Warwick Estate Trilogy Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, 2016

Trilogy is Warwick’s flagship wine and became an icon wine for Stellenbosch and South Africa. Produced every year since 1986, it was conceived as a tri-varietal Bordeaux style wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet franc and Merlot. The blend was predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon until 2015, when Cabernet Franc took the lead for the first time. The 2016 blend is also dominated by Cabernet Franc at 51% combined with 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot. The bouquet comprises notes of red cherries, leather and smoke. More cherry fruits and flavours of redcurrants emerge on the palate, complemented by vanilla and toast. It is medium to full bodied with great concentration and some firm grainy tannins on the finish. Matured for 27 months in French oak barrels with 60% new, only the best barrels from the best blocks were selected.