The Tokara winemaking team is on top of the world with three Wines of the Year and nine wines, starring Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon in the leading role, scoring 91 points or more in Tim Atkin’s much anticipated South Africa 2021 Special Report.

The single minded focus on Cabernet Sauvignon as Tokara’s signature grape variety is paying dividends with high scores for all three tiers as well as the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon-driven blend.

Top achiever this year is the TELOS 2016 on 96/100, the second vintage of Tokara’s lauded pinnacle Cabernet Sauvignon and one of the estate’s Wines of the Year with 95 points or more. The epitome of precision, this masterly crafted wine stands proud alongside the best in the world.

“Like the maiden release, it’s a wine that’s gentle and beguiling rather than a palate-assaulting blockbuster, with rose petal, cedarwood and tobacco leaf aromas, sweet raspberry and mulberry fruit, very fine, detailed tannins, subtle wood spice and more acidity than many 2016s.Good now, but will develop further complexity over the next 5-10 years,” is how Atkin describes the new TELOS vintage.

His second highest score of 95 points goes to the Director’s Reserve Red 2018, with the Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 and the Tokara Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 scoring 94 and 91 respectively. Atkin describes the Director’s Reserve Red as ‘delivering the goods,’ adding that this medley of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec has ‘lovely freshness and flavours of balsam, blueberry and coffee bean.’

The highest scoring Tokara white wine is the signature Director’s Reserve White 2018 on 95 points. ‘Tokara’s reliably brilliant white Bordeaux blend,’ is Atkin’s take on this wine, describing it as ‘taut, waxy and saline, with tangy herbal and grapefruit flavours.’

The other stand-out whites are the Reserve Collection Chardonnay 2019 and the Reserve Collection Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2020 both on 93 points.

Also standing tall on 93 points is the ultra-elegant Tokara Cap Classique 2013, while the Reserve Collection Syrah 2017 fetched 92 points.

Atkin is a UK Master of Wine and accomplished wine commentator with extensive experience when it comes to South Africa. His annual South Africa Special Report, now in its 9th year, is highly regarded internationally as an independent assessment of the country’s wines.

The forward thinking vision of owners GT and Anne-Marie Ferreira to produce world class TOKARA wines without compromise and with a distinct South African identity, has seen this prestigious Stellenbosch property consistently produce exceptional, award winning vintages for more than 20 years.

For more information on TOKARA wines, visit www.tokara.com.