuance of their peers.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Without any exaggeration, we can say that Warwick Estate is today one of the leading wine companies in Stellenbosch, and even in South Africa. That, of course, does not come out of the blue. In the first place there is of course the special terroir, in a unique place: directly to the west of the monumental Simonsberg, the high mountain that dominates the region and which also determines the climate of the region.
Warwick Estate is located in a valley enclosed by the Simonsberg, Kanonkop and Klapmutskop. The historic farm, now called Warwick, was called 'Good Success' from 1791 to 1902. After the Boer War, the farm was bought by Colonel Alexander Gordon, who baptized him 'Warwick', after the army unit he served for, the Warwickshire regiment. Later the company fell into disrepair and when it was taken over by Stan & Norma Ratcliffe in 1964, there was no sign of a grape. Stan and Norma soon realized that they had acquired a special terroir for wine growing and it was not long before they decided to plant cabernet sauvignon, a grape really made for this region. These cabernet sticks yielded high quality grapes, which were in great demand among traders and other wineries for making great wines. Norma herself became more and more interested in wine making and decided to follow a training as a winemaker. Norma and Stan decided to build a cellar and in 1984 the first 'own' Warwick wine was born, a Cabernet sauvignon. Norma turned out to have the talent to make great wines and the production could increase year on year - both in quality and quantity. The Bordeaux blend Trilogy, which was launched in 1986, quickly became one of the major flagships of South African wine growing. This was emphasized when he was chosen by South African President Thabo Mbeki to be served at an official dinner for President George Bush. It is a recognition of the rare qualities of the Warwick winery. Meanwhile, winemaker Norma has stepped back after 20 years, and has been succeeded by Louis Nel, who is widely regarded as one of South Africa's most talented winemakers. And in 2001, Mike Ratcliffe, son of Norma and Stan, was appointed general manager. He graduated from the University of Adelaide with a degree in wine marketing. This makes Warwick fully equipped for the future.