Tokara, renowned for its commitment to excellence, is proud to announce the release of the inaugural vintage of its Tokara Simonsberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2021. This extraordinary wine is the culmination of 25 years of dedication, where every detail, from vine to bottle, has been crafted to produce a Cabernet Sauvignon that stands as a testament to the unique terroir of the Simonsberg Mountain.
This Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from the estate's premier vineyards, situated on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain. Here, the combination of altitude, climate, and soil creates an environment perfectly suited for cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon of the highest calibre. This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from select pockets within these vineyards, where each vine has been carefully nurtured to yield the best possible fruit.
The journey of this wine begins with the meticulous selection of grapes from the most exceptional blocks, and even more so, from the best parts of these blocks. The vineyards yield between 7 and 9 tonnes per hectare, ensuring that only the finest grapes are chosen. The harvest, spanning from the 7th of February to the 24th of March 2021, was carried out by hand, with each bunch picked at the peak of ripeness to ensure optimal flavour and structure.
In the cellar, the grapes were treated with the utmost care. After being de-stemmed, the grapes were sorted and then crushed directly into fermentation tanks without the use of pumps, preserving the integrity of the fruit. A cold maceration period of up to five days preceded a spontaneous fermentation, conducted in a combination of stainless steel and wooden upright (foudre) fermenters. Techniques such as pump-overs, délestage, and cap punching were employed twice daily to enhance extraction, followed by a post-fermentation maceration.
The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel, followed by an extended maturation period of 22 months in 100% new French oak barriques. The careful process included four rackings, all executed barrel-to-barrel, ensuring the wine developed complexity and depth without the need for fining. Bottling took place in January 2023, after a light filtration.
The Tokara Simonsberg Cabernet Sauvignon greets the eye with a brilliant ruby red hue, boasting a black core and a vibrant edge. The nose is an elegant blend of classic graphite, ripe dark cherry, dried cranberry, and briary fruits, seamlessly intertwined with aromas of cassis and subtle five spice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, with flavours that echo the nose, enriched by judicious oak integration and fine-grained tannins. The finish is multi- layered, persistent, and leaves a lasting impression.
Stuart Botha, Tokara's winemaker, reflects on this milestone: "This wine is a celebration of our dedication to expressing the unique characteristics of the Simonsberg terroir. The wine embodies the culmination of two decades of learning and perfecting our craft. We are proud to present a wine that is both powerful and elegant, with a complexity that will evolve beautifully with time".
Karl Lambour, general manager of Tokara, adds: "The release of the Tokara Simonsberg Cabernet Sauvignon marks a significant moment in our journey as a winery. This wine not only represents the very best of our vineyards but also the collective expertise and passion of our entire team. We believe it will stand as a benchmark for South African Cabernet Sauvignon, offering wine enthusiasts a true expression of the Simonsberg Mountain's potential".