Cavalli are thrilled to announce that their flagship Bordeaux blend, the Warlord, has been awarded an impressive 95-point rating from internationally renowned and acclaimed wine critic, Tim Atkin.
This marks a significant milestone in Cavalli Estate’s winemaking history, as earning a 95-point rating is a highly coveted achievement that positions the Cavalli Warlord among the most prestigious wines of our time.
This pinnacle recognition is a testament to the unwavering dedication and expertise of the Cavalli Estate winemaking team.
- The Cavalli Warlord’s exceptional performance is particularly noteworthy given the fierce competition in the world of premium Bordeaux-style blends. To earn a 95-point rating from a respected critic like Tim Atkin is a true testament to the exceptional quality and character of this wine.
A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec and 21% Petit Verdot, the grapes were hand-harvested and aged in French Oak barriques for 22 months. On the nose, you’ll find fresh plum, black forest cake, and cedar spice, while the palate offers soft, well-rounded tannins that complement an elegant palate weight.
Grapes were hand-picked at optimal ripeness and afforded a lengthy period of skin contact post-fermentation. The Cabernet Sauvignon fermented in stainless steel tanks with 3-4 pumpovers a day. The Malbec and Petit Verdot were fermented in small open-top vessels with manual punch downs 3-5 times daily. The wine was aged in French oak barriques for 22 months before bottling.
Overview of the 2021 Vintage:
The 2021 growing season started with a rather dry build-up, but without the previous year’s extremely cold winter or heavy rains. This allowed to evoke vine dormancy and resulted in proper development of the vines as they headed into the growing season.
This created good acidity and even ripening, resulting in well-structured tannins and intense, concentrated flavours from the smaller berries. “The uneven years still seem to produce superior wines” – says Rianie Strydom, and 2021 appears to be shaping up as one of those exceptional vintages.
In addition to the Warlord, Atkin also scored the 2021 Cavalli Cabernet Sauvignon 91 points, the 2023 Cavalli Chardonnay 90 points, and the 2023 Cavalli Reserve White an outstanding 92 points.
