Tokara releases new vintage wines

For more than 20 years, Tokara, the famed Stellenbosch farm, has been producing wines of stature and status. An expression of the majestic Simonsberg mountain at the foothills of which the estate is based, each bottle, whether enjoyed locally or abroad, captures the essence of the region and for those who have visited, transports them back to the beautiful mountainous valley. So came to be their new mantra: “We make wines that move mountains.”  

“We believe that our wines enjoyed in any other location should transport you back to Tokara, to the place that first filled your glass with delicious expectation,” explains Tokara GM Karl Lambour.

The new release launch focused on the estate’s flagship varietals of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Under the skilful stewardship of winemaker extraordinaire Stuart Botha, Tokara have once again produced timeless, world-class wines.

Tokara Reserve Collection Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2021

Sourced from the estate’s Elgin property, which was acquired with the sole intention of growing white varietals, this wine is a magnificent expression of cooler climate sauvignon blanc. A glorious salinity reminiscent of oyster shell and sea salt intermingle with fruit notes of blackcurrant, passionfruit and green apple. A wonderful softness on the palate is complemented by a lively, focused and fresh acidity.

Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2018

The Estate’s flagship white is a sauvignon blanc/semillon blend made from grapes on the highest slopes of the Simonsberg foothills. A wine of exemplary elegance and finesse, this Bordeaux-style white is a wine of incredible tension and texture. It displays notes of gooseberry, peach and subtle spice with hints of lemon grass and lime zest on both nose and palate. The semillon contributes an underlying flintiness and touch of lanolin-like oiliness giving this wine its incredible texture. A fantastic food wine.

Tokara Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon at its finest. Vibrant and textured, this wine offers up aromas of graphite, deep black berries and a touch of star anise and clove spices, which are mirrored on the palate, together with notes of red currant and fynbos adding a balancing freshness. Wonderful fruit purity, fine grained, weighty tannins and a long-lingering finish.

Tokara Director’s Reserve Red 2019

Tokara’s cabernet sauvignon-driven Bordeaux Blend and flagship red is a truly magnificent wine. Supported by petit verdot, merlot and cabernet franc, this exceptional vintage displays remarkable purity of fruit, structure and elegance. Notes of dark cherry and black plum together with blueberry and black currant with subtle hints of baking spice and underlying graphite are complemented by a rich, full mouthfeel and fine polished tannins, all leading to a long, sumptuous finish.

Tokara Reserve Collection Syrah 2018

Though not aligned with the Cabernet and Sauvignon focus it would be remiss to talk about as renowned and skilled a winemaker as Botha without a mention of his prodigious skill with Syrah. This vintage sees old world merge with new creating a magnificently expressive expression of this varietal. Ripe plum, violet florals and nutmeg spice on the nose all continue to the palate with the addition of ripe dark fruits and a lingering chalky finish with a textbook hint of white pepper.