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| Miles Mossop |
Winemaker Miles
Mossop, Viticulturist Aiden Morton
and recently appointed General Manager Karl
Lambour hosted an exclusive preview of Tokara’s
new vintage releases at the iconic cellar at the end of August. Media
personalities mixed and mingled on the veranda overlooking terraced vineyards
while tweeting; instagramming and sipping on the 2016 Tokara Elgin Sauvignon
Blanc. This delicious wine is bursting with aromas of lemon and fig with
nuances of dried herbs. The mouth-feel is full with a lingering fresh and dry
finish. The Highlands vineyard in Elgin is aptly named as the site is 415
metres above sea level with fresh breezes from the ocean just 7 km away providing
cool summer temperatures which are ideal for slow ripening Sauvignon Blanc. It
was a good match for Chef Richard
Carstens’ starter of cured home
smoked trout, sushi rice, trout crackling with roast bone vinaigrette and herb
salsa.
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| Aiden in the vineyard |
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| Karl in the cellar |
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| Chef Richard Carstens |
The afternoon was relaxed as waiters poured samplings of the
2013 Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon and 2013 Reserve Collection Shiraz. Both wines are stunning examples of
the ethos and commitment to quality for which Tokara has become renowned. It was however the Tokara Director’s Reserve Red 2005 that really roused my senses. Director’s Reserve showcases grapes from the
best blocks and from the best parts of these blocks from premium vineyards on
the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountains. The grapes are allowed to ferment
naturally without addition of commercial yeasts allowing a slow fermentation
resulting in full, rich complex wines. Only 20 000 bottles were produced.
15 cases of the remarkable wine were auctioned at the 42nd Nederburg Auction on the 16th September
2016 for the handsome price of R6000 per 6-bottle case. Another Tokara star, the Tokara Siberia Chardonnay 2015, goes under the hammer at the 32nd Cape Winemaker’s Guild
Auction on the 1st October at Spier Wine Estate.
Make a point of stopping atop the Helshoogte Pass and be
tempted to visit the child friendly Tokara Deli where you can enjoy local and
imported charcuterie; award winning cheeses; home-made chicken pies; freshly
baked bread and so much more. Or browse the gallery with its unique ‘Wine Made Art’
pieces and interesting stonework sculptures or just visit the tasting room to savour
their award-winning wines.
Tokara is situated at the top of the Helshoogte Pass en-route
from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek. Tel: +2721 8085900 www.tokara.co.za
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