Reviews & Ratings

2016 De Toren South African (Red Blend) "Z"

Winery: De Toren

Vintage: 2016

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Z"

Wine Category: South African (Red Blend)

Grape blend: 54% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec & 6% Petit Verdot

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Stellenbosch

State or country: South Africa

Price: $50

Cases produced: unknown

KWG Score: 91.5 (based on 2 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (92)

Review date: May 27, 2021

Wine Review: This midnight purple colored Merlot based blend from South Africa is for true South African red fans. It opens with a cedar influenced black cherry bouquet with hints of black raspberry. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, slightly acidic and very juicy. The flavor profile is similar to the nose, featuring a cedar, cherry and Slim Jim blend. I also detected notes of fig and green olive. The finish is dry and its flavors and tannins drift away nicely. I would pair this well-made South African wine with a venison steak. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: You'll find it tantalizingly soft on the tongue, with a hint of aniseed, licorice, raspberry and cranberries lending a fresh acidity to its polished finish. This follows through perfectly on the palate, revealing pure juicy red fruit, berries and plum. Complex and vibrant, this expressive red showcases velvety, finely knit tannins…just as one would expect from a Merlot-led blend!

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell De Toren 2016 Z.