On The Shelf

Tokar Estate releases 2021 Carafe and Tumbler Cabernet Shiraz Tempranillo

Tokar Estate

Paying homage to Australia’s deep multicultural roots in a fresh and playful way, Tokar Estate has put a unique twist on the Cabernet Shiraz blend by adding in a big dash of the juicy Spanish grape, Tempranillo.

Affectionately known as CST, it’s the second wine Tokar Estate has released under its Carafe and Tumbler range, which consists of moreish, fun and fruit-driven wines to be enjoyed effortlessly with friends over pizza, a cheesy movie or even by yourself on the couch. They are unpretentious, highly drinkable and welcoming – without being similar to a typical house red that’s equal parts boring and cordial-like.

With the 2021 CST release, Tokar Estate winemaker, Martin Siebert, and director, Daniel Tokar, wanted to achieve a wine where the blend raises eyebrows more than the individual grapes on their own, and showcase how they can work in unison while also being complex at the same time.

Tokar Estate’s playful take on a Cabernet Shiraz is deep and vivid ruby in colour with a blue tinge. 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. There are notes of dark chocolate, blood orange and graphite. It’s a little more serious than you might think, with ample fine tannins caressing the mouth on the long finish and a cranberry-like tartness. While many will enjoy the youthfulness of this wine, there’s no rush here.

When you’re next meeting your friends for a vino and dinner, be sure to take a bottle of Tokar Estate’s 2021 Cabernet Shiraz Tempranillo along with you.

The grapes were entirely grown from Tokar Estate’s mature vines in ancient grey clay soils in Coldstream, Yarra Valley with the final makeup being 60 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 per cent Shiraz and 10 per cent Tempranillo.

The three varieties were picked and fermented separately as several small lots, generally as de-stemmed fruit and some with added stalks for seasoning. Once pressed off, the wines were matured in large, seasoned French oak barrels in our cool underground cellar where they underwent a long, slow, wild malolactic fermentation. Ten months on, the wines were blended, perfected and bottled whilst still bright, fresh and lively.

Tokar Estate’s 2021 Cabernet Shiraz Tempranillo retails for $30 and is available here.

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