De Toren
Fusion V Stellenbosch Red Blend
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
My experience with South African red wines is limited, but I’ve enjoyed some Meerlust reds and a few other random bottles. I have to say, while this wasn’t a revelation, it is the best South African wine I’ve had to date.
This was a bottle opened blind for a few people. Oddly enough, there were similarities to this and a 2013 Almaviva…a burnt rubber/tire note on the nose alongside a vegetal/herbal pronounced note on the nose. Tangy/sour black cherries, red currant and red licorice too. Mostly red and black underripe fruit dominant. Even a bit of tar. This drinks like a chinon mixed with a lean vintage Bordeaux…the spice and vegetal flair is there next to the lightweight mid palate from a cooler Bordeaux vintage. A blend of five “noble varietals” in honor of Bordeaux, this was a unique wine that had people guessing from all over the world. After 1-2hrs of air from
bottle, it was balanced/integrated and ready to roll. I’d enjoy these sooner rather than later.
My experience with South African red wines is limited, but I’ve enjoyed some Meerlust reds and a few other random bottles. I have to say, while this wasn’t a revelation, it is the best South African wine I’ve had to date.
This was a bottle opened blind for a few people. Oddly enough, there were similarities to this and a 2013 Almaviva…a burnt rubber/tire note on the nose alongside a vegetal/herbal pronounced note on the nose. Tangy/sour black cherries, red currant and red licorice too. Mostly red and black underripe fruit dominant. Even a bit of tar. This drinks like a chinon mixed with a lean vintage Bordeaux…the spice and vegetal flair is there next to the lightweight mid palate from a cooler Bordeaux vintage. A blend of five “noble varietals” in honor of Bordeaux, this was a unique wine that had people guessing from all over the world. After 1-2hrs of air from
bottle, it was balanced/integrated and ready to roll. I’d enjoy these sooner rather than later.
The 2017 De Toren Fusion V, the Left Bank Bordeaux-based blend, 90% raised in 50% new French oak, is deep garnet in color. It has a well-defined blackberry, bilberry and soy-tinged nose, touches of pencil shaving coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, almost Médoc-like tannins, quite structured and more austere compared to older vintages that I have tasted, especially in the context of a ripe growing season. Noticeably bitter toward the finish. Personally, I would afford this a couple of years in the cellar just to shave the edges, but it is a commendable Stellenbosch Bordeaux blend, one that cohered nicely after two or three hours. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2021)
The 2017 De Toren Fusion V, the Left Bank Bordeaux-based blend, 90% raised in 50% new French oak, is deep garnet in color. It has a well-defined blackberry, bilberry and soy-tinged nose, touches of pencil shaving coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, almost Médoc-like tannins, quite structured and more austere compared to older vintages that I have tasted, especially in the context of a ripe growing season. Noticeably bitter toward the finish. Personally, I would afford this a couple of years in the cellar just to shave the edges, but it is a commendable Stellenbosch Bordeaux blend, one that cohered nicely after two or three hours. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2021)
Dried pyrazene and tobacco, yet fresh and juicy blackberries and dark cherries on the palate. Moderate acid, quite tannic. Mostly Cabernet Sauv.
Dried pyrazene and tobacco, yet fresh and juicy blackberries and dark cherries on the palate. Moderate acid, quite tannic. Mostly Cabernet Sauv.
Nov 23rd, 2018
Always trying to spread the love and give a little bit of knowledge about South African wines. We decided to bring a solid Bordeaux Blend to share with some new friends at Hatchet Hall in LA.
Deep and dark ruby red with purple hues. Dark spices on the nose with some gravel, cassis and dark black cherries. Medium plus dry tannins (7.5/10) and medium plus to full bodied. Definitely benefited from the short decant. Layered palate with notes of dark red berries, minerality, and some sweet spices. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2028. (92+)
Always trying to spread the love and give a little bit of knowledge about South African wines. We decided to bring a solid Bordeaux Blend to share with some new friends at Hatchet Hall in LA.
Deep and dark ruby red with purple hues. Dark spices on the nose with some gravel, cassis and dark black cherries. Medium plus dry tannins (7.5/10) and medium plus to full bodied. Definitely benefited from the short decant. Layered palate with notes of dark red berries, minerality, and some sweet spices. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2028. (92+)
Ninth red wine at our annual DMV South African wine tasting. Medium to deep ruby red. Muted nose to start with notes of iron, cassis, dark sweet spices, and cocoa. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Almost caramel like on the palate with vanilla and dark berries. Nice level of richness and very long finish. Drink till 2028.
Ninth red wine at our annual DMV South African wine tasting. Medium to deep ruby red. Muted nose to start with notes of iron, cassis, dark sweet spices, and cocoa. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Almost caramel like on the palate with vanilla and dark berries. Nice level of richness and very long finish. Drink till 2028.
Mar 5th, 2018Third wine with Charles at De Toren. Set to be release in early 2018 similar to the Z.
Darker than the Z, deep and dark ruby red. Needed to open up a little bit on the nose. Gained some dark cocoa on the nose with minerality, pepper and dusty notes. Heavy tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Darker berries on the palate with some black cherries, cassis and a touch savory in the backend. Dry and long finish. Drink till 2030.
Made up of around 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and around 16% Malbec, the rest is made up of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
Third wine with Charles at De Toren. Set to be release in early 2018 similar to the Z.
Darker than the Z, deep and dark ruby red. Needed to open up a little bit on the nose. Gained some dark cocoa on the nose with minerality, pepper and dusty notes. Heavy tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Darker berries on the palate with some black cherries, cassis and a touch savory in the backend. Dry and long finish. Drink till 2030.
Made up of around 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and around 16% Malbec, the rest is made up of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
Charles pulled out an older vintage of the Fusion V for us to try.
Deep garnet red with some bricking on the edges. Aged nose with notes of tomato, a little stinky, a little earthy, strawberries and red plums. Balanced tannins (6.5/10) and medium plus bodied. Notes of strawberries, dried cherries and leather on the palate. Medium to medium plus finish. Drink till 2020.
Charles pulled out an older vintage of the Fusion V for us to try.
Deep garnet red with some bricking on the edges. Aged nose with notes of tomato, a little stinky, a little earthy, strawberries and red plums. Balanced tannins (6.5/10) and medium plus bodied. Notes of strawberries, dried cherries and leather on the palate. Medium to medium plus finish. Drink till 2020.
My first Stellenbosch, I believe. Bravo. Ripe fruit. Medium+ body. Good structure. New world-ish. I guess I've been missing out.
My first Stellenbosch, I believe. Bravo. Ripe fruit. Medium+ body. Good structure. New world-ish. I guess I've been missing out.
2 people found it helpfulMar 24th, 2016
From a warmer vyd than the Z, 55CS is the core of the Bordeaux blend, meaty, pepper & graphite, red and black fruits, solid tannic structure good length and lots of complexity
From a warmer vyd than the Z, 55CS is the core of the Bordeaux blend, meaty, pepper & graphite, red and black fruits, solid tannic structure good length and lots of complexity
2 people found it helpfulJun 10th, 2014