The Tokara Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 is a benchmark Stellenbosch Cabernet, sourced from the estate’s premium vineyards on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain. This flagship wine reflects Tokara’s meticulous vineyard selection and precision winemaking, delivering both power and refinement.
In the glass, the wine shows a deep purple-black core with a ruby edge, immediately signaling its concentration. The nose is classic and layered, with graphite, black cherry, and briary fruit interwoven with cassis and five spice, alongside subtle notes of fynbos and ripe tomato skin that speak to its Stellenbosch origin. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and structured, with flavors mirroring the aromatics. Fine, polished tannins and balanced acidity carry through to a multi-layered, persistent finish that showcases both depth and elegance.
This is a serious food wine, pairing beautifully with roast red meats, grilled steak with béarnaise sauce, and rich vegetable dishes such as melanzane parmigiana.
In the glass, the wine shows a deep purple-black core with a ruby edge, immediately signaling its concentration. The nose is classic and layered, with graphite, black cherry, and briary fruit interwoven with cassis and five spice, alongside subtle notes of fynbos and ripe tomato skin that speak to its Stellenbosch origin. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and structured, with flavors mirroring the aromatics. Fine, polished tannins and balanced acidity carry through to a multi-layered, persistent finish that showcases both depth and elegance.
This is a serious food wine, pairing beautifully with roast red meats, grilled steak with béarnaise sauce, and rich vegetable dishes such as melanzane parmigiana.
Grapes were hand harvested from selected premium vineyard blocks at optimal ripeness and carefully sorted before fermentation. A cold maceration period of up to 5 days preceded fermentation, which occurred spontaneously using natural yeasts in a combination of stainless steel tanks and traditional wooden foudre fermenters. Extraction was managed through pump-overs, délestage, and punch-downs twice daily, followed by extended post-fermentation maceration for added depth.
The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel, after which it was matured for 22 months in French oak, with 49% new oak and the balance in older barriques. During this time, the wine was racked four times barrel-to-barrel to refine structure and integration. It was bottled with no fining and only light filtration, preserving purity and complexity.
Winemaker: Stuart Botha
The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel, after which it was matured for 22 months in French oak, with 49% new oak and the balance in older barriques. During this time, the wine was racked four times barrel-to-barrel to refine structure and integration. It was bottled with no fining and only light filtration, preserving purity and complexity.
Winemaker: Stuart Botha
The Tokara farm was purchased in 1994 by GT Ferreira for residential purposes, but it wasn’t long before the great potential for planting vineyards was recognized and explored. Classic varietals were planted on the 400m above sea-level slopes. The cool air and low temperatures contribute to the excellent quality of Tokara Wines.
Tokara is a picture perfect destination which offers visitors a unique combination of award-winning wines, brandy and olive oils, a gallery of fine art, a restaurant featuring one of South Africa’s leading chefs as well as a delicatessen. The 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.
Tokara is a picture perfect destination which offers visitors a unique combination of award-winning wines, brandy and olive oils, a gallery of fine art, a restaurant featuring one of South Africa’s leading chefs as well as a delicatessen. The 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.
