Cabernet Sauvignon, the king of red grapes, is a grape of unmatched power, structure, and longevity. At De Toren, it is the cornerstone of our winemaking philosophy, much like the Left Bank of Bordeaux, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme in some of the world’s most revered wines.
Why Cabernet Sauvignon?
In crafting our wines, we chose Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant cultivar for Fusion V and Book XVII due to its extraordinary ability to impart structure, elegance, and complexity to a blend. On its own, Cabernet Sauvignon expresses dark fruit flavours—blackcurrant, blackberry, and plum—complemented by notes of tobacco, leather, and cedar. These characteristics, along with its firm tannins, make it the ideal grape for wines that are both powerful and age-worthy.
In a blend, Cabernet Sauvignon provides the essential framework around which the other varietals can evolve, contributing to the wine’s body, structure, and cellaring potential. Cabernet Sauvignon’s intensity is balanced by softer varietals such as Merlot and Cabernet Franc, which add plushness, aromatic complexity, and supple tannins.
While Cabernet Sauvignon offers undeniable rewards, it is a varietal that demands patience and precision. Its thick skins and late ripening make it challenging in the vineyard, requiring careful attention to ensure optimal ripeness without sacrificing balance. Managing tannins is another key challenge, as over-extraction can lead to overly astringent wines, while under-extraction may result in a lack of structure. At De Toren, we carefully monitor every step of the process, from harvest to fermentation, to achieve a wine that is bold yet harmonious.
