Warwick Ranked Number 1 in the Decanter Panel Tasting
The Warwick Cabernet Franc 2022 was named the best New World Cabernet Franc in the major Decanter Panel Tasting, selected from around 113 wines submitted. This ranking not only confirms the exceptional quality of the vintage, but also the consistently high standard at which Warwick operates. As early as 2024, the 2020 vintage had taken first place at the Blick Tasting, demonstrating that this success is no coincidence, but the result of true pedigree.
South Africa performed impressively in the tasting. Of the 13 wines entered, four were rated Outstanding and seven Highly Recommended. Names such as Damascene further underline the region’s stylistic depth. Decanter sees this as a clear sign that South Africa now ranks among the leading origins for characterful Cabernet Francs.
Single Vineyard Lone Oak: The Foundation of Exceptional Quality
The origin plays a crucial role in shaping this wine’s character. The grapes come from the Lone Oak single vineyard, situated at 260 metres altitude and offering ideal conditions for the variety. Deep soils, a balanced climate, and precise vineyard work provide the foundation for a wine that feels both powerful and refined. Maturation for 23 months in French oak, partly in new barrels, adds further structure and depth without overshadowing the wine’s aromatic clarity.
The Warwick Signature: Tradition Meets Modern Precision
With this vintage, Warwick continues a long and proud tradition. Founder Norma Ratcliffe is considered a pioneer of South African Cabernet Franc and was the first winemaker in the country to bottle the variety as a single cultivar. Today, winemaker JD Pretorius carries this legacy forward with a modern interpretation. The 2022 vintage clearly demonstrates how careful vinification and a deep understanding of the terroir can produce a wine that is internationally competitive while maintaining an unmistakable South African identity.
A wine that represents Stellenbosch on the international stage
Why the 2022 Vintage Is Particularly Convincing
The Decanter report highlights how consistently the wine displays its strengths. The tasters emphasise the dense fruit, the stylish balance, and the long, elegant evolution on the palate. This assessment reinforces Stellenbosch’s role as an important origin for characterful, high-quality Cabernet Francs. The Warwick Cabernet Franc 2022 shows power while remaining precise and finely detailed throughout. It already impresses today but also promises remarkable development in the years to come.
The Style: Precise, Powerful, Yet Elegant
The Warwick Cabernet Franc 2022 impresses with a style that is both powerful and refined. Precisely placed fruit aromas, an elegant texture, and a clean, clear finish give it a modern expressive quality. The wine shows structured depth without losing its sense of lightness, once again confirming the outstanding form in which Warwick is currently vinifying.
Top Rating
WARWICK
Cabernet Franc – 2022
CHF 29.00 instead of CHF 39.00
96 points by Decanter
Floral and perfumed, with aromas of violets, cassis, and dried rosemary. Dark chocolate and thyme, along with cassis and blueberries, follow on the palate, with firm, fine-grained tannins typical of the 2020 vintage. The tannins are well balanced by a dense fruit core, supported by fresh acidity.
Decanter as a Benchmark for International Wine Quality
Decanter is one of the world’s most influential wine magazines and stands for independent, international wine criticism. A top ranking in a Decanter Panel Tasting is regarded as a prestigious mark of quality and carries global influence.
Conclusion: A South African Cabernet Franc at a World-Class Level
This vintage is an outstanding example of how far the South African wine world has come in recent years and why international experts are increasingly turning their attention to Stellenbosch. The Warwick Cabernet Franc 2022 combines origin, craftsmanship, and character into a wine that impresses in every respect and fully deserves its top rating. A wine for collectors, connoisseurs, and anyone who wants to experience the future of Cabernet Franc in the glass.
