2013 De Toren Book XVII
Region: Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South Africa
Day five on the cruise and this night at Giovanni's Table, the Italian restaurant, aboard the Allure of the Seas. We decided to open up two South African beauties for this.
Deep ruby red with a slight garnet hue on the edges. Layered nose with dark cocoa, floral notes, dark berries and spices. Some classic 'South African' chalk as well. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and medium plus to full bodied. Dusty dark black cherries on the attack with some black currants, dark spices, a touch earthy, vanilla and some nutmeg. Seems quite restrained and reserved but well integrated as well. Dry and long finish.
Third time trying this limited bottling by De Toren Private Cellars with only 1,132 bottles produced in the 2013 vintage (this was bottle #70). This wine is made through the use of extreme winemaking techniques such as extreme cropping, extensive hand sorting, 200% new French oak for a total of 18 months and unfiltered. You are probably wondering how it can be 200%? This is done by aging the wine in 100% new French oak barrels for twelve months before transferring them to another set of 100% new French oak barrels for six additional months.
2016 till 2037.
Price Point:
$$$$ - Purchased from the estate for $169.77.Deep ruby red. Very dark nose with tons of spices and soft dark berries. Heavy tannins (7/10) with a medium plus body. Dark fruits on the palate with floral notes as well. More feminine than expected. A touch dry with dark minerality in the medium plus to long finish.
One of the top Bordeaux blends out of South Africa. Aged for 12 months in 100% new French oak barrels before being transfered for another 6 months in a 100% new set of French oak barrles. Bottle number 6 out of 1,132.
2016 till 2027.
Price Point:
$$$$ - Purchased from the estate for $169.77.Dark ruby red. Layered aromas of some greenery, and soft dark berries. Warm palate with notes of olives and slight smokiness surronding the light berry notes. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and fully integrated. Full bodied and long finish. A lot more drinkable than expected. Not sure if this will last as long as the estate thinks.
2016 till 2030.
Price Point:
$$$$ - Purchased from the estate for $169.77.