Warwick First Lady Pinotage 2022

Warwick The First Lady Pinotage 2022

Awards and Recognition

2019VT
Wine Spectator 2021: 89 points
Robert Parker 2021: 87 points

Product Features

A casual range. The "First Lady" series is named in honor of Norma Ratcliffe, the founder of Warwick and one of South Africa's first female winemakers. The hope is that those who purchase this wine will give it as a gift to their own First Lady, or share it with that special woman in their life. Pinotage was newly added to this series in 2020.

Manufacturer's comment

Aromas of strawberry, cherry, spice, and rose. The mouthfeel is vibrant, with light flavors of ripe plum and red berries. A dry finish is complemented by fine tannins, creating an even more appealing texture.

Food pairing

Barbecue, spare ribs, hamburgers, meatballs, curry rice with cheese, and spicy dishes.

Country of origin/region of origin

Western Cape, South Africa

Vintage

2022

*Depending on stock availability, the vintage of the wine shipped may differ from the one stated. If you have a preference regarding the vintage, please contact us before ordering.

type

Red, Medium

Main varieties

Pinotage

Alcohol content

13.00%

capacity

750ml

Producer Information

Warwick is one of South Africa's leading boutique wineries, located in the Stellenbosch region. It is a farm with a long history, dating back to 1771.
Later, in 1964, the previous owners, Stan and Norma Ratcliffe, purchased Warwick, which had been a fruit farm. They started cultivating grapes in 1981, focusing on classic Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon).
Norma Ratcliffe dedicated herself to winemaking and became one of the first female winemakers in the Cape. Warwick's "First Lady" series celebrates her achievements.
The first release of Warwick's label was in 1984. Since then, it has won numerous awards both domestically and internationally, growing and establishing itself as one of South Africa's leading brands.
The winery is located in the hilly region of the Simonsberg Mountains, known as the Stellenbosch red wine zone, at an altitude of 240-360 meters. At this high elevation, cool breezes from the southeast blow across the vineyards in spring and summer.
Warwick boasts a diverse range of slopes and varying clay-rich soil types, resulting in a unique terroir and complex, distinctive wines. The main soil types are granite-based Oakleaf and Tucle. Vineyards are situated on cool east-facing, southeast-facing, and south-facing slopes, as well as slightly warmer west-facing slopes. One of South Africa's top Cabernet Francs is produced here in Warwick, with vineyards located on south-facing and southwest-facing slopes.
One of the things we pay attention to in cultivation is minimizing irrigation in order to express the unique terroir of this farm.
Furthermore, for over a decade, we have recognized the importance of biodiversity and have strived to maintain a balance between nature and winemaking.
Our soil has a high clay content, so the need for irrigation is very low, and in some fields, irrigation is not needed at all.
Cover crops such as legumes and radishes planted in winter improve soil health, organic matter, and microbial activity, reducing the need for herbicides. As a result, the soil becomes home to many earthworms.
Furthermore, we utilize natural predators for pest control. All our cultivation management practices prioritize biodiversity. As a result, we have successfully eliminated problems with snails, weevils, and other harmful insects.
Warwick's philosophy is uncompromising when it comes to quality. We strive to provide the highest level of service in every aspect of our business. And the wine we aim for is elegance, expressed through a slightly understated, classic style.

overview

●Cap: Cork ●Cultivation: Harvested in the cool early morning hours ●Production: Destemmed, skin contact in stainless steel tanks for 4-7 days. Pump-over 3-4 times a day during this time. After pressing, malolactic fermentation. Then aged for 12 months in various types of used barrels. Lightly filtered and bottled.
●Aging potential: Vintage + 3-5 years

#South African wine