Tokara Director's Reserve Red

On the nose, ripe fruit aromas and lush eucalyptus spice; on the palate, notes of cassis, fruitcake, and mint, and in the long finish, nuances of blackcurrant, cedar, and spices. The vineyards around Stellenbosch offer unobstructed views of the imposing Simonsberg. At the foot of the steep cliffs lies the Tokara winery in a breathtakingly beautiful and expansive landscape. The soils here are nutrient-rich, and sunny days and fresh sea air create a climate in which the grapes can ripen evenly over many months. Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes are primarily cultivated on the 120 hectares of vineyards. Using state-of-the-art cellar technology, they are crafted into complex and elegant wines characterized by their fruitiness and freshness. In Walker Bay, near Hermanus, and in the neighboring "new" region of Elgin, low average daily temperatures allow cool-climate grape varieties like the estate's Sauvignon Blanc to best realize their potential. This relatively young winery was established by GF Ferreira in 1994 and is now undeniably one of South Africa's top producers. Its philosophy is "Good wine, good food, and good art go together to create a good lifestyle"—and Tokara presents itself as an architectural gem with an attached art gallery and a first-class restaurant. Tokara is among the top 10 wineries in South Africa and is ranked among the top 50 worldwide. More precisely, Tokara is ranked 48th, one place ahead of a certain Château Mouton-Rothschild.