Tokar Estate: Amazing Cabernet, Tempranillo and more!

9 Jun

When we were in Yarra Valley, Daniel Tokar met us on their property overlooking a vast expanse of vineyards and hills as far as the eye could see. It was a beautiful, beautiful location and the wines we tasted through that day surprised us. Elegant, old world Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo that could age? Damn straight. Now, we are so excited to offer these beautiful wines to you before anyone else. But first, a little background on Tokar Estate:

Tokar Estate is a family-owned and -operated winery, restaurant and cellar door that boasts spectacular views of the Yarra Valley. At the beautiful estate, visitors are encouraged to taste wines in the cellar door or to dine in the award-winning restaurant where they can experience a seasonal menu of modern Australian cuisine.

When owners Leon and Rita Tokar purchased the property in June 1995, hoping to produce grapes for their own consumption, the land was covered in thistles, tussock grass and teaming with snakes. True perseverance saw the couple transform the property into a usable piece of land, and the pair soon found that the fabulously positioned site with extremely fertile soils, was an ideal location for a modest planting of pinot noir.

With this humble beginning, Leon Tokar’s vision was born and in 1996, the vineyard was established with 12.5-hectares under vine and was producing premium fruit by 1998.

In 2012, winemaker Martin Siebert joined the Tokar Estate team, bringing with him a wealth of winemaking experience, gained in New Zealand and France. His passion for creating high-quality wines elevated the winery to new heights, helping to make it the successful established winery it is today.

Featured

2016 Tokar Estate Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml

SGD 62.00

Dense in colour with a brightness showing its youthfulness. The nose is complex with roast game, olives and blackcurrent. The palate being medium bodied with great intensity of flavour. Cherries and a lick of vanilla bring a brightness to the otherwise savoury palate. A nicely balanced wine with plenty of fresh acidity pushing the wine long and a tannin profile that will see this wine live a long life.

2019 Tokar Estate Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml

SGD 48.00

Deep ruby color with a purple tinge showing its youthfulness. The nose smells of classic Yarra Valley Cabernet, with violets, cigar box, vanilla, and red bell peppers lifting from the glass. The palate shows elegance and poise as the dark cherry and black current transition to charred meat, graphite, and tea. The fresh acidity and silky tannins will provide the structure to hold this wine together for 10+ years, but it is so very drinkable right now.

2020 Tokar Estate Carafe & Tumbler Pinot Noir Shiraz 750ml

SGD 50.00

This wine is bright ruby and that brightness is mirrored in the sweet perfume of strawberries, orange peal, cocoa and green tea. It’s reminiscent of Italian bitters. The medium bodied palate is big in fruit and has an attractive slipperiness in the mouth before the acid and gentle tannins engage leaving the finish dry. There are flavours of rockmelon and cherries with warmed spice and roasted sesame. It’s a very moreish wine and the bottle tends to empty quickly. This is one for immediate enjoyment.

2022 Tokar Estate Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 750ml

SGD 56.00

A bright ruby colour to the wine, with fresh strawberries, cherry and a delicate savoury spice on the finish. The palate is fresh, vibrant and generous. The structure relies on the bright acidity more than the tannins, keeping the wine aromatic, easy drinking and balanced. The wine finishes with an attractive subtle smokiness from the oak which compliments the lovely varietal fruit.

2021 Tokar Estate Yarra Valley Tempranillo 750ml

SGD 54.00

Vibrant and youthful in appearance. Sweet aromas of boysenberry and red liquorice leap from the glass before a sweetly fruited palate. Blood orange and cherries spiced with caraway seed. Soft and round but structured with tangy acidity and a gentle grip. Delicious drinking now.

2021 Tokar Estate Carafe & Tumbler Cabernet Sauvingon, Shiraz, Tempranillo 750ml

SGD 50.00

The colour of the wine is a deep and vivid ruby with a blue tinge, showing its youth. Attractive aromas of coffee, blackcurrant, red liquorice and a little autumnal leaf leap from the glass. The palate is plush, sweet-fruited and savoury at the same time. I’m seeing dark chocolate, blood orange and graphite. It’s a little more serious than first expected with ample fine tannins caressing the mouth on the long finish and a cranberry-like tartness. Whilst we really enjoy the youthfulness of this wine, there’s no rush here. Put a couple in the cellar for later. Food pairing wise, it's a versatile wine and is magic with a lamb chop.

2019 Tokar Estate Yarra Valley Shiraz 750ml

SGD 54.00

The colour is deep ruby and bright with a purple tinge. There’s a savoury, almost meaty (Bresaola) note upon first opening but this gives way to the aromas of fresh raspberries, bay leaves, olive brine and pepper. The palate is mouth-filling, elegant and bright fruited with flavours of red liquorice and blueberries before finishing with a little char. Great drinking now but could be cellared for another 5+ years.

2022 Tokar Estate Coldstream Vineyard Chardonnay 750ml

SGD 72.00

The wine has a slight green tinge to the pale gold colour that hints at the wine’s vibrancy. A cloud of apple pie, cinnamon and white peach aromas lift from the glass. The palate has impressive balance, being full flavoured yet elegant and shows flavours of grilled cashews, nectarine and white chocolate. There’s an acid backbone that gives the wine a long, limey finish. This wine has been released whilst tightly wound (and delicious) in its youth, it will evolve over the next 10+ years and develop further layers of complexity.

Trina Wong

Tokar Estate: Amazing Cabernet, Tempranillo and more!

Welcome to Washington

Meet Garth: Named Best Up & Coming New Winery in Australia