Tokara is one of the new and shining stars on the South African wine scene. It is owned by GT Ferreira who had initially purchased the farm for residential purposes.
The winery, on the R310 outside Stellenbosch, is nestled among vineyards and olive groves on the crest of the Helshoogte Pass with sweeping views across False Bay and all the way to Table Mountain.
Tokara prides itself on making wines that are site specific. Even though vineyards were initially planted on the southern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain at the Stellenbosch property, two other farms, Highlands in the Elgin district and Siberia in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus, were additionally acquired.
In doing so Tokara is able to produce wines which express the distinct characteristics of these three prime wine producing regions.
The cool air and low temperatures contribute to the excellent quality of Tokara wines. All viticulture procedures at Tokara strive to create a balance between the vegetative and reproductive qualities of the vine, which is beneficial to both the environment and the quality of the estate's final products
THE WINES
Tokara Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Western Cape, South Africa
This is a mixture of Stellenbosch, Elgin and Hemel en Aarde fruit. Fresh, focused and bright with good acidity and nice pure citrus fruit. 89/100
Tokara Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011 South Africa
Nice precision here with pure fruit and some nice mineral characters. Stylish with nice lemony fruit. 90/100
Tokara Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2010 South Africa
Green herbal nose with some whisky notes. The palate is intense and bold with green herbal fruit. Very lively and intense. 88/100
Tokara Director's Reserve White 2010 Stellenbosch, South Africa
Sauvignon and Semillon, barrel fermented. First vintage 2004, and first with Semillon in the blend was 2006. Powerful and intense with some tropical fruit, pear and citrus characters. Lovely grapefruit notes, too. Bold and delicious. 93/100
Tokara Chardonnay 2011 Western Cape, South Africa
From Stellenbosch, Elgin and Hemel en Aarde. Fresh, pure, crisp and fruit driven with good acidity and nice purity. Some white peach, too. Shows precision. 90/100
Tokara Reserve Collection Walker Bay Chardonnay 2009 Stellenbosch, South Africa
Toasty, taut and crisp with nice precision and intensity. The palate is fresh and fruity with some toasty richness and a smooth, creamy texture. Subtle fig and green pepper notes. 92/100
Tokara Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2010 South Africa
Fresh, precise and taut with nice lemony notes and a lively grapefruit character. Powerful, rich but with good acidity. 91/100
Tokara Shiraz 2009 Stellenbosch, South Africa
15.2% alcohol. Mostly from the Tokara property. Ripe, sweet and lush but still well defined with pure, vivid fruit: cherries and plums. Nice purity. 89/100
Tokara Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Stellenbosch, South Africa
Nice blackberry and blackcurrant fruit with some lushness. Pure, ripe and modern. 90/100
Tokara Reserve Collection Syrah 2010 Stellenbosch, South Africa
This is cofermented with 8% Viognier. Fresh, aromatic and pure with sweet perfume, showing a hint of apricot. The palate shows vivid black cherry fruit with nice density and some tannic structure. Pure, impressive and well defined. 94/100
Tokara Pinotage 2010 Stellenbosch, South Africa
Sweet, pure and vivid with nice definition and some spicy oak. Lovely juicy fruit. Ripe but structured with nice purity. 90/100
