De Toren Fusion V 2016

Reined in.

The wines of De Toren in Stellenbosch (recently sold – see here) went through a phase of being particularly opulent but the 2016 editions of both Fusion V and Z are remarkably well judged if not exactly restrained.

De Toren Z 2016
Price: R373
54% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec and 6% Petit Verdot. Matured for 12 months in French and American oak. The nose shows red and black berries, fresh herbs, oyster shell and subtle oak spice. The palate is surprisingly medium bodied given an alcohol of 14.5% – not massively dense or structured, nicely dry on the finish and very approachable.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

De Toren Fusion V 2016
Price: R500
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 14% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. Matured in French and American oak, 50% new. Red and black berries, violets, herbs, a touch of mint and attractive oak on the nose. The palate is not without weight but stops short of being overdone – dense fruit, fresh acidity and fine tannins. Very cleverly put together.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

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