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ERNIE ELS WINES PLACES A SIGNIFICANT EMPHASIS ON CABERNET
SAUVIGNON UNDER THE EXPERT GUIDANCE OF WINEMAKER LOUIS STRYDOM
STUART BOTHA, WINEMAKER AT TOKARA, CRAFTED THE TOKARA RESERVE
2020, SCORING AN IMPRESSIVE 95 POINTS FROM GILBERT & GAILLARD
dusty aftertaste. Many winemakers use excessive oak to enhance youthful richness, which
results in bitterness with age. This journey culminates in wines that remain excellent even after
two decades.”
CABERNET SAUVIGNON’S STELLENBOSCH PROMISE
Among more stellar wineries that excelled in the Gilbert & Gaillard tasting, including Kanonkop,
Asara, Bartinney, Peter Falke, Stellenbosch Hills, Stark Conde, Kaapzicht, and more, their
consistent quality yielded international acclaim. Their wines are also perched on a phenomenal
tourism model, strengthened by Stellenbosch Cabernet, that lures visitors to experience the
wines at their cellar door. Ernie Els, a leading proponent of wine tourism and Stellenbosch as a
Cabernet destination, highlights the region’s ability to produce premium Cabernet Sauvignon
and enjoy it in an elegant environment.
“From Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé to Bordeaux-style blends, we employ gentle extraction techniques
to express the region’s exceptional ability to produce premium Cabernet Sauvignon (their
2018 vintage scoring an impressive 95 points). The best possible expression of our unique terroir
remains the underlying message and experience we want to leave with our guests,” says cellar
master Louis Strydom.
As we ascend the picturesque Helshoogte, Tokara and Thelema’s cellar doors further celebrate
Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon while embracing the region’s rich wine, food, and art culture.
Tokara’s mantra: “We make wine that moves mountains,” reflects their commitment to crafting
exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon - as the 95 score for their Tokara Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 attests, taking another leap for Stellenbosch’s enduring legacy as a world-class destination.
AUTUMN 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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