Wine Savvy on December 9, 2013 0 Comments Quick Characteristics Winery: De Toren Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa Vintage: 2010 ABV: 15% pH: 3.58 Acidity: 5.61 g/l Sugar: 3.09 g/l Pairs With: Grilled Steak There are many wonderful wine growing areas across the world; every wine drinker has their favorite. Historic European regions like Bordeaux or Champagne, Chianti or the Mosel Valley are places of real beauty. The USA is noted for its hospitality and Australia for its easy going nature. For me, though, the beauty of South Africa and the vineyards of the Cape Peninsula are simply impossible to beat. The wine growing regions of South Africa are largely situated in the south west of the country and covers climate ranging from hot and arid to comparatively cool. The historic wine centers of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, a series of picture postcard historic towns, are set amidst mountain backdrops of breathtaking beauty. Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon: 57% Merlot: 14% Malbec: 13% Cabernet Franc: 11% Petit Verdot: 5% For many consumers South Africa is a fairly recent addition to the wine map. With plenty of wine produced at home and other long established sources it has not been an obvious choice for many. Its wine making history and pedigree is, however, long established with the first vineyards being planted in what is now central Cape Town at the end of the seventeenth century. From that point onwards the wines of South Africa have been exported across the world but it is only in more recent years that they have come of age. The end of the terrible apartheid regime in the early 1990s opened the doors for South Africa worldwide and a wave of goodwill swept the best producers wines to the shelves of retailers in the US, UK and Germany. Although the country has seen this peak level of interest decline in recent years, the demand for its premium producers goes from strength to strength. De Toren is certainly one of these premium producers. The farm was purchased in 1991 by the Den Dulk family and transformed into a wine estate in time for its first vintage in 1999. The objective was to re-define the Bordeaux concept and make a truly South African example, complex, expressive and truly hand crafted. Under young winemaker Albie Koch, with great attention to detail, the estate has in a short space of time carved out a reputation for excellence. In stunning surroundings to the west of the university town of Stellenbosch the family have created something very beautiful. De Toren Fusion V is a textbook Cape Blend, marrying together the five classic Bordeaux grape varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec – hence the name Fusion V. The backbone of the wine is Cabernet Sauvignon and the style ripe, opulent and velvety with a very polished finish. The cedar wood tones are classically rewarding and refined. Albie Koch, now promoted to Cellar Master, suggests pairing his wine with plain and simple grilled steak. We certainly would not disagree with that. For those of you yet to try South African wine, now is a great time. They are great value for money and are often produced in a style that is a good half way point between classic Old World flavours and a modern fruit driven style. More Wine Reviews: REVIEW: Cakebread Cellars Red Hills 2010 Zinfandel REVIEW: 2009 Lions Drift Pinotage from Silkbush Mountain Vineyards REVIEW: San Pedro de Yacochuya Torrontés 2012 REVIEW: 2009 Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon from Viña Cobos
