Impressive scores across the board for Tokara’s star-studded line-up of wines with their Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon taking a bow once again, showcases outstanding consistency in the Tim Atkin South Africa Special Report 2023.
High ratings for all three tiers of Tokara Cabernet Sauvignon as well as the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon-driven blend, are testament to the single-minded focus on this signature grape variety spanning over 20 years.
Top achievers included in Tim Atkin’s ‘Wines of the Year’ ranking with scores of 95/100 are the flagship Bordeaux-style blend, Director’s Reserve Red 2020, and Tokara TELOS 2018, the fourth vintage of the estate’s pinnacle Cabernet Sauvignon.
“There’s no denying the quality of the 1,000 bottles of the latest release of TELOS,’’ is Atkin’s verdict on this masterly crafted wine that is the epitome of precision and stands proudly alongside the best in the world. His description of the Director’s Reserve Red as “self-assured … with appealing focus and restraint,” underlines his high regard for the wine.
Tokara’s flagship Director’s Reserve White and the equally lauded Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, both from the 2020 vintage, as well as the ultra-elegant Blanc de Blancs Cap Classique 2016, are next up with a score of 94 points.
Atkin describes the Director’s Reserve White as a youthful, age-worthy pairing of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, while his notes on the Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon depict the wine as a “superb Simonsberg Cabernet Sauvignon” that is “dense, grippy and made to age for a decade or more in bottle.”
He portrays the Tokara Blanc de Blancs as very stylish and complex with hazelnut and brioche flavours, an umami undertone and dry finish.
Other Atkin favourites on 93 points are the Tokara Reserve Collection Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2022 and the Reserve Collection Syrah 2020.
A known fan of the Elgin Sauvignon Blanc, Atkin considers the 2022 vintage as “very much a cooler climate style” with gunflint and wet stone aromas, green apple and pink grapefruit flavours, and a textured mid-palate.
More standout wines are the Tokara Reserve Chardonnay 2022 on 92 points and the premium Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 on 91.
Atkin is a UK Master of Wine and accomplished wine commentator with extensive experience when it comes to South Africa. His annual South Africa Special Report, now in its 11th year, is highly regarded internationally as an independent assessment of the country’s wines.
The forward thinking vision of owners GT and Anne-Marie Ferreira to produce world class Tokara wines without compromise and with a distinct South African identity, is the foundation on which this prestigious Stellenbosch property builds its prowess vintage after vintage.
For more information on TOKARA wines, visit www.tokara.com.
