Bold and expressive, the Tokara Director’s Reserve Red 2021 opens with deep crimson hues and a nose of black cherry, cocoa, tobacco leaf, and graphite. The palate is rich and focused, unfolding layers of blackberry, dark plum, and subtle spice. Fine-grained tannins add structure and poise, while a vibrant mid-palate tension carries through to a long, satisfying finish. A masterfully crafted Stellenbosch red blend with both elegance and aging potential.
Crafted from select parcels on Tokara’s Simonsberg slopes, this Bordeaux-style blend was hand-harvested at peak ripeness. After careful sorting, the grapes underwent cold maceration and wild fermentation in stainless steel and foudre tanks. Gentle pump-overs and extended skin contact drew out depth and finesse. Matured for 22 months in 47% new French oak, the wine was bottled unfiltered for purity and aging potential—an uncompromising expression of Stellenbosch terroir.
Winemaker: Stuart Botha
Winemaker: Stuart Botha
South African Tokara winery, on the R310 outside Stellenbosch, is nestled among vineyards and olive groves on the crest of the Helshoogte Pass with sweeping views across False Bay and all the way to Table Mountain. With elevations of between 350m and 550m, soil profiles are of weathered sandstone and decomposed granite - the combination lending structure, perfume and longevity to their wines.
