De Toren Z was created by design born of cool ocean facing vineyards high in clay content conditions intensely suited to the planting of Merlot. Affectionately called ‘Zee’, this approachable ruby-hued beauty takes its name from the cooling Zephyr breeze that air-conditions the ocean-fronting vineyard block of its origin, one in which are featured all of the ‘Noble Five’ Bordeaux varietals, with Merlot in dominance.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Red ruby , clear & bright
Nose: There’s a deep kirsch aroma on the nose of this wine, with additional notes of pressed violets, crème de cassis and blackberry paste.
Palate: The palate is medium in weight and plush in feel, with velvety tannins that lend ample structure and support to the ripe cherry and berry fruit flavors. Final notes of cedary spice, light char and cocoa powder add decadence through the close. This wine is a very versatile food pairing wine due to its great acidity and weight. It works exceptionally well with very fine spicy foods. Its aromas of mulberries and blueberries perfectly complements rich fish, lamb, duck, beef and poultry. For optimum enjoyment, decant at least one hour before consumption. It is recommended to serve this wine at optimal temperature (15 – 18 degrees Celcius).
Grape Varieties: Merlot 47%, Cabernet Franc 14%, Cabernet Sauvignon 19%, Malbec 13%, Petit Verdot 7%
Aging: Aged in a climatized barrel room (16 degrees Celsius at 80% humidity) for 12 months in 225L French and American Oak. The Malbec had the benefit of American Oak.
Awards: 91pts – Wine Enthusiast; 93pts – Tim Atkin
History of De Toren
De Toren was South Africa’s first-ever gravity-fed cellar, designed to facilitate the gentlest movement of our wines. The estate’s vineyards were designed from the ground up to produce world-class wines and enormous attention was given to where and how each vineyard was planted.
The design of our iconic Left- and Right-Bordeaux-styled blends were planned and decided upon after which the vines were planted to match the make-up of these wines. Crafting a blended wine is like painting, with each texture, aroma, and flavor being a different color. Our vineyards and winemaking methods are designed to ensure excellence, every sip of De Toren wine is, and should always be, a memory of the fruit’s perfection.
