Patronus 2021
Stellenbosch, De Toren, 750 ml
| Grape variety: | Malbec |
| Producer: | De Toren |
| Origin: | South Africa / Coastal Region / Stellenbosch |
Description
De Toren Patronus is a tribute to one of the original, noble French grape varieties, the Malbec, which remains one of De Toren's most prized varieties. This single-varietal wine, made from decades-old Malbec vines, matured for 18 months in predominantly French oak barrels. It presents itself on the nose with notes of lush, fully ripened plums, accompanied by blackcurrants, spicy notes, cedar wood and a hint of vanilla. Full-bodied and opulent on the palate, with a wide range of flavours, mineral notes and a robust tannin structure. This Patronus has phenomenal ageing potential and is a true jewel of the South African wine world that demands attention and rewards appreciation with maximum enjoyment! Limited availability!
Attributes
| Origin: | South Africa / Coastal Region / Stellenbosch |
| Grape variety: | Malbec |
| Ripening potential: | 3 to 20 years |
| Drinking temperature: | 15 to 18 °C |
| Food Pairing: | Saddle of lamb fillet with herb jus, Bistecca fiorentina, T-Bone steak, Wild specialities |
| Harvest: | hand-picking, strict selection |
| Maturation: | in partly new and used barriques/ Pièces |
| Maturation duration: | 18 months |
| Volume: | 14.5 % |
| Note: | Contains sulphites |
De Toren
De Toren is one of the first wineries in South Africa to producing classic Bordeaux-style wines. Since its foundation, the De Toren vision has been and remains the reinterpretation of the Bordeaux concept and to create unique South African wines from the five grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. De Toren is one of the first wineries in South Africa to producing classic Bordeaux-style wines. Since its foundation, the De Toren vision has been and remains the reinterpretation of the Bordeaux concept and to create unique South African wines from the five grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
This acclaimed winery is located at the highest point of the Polkadraai Road in the Polkadraai Hills, boasting a view over False Bay and onward to the Atlantic Ocean.
Malbec
New Home, New Fortune
The Malbec once belonged to the classic assortment of varieties from Bordeaux. But it was demanding to cultivate, and in the changeable climate of the Bordelais it often became green and herbaceous, so winemakers replaced it with Merlot in the middle of the 20th century. Luckily, the Malbec found a new home in Argentina. In 1868, a Frenchman brought the first stocks along to the land of the Andes. Today, the Malbec is the most-planted variety there. Especially in Mendoza, it shows what it can do: it yields very dark, well-structured wines with aromas of black fruit, violets and game. They just call out for an Argentinean steak! The Malbec has its origins in Cahors, in southwestern France. There, it is kept today under the name Cot. Due to their earthy tannins, in the middle ages the growths from this area were also called "the black wines of Cahors".
