Mission Codename Her highness
Warwick Estate Reserve is SOLD OUT!
But we have another Warwick gem line up…
These are the wines Neal Martin for Vinous must have had in mind when he wrote “South Africa is frankly unbeatable in terms of quality-to-price ratio.”
Cabernet lovers! When’s the last time you had a South African Cab that totally SMASHED expectations?
Maybe never? Well, this will make you a believer. It ticks all the boxes. Nearly 50% OFF an already excellent original retail price… Adorned with great scores - 96 points (plus a 93) from critics. Still, most importantly it’s deemed DELICIOUS by us.
This single-vineyard, 100% Cabernet will please anyone who loves big, warm, overt California Cabs. In fact, tasted blind there’s a good chance you’d think Napa Cab. The one big difference? You’d spend 2-3x more on a Napa/Bordeaux to get this level of quality.
Warwick Estate has been making wines for nearly 200 years, and this comes from a few prime plots in the Simonsberg-Stellenbosch Ward, one of the premier sub-regions in Stellenbosch. A “ward” is basically a unique plot of land with vineyards that set it apart. Similar to a Cru in Burgundy, for example.
Circling back to the wine, it’s generously ripe with a core of black and blue fruits. Think blueberry, black currant, cassis and warm black plums with violets, vanilla, spices, sweet tobacco, mocha. Raised for 24 months in French Oak, with soft, sweet tannins to round it out and a little perk of acidity to keep the line moving in an orderly fashion. We’re picky about South African wines, but this won our unanimous approval in a big way. Prepare to be wowed!
We only hope there’s enough for everyone to experience it.
96 Points – Platters South African Wine Guide
“Stylish expression from 3 own parcels, blueberry & herbaceous notes, cassis & violet, lengthy 36-day post-ferment skin maturation & well-judged 24 months oak, 36% new, deliver beautiful chalky tannins. Approachable, but enough structure for confident aging.”
93 Points - Tim Atkin
“The Blue Lady uses Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from three separate blocks picked over a period of ten days. Big, rich, dense and textured, with mocha oak, well-managed tannins and plenty of flesh and power.”
What the Winery Says
2018 'The Blue Lady' Stellenbosch Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winemaker
- Johannes Diederick
- Varietals
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vintage
- 2018
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Appellation
- Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Vineyard
- 100% Warwick Estate
- TA
- 6.6 g/l
- PH
- 3.49
- Aging
- 24 months
- Barrels
- 100% French oak (36% new)