Not too long ago, we took a trip down memory lane as we looked back at the origins of our Trilogy wine and its creator, Norma Ratcliffe.

Today, we could not be more excited to announce the launch of our brand new 2019 vintage, introducing a whole new era of Trilogy. We’ve come a long way since our first Trilogy, bottled back in the 80s. Since then, our winemakers have delivered iconic, award-winning vintages.

With the 2019 Trilogy, our cellarmaster, JD Pretorius, crafted a masterpiece consisting of 48% Cabernet Franc, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Merlot. This wine, and all of its vintages, remains one of Warwick’s most noteworthy innovations and is seen by many as a true icon birthed from the Cape Winelands, and is respected globally.

As one of the most compelling combinations yet, the new vintage is a dark crimson wine with a hint of mulberries, cherries, plums, and rich spices, complemented by aromas of blackberries and lavender that fall gracefully on the pallet. In other words, if you’re not fluent in wine, this is a remarkably complex and delicious bottle of wine. You can enjoy it on its own by the fire or pair it with a special meal.

Want to impress a date, show your family you know something about wine, or simply enjoy this layered vintage on your own?

Behind-The-Scenes

Earlier this month, in a small, exclusive in-person get-together, the new vintage was launched in a beloved wine bar in Stellenbosch. In attendance were some big names in the local wine business, some respected influencers and, of course, the team responsible for the 2019 Trilogy. Having everyone taste the fruit of our labour was a real cherry on top of a long and challenging production.

Some of the challenges along the way included that it was the last vintage created following the recent Cape drought, drier winter conditions than usual, and an abnormal amount of rain during the growing season, leading to earlier pickings to miss the bulk of showers. If you’re wondering why all of this matters, the cooler weather brings about grapes with thinner skins which then need a different approach in the cellar.

As impactful as these challenges may be, they certainly produce grapes and, ultimately, unique wines that end up being one-of-a-kind vintages.

The 2019 vintage shows an abundance of blue fruit compared to the darker characters of the other drought vintages. The higher acidity and lighter profile of the vintage make for a unique version of the Trilogy and a pure expression of the vintage and natural conditions that produced this outstanding wine.

The Trilogy has been a powerful, award-winning new-world expression of Stellenbosch terroir for thirty-six years, without skipping a vintage. It is a deeply layered and carefully crafted wine that is an exceptional addition to any wine lover’s collection.