This small Stellenbosch producer has quietly positioned itself as one of South Africa’s best red wine producers. We visited them in 2009 and were impressed by how friendly and low key they were. We expected a winery with all the baggage that comes along with being a high end winery, meaning we expected pretense. Instead we were met by the winemaker who spent an hour with us and took pride in showing us around, without the slightest trace of bragging or an air of superiority. They are located in the Bottlerey Hills area of Stellenbosch, near such producers as Saxenburg, Bein and Jordan.

 

De Toren only makes two wines, both Bordeaux blends, one Cabernet Sauvignon dominated, the De Toren Fusion V 2009, and the other, the De Toren Z 2009 (pronounced as Zee) which is Merlot dominated. Both wines are exceptional in their own right, but the Fusion V is the wine of note and has been one of South Africa’s most highly rated red wines from numerous international media and critics over the past 10 years plus. It has gotten consistent 90 plus reviews for many years in a row.

 

The 2009 Fusion V may be one of the best ever produced from this boutique estate whose total production sits at around 8,000 cases a year, of which only around 800 cases of this wine were imported into the US. It was given a 92 pt Wine Spectator review as well as a being one of seven wines in the red blend category that received a 5 Star (*****) award in the 2012 John Platter wine guide. It is not inexpensive, but in light of its quality it can more than hold its own with many much more expensive wines. This has pedigree and class with the structure for a long aging. We sell this for $44.99 and $39.99 when you purchase 6 bottles or more. Stocks are limited so as always first come first served.