The Tower

De Toren is one of South Africa 's leading wineries for Bordeaux-inspired blends . The estate is internationally renowned for its precise style, focus on structure, and the wines' ability to develop over time in the bottle.

The winery De Toren

De Toren Private Cellar was founded with a clear ambition: to produce wines that rival the great Bordeaux blends, yet are fully shaped by the South African terroir. From the outset, the emphasis has been on quality over volume, with low yields and a strong focus on detail.

De Toren is one of the pioneers who put Stellenbosch on the international map as a source for serious, structured red wine.

Origin and location

De Toren's vineyards are located in Stellenbosch , a region known for its diverse soils, varying elevations, and cooling ocean influences. This combination produces ripe grapes while retaining the freshness and tension essential for Bordeaux-style blends.

The location makes Stellenbosch particularly suitable for grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot .

Grapes and style

De Toren works almost exclusively with classic Bordeaux grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon often forms the backbone, supplemented with Merlot , Cabernet Franc , Petit Verdot , and Malbec , depending on the wine and vintage.

The corporate identity of De Toren is characterised by:

• clear structure and layering
• refined, ripe tannins
• balance between power and elegance
• clear storage potential

The wines are never designed for quick consumption, but rather for development and complexity over time. And they do this admirably.

The top wines of De Toren

De Toren is known for a number of iconic cuvées, each of which plays a role within the range: Patronus (Malbec),The Black Lion (Syrah) and The Book 17 (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon & Malbec).

Fusion V is the house's absolute flagship wine. This wine is a classic Bordeaux blend that combines all five traditional Bordeaux grape varieties. Fusion V symbolizes De Toren's philosophy: precision, structure, and harmony. It's a wine deliberately designed for aging, gaining depth and nuance with age.

De Toren also produces single-varietal wines that highlight specific grapes. These wines showcase how Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Cabernet Franc individually translate to the Stellenbosch terroir, while maintaining the house's signature style.

Together, these wines form a clear hierarchical whole, with Fusion V as the ultimate expression of De Toren.

Vinification and philosophy

At De Toren, we use parcel-specific vinification. Grapes are harvested by hand and fermented separately, allowing each component to be precisely applied in the final blend. Aging in oak is carefully applied to enhance structure and complexity without overpowering the fruit.

This meticulous approach is in keeping with the classic Bordeaux philosophy, but with a modern precision.

The position of The Tower within South Africa

De Toren is often seen as a benchmark for internationally renowned South African blends. The house proves that Stellenbosch can deliver not only power but also finesse, balance, and cellaring potential.

Over the years, De Toren has acquired a permanent place in the premium segment of South African wine.

The Tower at Perfectewijn.nl

At Perfecte Wijn, you'll find De Toren for those seeking South African wine with structure, elegance, and aging potential. With wines like Fusion V, this house demonstrates how compelling Bordeaux-inspired blends can be outside of Europe.