Reviews & Ratings

2008 De Toren South African (Red Blend) "Z"

Winery: De Toren

Vintage: 2008

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Z"

Wine Category: South African (Red Blend)

Grape blend: 45% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Franc, & 6% Petite Verdot

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Stellenbosch

State or country: South Africa

Price: $35

Cases produced: 300

KWG Score: 89.3 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (90)

Review date: February 15, 2011

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

Winemaker Notes: This sophisticated "Right Bank-styled" Bordeaux blend debuted in the 2004 vintage as a complement to De Toren's legendary "Left Bank-styled" Fusion V. A higher proportion of Merlot makes this delicious red softer and more approachable in its youth than its blockbuster sibling. It delivers intense, alluring aromas and flavors of plum, dark berries, black currant and spicebox along with classic notes of tobacco, graphite and leather and hints of rose petal.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell De Toren 2008 Z.