Z Director's Reserve 2017
Stellenbosch, De Toren, 750 ml
| Grape variety: | Merlot, Cabernet Franc |
| Producer: | De Toren |
| Origin: | South Africa / Coastal Region / Stellenbosch |
Description
Stellenbosch at its best
❯ The De Toren Director's Reserve collection comprises an extremely rare selection of limited-edition wines that are only produced in years with exceptional vintages. The De Toren Z 2017 Director's Reserve is an outstanding example of this.
❯ Characterised by the fresh influence of the Zephyr breeze – hence the name «Z» – this Bordeaux blend impresses with its intense Merlot character. It unfolds flavours of dark red fruits and displays finely structured tannins that are both velvety and lively on the palate.
❯ Harmonises perfectly with game and lamb dishes as well as strong cheeses such as mature Gruyere.
Attributes
| Origin: | South Africa / Coastal Region / Stellenbosch |
| Grape variety: | Merlot, Cabernet Franc |
| Ripening potential: | 3 to 15 years |
| Drinking temperature: | 15 to 18 °C |
| Food Pairing: | Spiced grillades, Wild fowl, Bistecca fiorentina, T-Bone steak, Saddle of lamb fillet with herb jus |
| Maturation: | in new barriques |
| Volume: | 14.5 % |
| Note: | Contains sulphites |
De Toren
De Toren is one of the first wineries in South Africa to producing classic Bordeaux-style wines. Since its foundation, the De Toren vision has been and remains the reinterpretation of the Bordeaux concept and to create unique South African wines from the five grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. De Toren is one of the first wineries in South Africa to producing classic Bordeaux-style wines. Since its foundation, the De Toren vision has been and remains the reinterpretation of the Bordeaux concept and to create unique South African wines from the five grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
This acclaimed winery is located at the highest point of the Polkadraai Road in the Polkadraai Hills, boasting a view over False Bay and onward to the Atlantic Ocean.
Cabernet Franc
Forefather of the Bordeaux varieties
The Cabernet Franc is one of the oldest varieties of Bordelais and a parent of three other red grapes in the Bordeaux assortment: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère. It is distinguished by its complex, flavourful bouquet of raspberry, graphite, violet, liquorice and white pepper. In addition, it presents round, crisp tannins which turn out less strongly than those of Cabernet Sauvignon. While the Cabernet Franc always appears as part of a blend in Bordeaux, it is pressed alone on the Loire. The most renowned appellations are Chinon and Bourgueil. Incidentally, the Cabernet originates not in Bordeaux but in the Spanish Basque Country. Cabernet owes its name to the Latin “carbon”, meaning black.
Merlot
Everybody’s darling
Merlot is the most charming member of the Bordeaux family. It shines with rich colour, fragrant fullness, velvety tannins and sweet, plummy fruit. It even makes itself easy for the vintner, as it matures without issue in cool years as well. This is in contrast to the stricter Cabernet Sauvignon, which it complements as a blending partner. Its good qualities have made the Merlot famous worldwide. At over 100,000 hectares, it is the most-planted grape in France. It also covers large areas in California, Italy, Australia and recently in Eastern Europe. The only catch is that pure Merlot varieties rarely turn out well. Its charm is often associated with a lack of substance. Only the best specimens improve with maturity. They then develop complex notes of leather and truffles. This succeeds in the top wines from the Bordeaux appellation of Pomerol and those from Ticino, among others.
