2021 Warwick Blue Lady

PRE-SALE OFFER - WINE EXPECTED END OF MAY 2026

The Warwick Blue Lady is the flagship of the top South African winery Warwick . It is a wine derived from a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and traces back to the very first wine produced under the Warwick label, released in 1984 under the label called "La Femme Bleu". An example of Quintessential Simonsberg Cabernet – powerful and rich, and with enormous aging potential.

The Cabernet grapes from the single vineyard are harvested by hand over a period of four days. The harvest began in the early morning and stopped before the temperature reached 28°C. The grape bunches are destemmed, gently crushed, and sorted by hand. The wine is first macerated at a cold temperature to extract color before fermentation starts. An isolated yeast culture from Bordeaux was added, and a warm, short fermentation was performed with daily pump-overs. After fermentation, the wine was left on the skins for a week to allow the tannins to polymerize. A light pressing was performed, after which the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Aging took place in medium to lightly toasted French oak barrels for 18 months. The wine was then bottled with only very light filtration and subsequently undergoes a further 12 months of bottle aging.

The Blue Lady is (dark) garnet red. On the nose, we detect primarily blackberries and crème de cassis with hints of graphite and tobacco leaves, all combined to promise a mouthful of power. The full-bodied wine has a lush texture and a richness of fruit with complex layers that you must peel back as you sip; expect savory notes ranging from roasted meat to fresh violets, coffee, and a mineral element. The Blue Lady offers intensity and purity, with a balanced symmetry that is pure poetry. Parker concludes his review with: "...The Blue Lady is one of the bigger red wines in this report from South Africa."

Near Stellenbosch, on the road to Paarl, lies Warwick Estate. This winery has a long history dating back to 1791. Between 1791 and 1920, it bore a different name called "Good Succes." This name was changed by the then-owner, Alexander Gordon, to Warwick, after the Warwickshire Regiment in which he served. In 1964, Stan and Norma Ratcliffe purchased the estate and began planting Cabernet Sauvignon. At that time, they sold the grapes and did not use them for their own production, even though Norma wanted to. She studied winemaking, and a wine cellar was built. Warwick's first vintage was 1984. For several years now, Stan and Norma's son, Mike, has been at the helm of the company. He is assisted by winemaker Louis Nel.

Warwick wines are certified organic, which means that no artificial fertilizers, chemical pesticides, or pest control agents such as herbicides are used. At Warwick, they go a step further, where the positions of the sun and moon determine the harvesting and pruning activities.

FUN FACT: The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to pick it up, you will also receive a nice discount. We are located almost next to the highway with ample parking. Click here for the address.