Cost: $32.95
Grape Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosh
Format: 750 mL
Producer: De Toren Cellars
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with high intensity in the nose.

Positives: There is a lot going on with this wine both on the nose & taste. They are: cedar, plums, raisins, herbaceous notes, carnation on the nose, bramble fruit, dark chocolate, candy apple, vanilla bean, turmeric, leather, pencil shavings, black olives & hickory. This wine is full body with good acidity, medium+ tannins & a long finish.

Negatives: A lot of heat coming from the high alcohol, and a little to herbaceous on the taste.

Interesting Thing: The wine’s nose is a lot sweeter than the taste, which is a little austere.

Drink now or cellar for another 5 years. Drink on its own as a meal or pair it with grilled T-bone steak.

Tasted: 30 Nov 11

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Score: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO:# 178194