2015 Warwick Estate Cabernet Franc
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Tasting notes
Smoky, dark-chocolate aromas. Only a little herby note. High acid to clean the finish. Almost austere. Perfumed violet aromas linger on the length. (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Cabernet Franc comes from a 24-year-old parcel, picked in the early morning, cold-soaked for 3 to 5 days and subjected to a week’s post-maceration with malo in tank. It was aged in 30% new oak for 26 months. The fresh bouquet is more Bordeaux-inspired than Loire, featuring blackberry, cedar, freshly picked mint, and a hint of crushed violet that develops with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, a fine line of acidity, and touches of bell pepper infusing the grainy, nicely structured finish. This is a fine varietal that shows what can be done with Stellenbosch Cabernet Franc.
About the producer
With vineyards at the foot of the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch, Warwick Estate is one of South Africa’s most established wine producers. The Ratcliffe family converted the farm to viticulture and started making Bordeaux-inspired blends in the 1980s, including its flagship Trilogy.