De Toren
Book 17 XVII Red Bordeaux Blend
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
Day five on the cruise and this night at Giovanni's Table, the Italian restaurant, aboard the Allure of the Seas. We decided to open up two South African beauties for this.
Deep ruby red with a slight garnet hue on the edges. Layered nose with dark cocoa, floral notes, dark berries and spices. Some classic 'South African' chalk as well. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and medium plus to full bodied. Dusty dark black cherries on the attack with some black currants, dark spices, a touch earthy, vanilla and some nutmeg. Seems quite restrained and reserved but well integrated as well. Dry and long finish. Drink till 2037.
Third time trying this limited bottling by De Toren Private Cellars with only 1,132 bottles produced in the 2013 vintage. This wine is made through the use of extreme winemaking techniques such as extreme cropping, extensive hand sorting, 200% new French oak for a total of 18 months and unfiltered. You are probably wondering how it can be 200%? This is done by aging the wine in 100% new French oak barrels for twelve months before transferring them to another set of 100% new French oak barrels for six additional months.
Day five on the cruise and this night at Giovanni's Table, the Italian restaurant, aboard the Allure of the Seas. We decided to open up two South African beauties for this.
Deep ruby red with a slight garnet hue on the edges. Layered nose with dark cocoa, floral notes, dark berries and spices. Some classic 'South African' chalk as well. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and medium plus to full bodied. Dusty dark black cherries on the attack with some black currants, dark spices, a touch earthy, vanilla and some nutmeg. Seems quite restrained and reserved but well integrated as well. Dry and long finish. Drink till 2037.
Third time trying this limited bottling by De Toren Private Cellars with only 1,132 bottles produced in the 2013 vintage. This wine is made through the use of extreme winemaking techniques such as extreme cropping, extensive hand sorting, 200% new French oak for a total of 18 months and unfiltered. You are probably wondering how it can be 200%? This is done by aging the wine in 100% new French oak barrels for twelve months before transferring them to another set of 100% new French oak barrels for six additional months.
Fourth blind wine and like the others, given around a two hour decant.
Deep ruby red. Very dark nose with tons of spices and soft dark berries. Heavy tannins (7/10) with a medium plus body. Dark fruits on the palate with floral notes as well. More feminine than expected. A touch dry with dark minerality in the medium plus to long finish. Drink till 2027.
Fourth blind wine and like the others, given around a two hour decant.
Deep ruby red. Very dark nose with tons of spices and soft dark berries. Heavy tannins (7/10) with a medium plus body. Dark fruits on the palate with floral notes as well. More feminine than expected. A touch dry with dark minerality in the medium plus to long finish. Drink till 2027.
Tasted blind. completely blew me away, had no idea it was South Africa! Beautiful bright cherries and Cassiis, touches of pepper, mint and well-balanced Oak. Yum!
Tasted blind. completely blew me away, had no idea it was South Africa! Beautiful bright cherries and Cassiis, touches of pepper, mint and well-balanced Oak. Yum!
2 people found it helpfulDec 7th, 2014Big surprise of the evening. Only 1132 bottles made this vintage and a true cult wine from South Africa by De Toren Private Cellars. Dark ruby red. Layered aromas of some greenery, and soft dark berries. Warm palate with notes of olives and slight smokiness surronding the light berry notes. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and fully integrated. Full bodied and long finish. A lot more drinkable than expected. Not sure if this will last as long as the estate thinks. Drink till 2030.
Big surprise of the evening. Only 1132 bottles made this vintage and a true cult wine from South Africa by De Toren Private Cellars. Dark ruby red. Layered aromas of some greenery, and soft dark berries. Warm palate with notes of olives and slight smokiness surronding the light berry notes. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and fully integrated. Full bodied and long finish. A lot more drinkable than expected. Not sure if this will last as long as the estate thinks. Drink till 2030.
1 person found it helpfulOct 13th, 2016
Marcel had this 10 years ago
Marcel had this 10 years ago
1 person found it helpfulJan 1st, 2015Spectacular. Rich, complex, heavy blackberry notes yet chocolatey smooth and just slightly smoked, lingering, luscious. An absolute beauty.
Spectacular. Rich, complex, heavy blackberry notes yet chocolatey smooth and just slightly smoked, lingering, luscious. An absolute beauty.
Jun 18th, 2017
