Cabernet Franc

Pairs well with roast lamb, grilled poultry, duck and herb-driven dishes. Its freshness and fine tannins also complement mushroom-based dishes and semi-hard cheeses.

Fruit is sourced from Warwick’s estate vineyards in Stellenbosch, where decomposed granite soils and moderate slopes contribute structure and freshness. Cooling afternoon breezes help extend the ripening period, allowing Cabernet Franc to develop aromatic complexity while retaining natural acidity.

The wine is matured in French oak barrels for a period designed to refine tannins and integrate flavour, using a restrained proportion of new oak to support the fruit rather than dominate it. Exact maturation duration not published.

Grapes are fermented using traditional red winemaking techniques with controlled temperatures and gentle extraction to preserve aromatics and fine tannin structure. Malolactic fermentation takes place before maturation, with individual parcels handled separately prior to final blending.

Warwick Estate lies in a valley enclosed by the Simonsberg Kanonkop and Klapmutskop. Originally part of a vast piece of land known as Good Success this eighteenth century farm belonged to Colonel Alexander Gordon who renamed his portion in honour of the Warwickshire regiment which he commanded during the Boer War. Years later in 1964 Stan Ratcliffe bought Warwick where with considerable foresight he began planting the precious Cabernet Sauvignon vines which are still a major part of the production today. These vines produced high quality grapes and became highly sought after by wholesalers and other wineries. However it took the arrival of Norma Ratcliffe Stan's beautiful and energetic wife in 1971 for the family to begin making a few experimental wines from Cabernet Sauvignon. The early results were very encouraging and served to extol the virtues of what is surely some of the best terroir in South Africa. Michael Ratcliffe Norma's son has now taken over as proprietor in Stan's retirement and has wasted no time in stamping his personality on the Estate. A host of new innovative techniques learnt during his postgraduate wine studies in Australia are being implemented aimed at maximizing the potential of the Warwick terroir. Under Michael's leadership the Warwick team is striving to take the next step in quality.