The Tower Edition Z

This is one of the flagship wines of the magnificent South African winery De Toren. De Toren's wines are based on and inspired by French Bordeaux wines, and we taste that clearly in the full, ripe style of this De Toren Z, among others. Winemaker Charles Williams, head winemaker since 2011, crafts this red wine with great love and expertise. He explains that this red De Toren Z is inspired by a Saint-Émilion wine because it consists of more than half Merlot grapes. A portion of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec is also used. And not to forget, a tiny bit of Petit Verdot balances everything beautifully.

The old vineyard of De Toren Edition Z

The grapes for this red wine grow in Stellenbosch's perfect climate. Plenty of sunshine gives the grapes warmth and the perfect strength. Fortunately, to ensure a smooth sale, there's a breeze off the ocean, which cools the grapes at night and during the hot summers. The vines have deep roots in the clayey soil, allowing them to easily absorb moisture from the ground. The entire vineyard on the Polkadraai hills overlooking Stellenbosch is only 22 hectares, and this translates into the superb quality of De Toren Z.

Full and very powerful this De Toren Edition Z

Once the bunches are harvested entirely by hand, they are inspected again for imperfections. Only the finest bunches are used in this red wine, and we can certainly taste that too. After blending the correct proportions, this red Z is aged for a full twelve months in the cellars of the Tower. Both French and American oak barrels are used. This is to achieve greater diversity in the wine and a rounder juice in the glass, which we're very pleased with. The aroma reveals hints of rosehip, plums, and blackberries. The taste is incredibly full and complex with notes of cinnamon, red fruit, and plums. And let's not forget the lovely tannins! The finish is refined and elegant!