Rose petals, plum and blueberry abounds on the nose which leads to a frisky and well integrated acidity that brings freshness to the taste of this elegant wine. Soft, firm well rounded tannins blend well with delicate notes of cinnamon. The first impression is very much that of Merlot. The nose complements the mouth feel in structure and freshness.

ORDER DE TOREN Z 2009

DECANTING:

To release all the flavours please decant at least one hour before consumption. It is recommended to serve this wine at optimal temperature (15-18 degrees Celsius).

AGEING POTENTIAL

If stored in optimal conditions, this wine should last 8 – 10 years.

VARIETIES:

ANALYSIS:

MATURATION IN BARRELS

Aged in a climatized barrel room (16 degrees Celsius at 80% humidity) for 12 months in 225L French and American Oak. Malbec had the benefit of American Oak.

ACCOLADES

Wine Spectator – 90 Points

Quite juicy, this features nice grippy briar and licorice snap notes coursing through the core of steeped black currant and fig fruit. Toasted, but integrated, with the licorice edge hanging nicely on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2014. 750 cases imported. – JM

John Platter 2012 Wine Guide – 4 Stars

Top 10 Best Red Wine Winex Johannesburg  2011

This wine expresses very delegate undertones of orange zest. A second wave of flavours announces prunes, cinnamon, perfumed rose peddles and sweet red fruit leaves one in anticipation for this liquid to touch the tongue. The palate is treated to a well integrated tannin structure with expressive tones of hazelnut, black currant and rounded off with a mineral finish and fresh acidity that will see this wine have a lot to offer in the future, if carefully stored. The aftertaste leaves a lingering impression that captivates the mind.

This wine will compliment delicate, aromatic and flavorful foods.

VINTAGE NO LONGER AVAILABLE; ORDER DE TOREN Z 2009

DECANTING:

To release all the flavours please decant at least one hour before consumption. It is recommended to serve this wine at optimal temperature (15-18 degrees Celsius).

AGEING POTENTIAL

If stored in optimal conditions, this wine should last 8 – 10 years.

VARIETIES:

ANALYSIS:

MATURATION IN BARRELS

Aged in a climatized barrel room (16 degrees Celsius at 80% humidity) for 12 months in 225L French and American Oak. Malbec had the benefit of American Oak.

ACCOLADES

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points

Cocoa-dusted black cherry and berry aromas hit you first in the bouquet, followed by soft notes of black tea, violets and licorice shortly after. Full and rich in the mouth, the fruit is intense and juicy, framed by a lush but firm structure and balanced acidity hinting at the life that this wine still has to come. Long finish with a peppery back note. Imported by Cape Classics. –L.B

Wine Spectator 90 Points

“Ripe and focused, displaying delightful plum and blackberry notes laced with hints of herb and dark liquorice. The supple, lengthy finish relies on acidity more than toast or muscle. Well put together. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot.” — J.M.

Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar 91 Points

A five-variety Bordeaux blend based on 45% merlot and 27% cabernet sauvignon blanc; the 15% malbec component was aged in American oak): Good deep red with ruby tones. Sexy aromas of blackberry, spices and violet. Suave, sweet and deep, with lovely integrated acidity contributing to the wine’s seamless texture. Offers considerable early appeal but has the structure for aging too, finishing with savory, firm-edged tannins. Very much in a Right Bank style, unusual for a Bordeaux blend in South Africa.

Kens Wine Guide 90.3 Points

Ken’s Wine Rating: Very Good (90+)

Wine Review: This slightly opaque dark purple colored blend from South Africa is quite a treat. It opens with an inviting smoky oak influenced blueberry bouquet with a hint of plum. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and soft, yet juicy. The flavor profile is a tasty blueberry and black raspberry blend with nicely integrated oak. The finish is dry and its moderate gentle tannins linger slightly. This wine is very food friendly and would pair perfectly sautéed veal medallions in a mushroom brown sauce. Enjoy – Ken

John Platter Wine Guide 4 stars

Rated Top Five Best Red Wine on Show at Winex Johannesburg 2010

This wine is surrounded by a prominent aura of gooseberries and raspberries. Hints of mocha and peanut skins greet the nose, with an elusive sweet undertone. Promises of pomegranate and cardamom filters through on the palate, and integrates well with the fresh acidity of this vibrant blend. Even though this is a shy vintage, the soft, well managed tannins, underline the potential greatness installed if the wine is carefully aged. A smooth, full aftertaste at the back of the palate captivates the mind and cajoles you to pour a second glass. Well complimented with aromatic food.

VINTAGE NO LONGER AVAILABLE; ORDER DE TOREN Z 2009

DECANTING:

To release all the flavours please decant at least one hour before consumption. It is recommended to serve this wine at optimal temperature (15-18 degrees Celsius).

AGEING POTENTIAL

If stored in optimal conditions, this wine should last 8 -10 years.

VARIETIES:

ANALYSIS:

MATURATION IN BARRELS

Aged in a climatized barrel room (16 degrees Celsius at 80% humidity) for 12 months in 225L French and American Oak. Malbec had the benefit of American Oak.

ACCOLADES

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points

WineSpectator 89 Points

Ken’s Wine Guide USA 91.3 Points

This ruby colored red blend is a very nice representation of what can be accomplished with red wine in South Africa. It opens with a slightly smoky black currant bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, well balanced, refined, and very easy to drink. The flavor profile is a tasty black cherry with gentle smoky oak influences. The finish is dry and its moderate dusty tannins stick with you for a while. This blend would be a perfect with a New York strip steak. Enjoy – Ken

Decanter World Wine Awards 2009 Silver Medal

International Wine Challenge Bronze medal

John Platter Wine Guide 4 Stars

Rated Top Ten Best Wine on Show at Winex Cape Town 2009.

Rated Top Ten Best Red Wine at “Winex Johannesburg and Talk Radio 702 Best Wine on Show Awards 2009”.

Lush black fruits and a hint of raspberry explode in the mouth as the wine touches the tongue. The elegance of the lasting finish and sweet, ripe seamless flavours greet you as the wine is savoured. The fresh acidity is well balanced with the deep red fruit. Subtle, soft ripe tannins contribute to the full, complex palate which shows the sophistication of a great Merlot dominated Bordeaux styled blend.

VINTAGE NO LONGER AVAILABLE; ORDER DE TOREN Z 2009

DECANTING

To release all the flavours please decant at least one hour before consumption. It is recommended to serve this wine at optimal temperature (15-18 degrees Celsius)

AGEING POTENTIAL

If stored in optimal conditions, this wine should last 8 – 10 years.

VARIETIES

ANALYSIS:

MATURATION IN BARRELS

Aged in a climatized barrel room (16 degrees Celsius at 80% humidity) for 12 months in 225L French and American Oak. Malbec had the benefit of American Oak.

ACCOLADES

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points

Deep aromas of plum, anise, blueberry and black fruit on the nose are followed by layers of intense cedar, plum and mocha flavors. A touch of rose and cedar sweetness adds dimension. Solid structure and good minerality. An approachable wine with class. Imported by Cape Classics. Editors’ Choice. —S.K.

Stephen Tanzer 90 Points

Good deep red. Crushed blackberry, plum and spicecake on the nose. Rich, dense and chewy, with good cedary lift to the dark chocolate and graphite flavours. An accessible merlot-driven blend in a New Wave style but with solid structure and a nicely restrained sweetness. Finishes firm and long. A bit less wild than the last vintage I tasted.

John Platter Guide 2009 4 stars

Sensuous deep purple/black colour with a satin finish. Classic nose with white pepper and black olives. Sweet, smooth and seamless flavours of gooseberries and youngberries integrated with pencil shavings that provide a complex palate with sophisticated classic taste.

VINTAGE NO LONGER AVAILABLE; ORDER DE TOREN Z 2009

DECANTING

To release all the flavours please decant at least one hour before consumption. It is recommended to serve this wine at optimal temperature (15-18 degrees Celsius).

AGEING POTENTIAL

If stored in optimal conditions, this wine should last 8 – 10 years.

VARIETIES:

ANALYSIS:

MATURATION IN BARRELS

Aged in a climatized barrel room (16 degrees Celsius at 80% humidity) for 12 months in 225L French and American Oak. Malbec had the benefit of American Oak.

ACCOLADES

Wine Enthusiast – USA 89 Points

$30. The Z has a big nose of red fruit, spicy wood and pepper, and on the palate, it’s equally alluring and masculine, with flavours of smoke, mint and spice. The wine is elegant but upfront, and could use some time to age and settle into its full potential. A collectible, serious wine that will pair well with beef and equally hearty dishes. Imported by Cape Classics. – S.K.

Wine Spectator – USA 89 Points

Polished with currant and mocha notes carried by ripe, well rounded tannins. Flashes of tobacco and spices on the finish. Nicely done. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2008. 560 cases imported. J.M.

Weinwisser 2009 17/20

Dark ruby with purple glance. Intense bouquet of elder which mixes with black currant. On the pallet black berries, showing nearly a Pauillac fruit subtle tannins showing with gree pepper in an aromatic ending, slightly bitter.

International Wine and Spirits Competition 2007 Silver Medal

International Wine and Spirits Competition 2008 Best in Class 2008 Silver Medal

International Wine Challenge 2008 Bronze Medal

John Platter Wine Guide 4 stars

In the top ten of Best Red Wine on Show at Winex Cape Town and Johannesburg

This is a wine show where the public gets their chance to rate the best wine they have tasted on the evening. With approximately 20% of the visitors to the show completing ballots for the Best-Wine-On-Show Awards, the voting represents the Countries’ most substantial public opinion poll of wine preferences. As in previous years, the Cape Town public identified some of the country’s best known wines on their voting forms.

Rose petals, plum and blueberry fruits. Acidity is frisky and well integrated to bring freshness to the front of this elegant Bordeaux right bank style wine. Soft, firm well rounded tannins are integrated with delicate notes of cinnamon and the first impression is very much that of a Merlot.

VINTAGE NO LONGER AVAILABLE; ORDER DE TOREN Z 2009

DECANTING

To release all the flavours please decant at least one hour before consumption. It is recommended to serve this wine at optimal temperature (15-18 degrees Celsius)

AGEING POTENTIAL

If stored in optimal conditions, this wine should last 8 – 10 years.

VARIETIES

MATURATION IN BARRELS

Aged in a climatized barrel room (16 degrees Celsius at 80% humidity) for 12 months in 225L French and American Oak. Malbec had the benefit of American Oak.

ACCOLADES

Wine Spectator – 91 Points

This features a good, solid beam of raspberry and fig fruit, along with fig, mocha and cocoa notes. Nice length, with a vibrant minerally spine on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2009. 300 cases imported. —J.M.

Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar Online Edition – 91 Points

Full red-ruby. Vibrant aromas of blackcurrant, minerals, bitter chocolate and liquorice. Supple, suave and impressively concentrated, but far more backward than the Z owing to its higher percentage of cabernet sauvignon (55%, vs. 34%). Densely packed and minerally, in the understated style of a traditionally made Bordeaux. Very long and subtle on the back end. Needs at least five or six years of aging. (Cape Classics, New York, NY)

Wine and Spirits Magazine  - 91 Points

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Silver Medal

International Wine & Spirit Competition 2007 – Bronze Medal

John Platter Wine Guide – 4½Stars

Rated Best Red Wine at Winex Cape Town and Johannesburg Visitor index