2017 DE TOREN FUSION V STELLENBOSCH 750ML

VINEYARDS:
Situated in the Polkadraai Hills of Stellenbosch at altitudes of 655 feet above sea level the De Toren vineyards benefit from cooling breezes off False Bay located approximately six miles to the south. There are 15 different soil types found on the estate but the Cabernet-based Fusion V hails mainly from gravelly soils of Tukulu and Pinedene.

VINTAGE:
“Balance” is the best way to sum up the 2014 vintage! Substantial rainfall from winter through to spring preceding the harvest led to excessive vegetative growth in the vines and uneven berry set requiring intense work in the vineyards to keep the vines in balance. Summer brought near perfect weather conditions with moderate to warm days. Significant drops in overnight temperatures allowed for slow ripening in the berries. The grapes came in with great natural acidity lower than normal sugar levels and perfect phenolic ripeness giving us wines of great character freshness and balance.

VINIFICATION AND MATURATION:
The grapes were handpicked in the cool early morning hours and transported in small baskets to the winery’s cold room. From there the grapes were hand sorted de-stemmed and gently crushed before being gravity fed into open-top fermentation tanks. Regular manual punch downs were performed during fermentation. The wine was basket pressed and gravity fed into 225 liter oak barrels (50% new 50% second fill) where it was aged in a climatized barrel cellar for 12 months. Each varietal component was vinified and aged separately. All varietals were aged in French oak with the exception of Malbec which was aged in American oak.

TASTING NOTES:
The Cape’s first five-varietal Bordeaux blend Fusion V has become one of South Africa’s most sought-after and iconic bottlings. The nose reveals vibrant aromas of fennel blueberries and ripe cherries with supporting nuances of dark bitter chocolate leather and cedar. The palate offers pure concentrated fruit flavors of berries and dried cherries with complex hints of cinnamon spice and tobacco leaf. Complex elegant and beautifully balanced this Left Bank Bordeaux-inspired bottling displays fine silky tannins which coat the mouth and linger on the finish.