Tokara 2019 Shiraz, South Africa

The 2019 Shiraz from Tokara speaks more to precision than to power. Stellenbosch gives the fruit its depth—blackberry, plum, a touch of cassis—but what defines the wine is its restraint. Fresh acidity runs through the center, sharpening the edges and keeping everything lifted.

There’s spice here, but it’s not overwhelming. Black pepper and clove sit just behind the fruit, joined by a mineral streak that reads almost like graphite. The tannins are present but fine, offering shape without closing the wine down. It feels structured, balanced, and deliberate.

This isn’t a Shiraz built to overwhelm you. It doesn’t chase ripeness or oak-driven weight. Instead, it finds power in clarity—dark fruit framed by freshness, length carried by balance. The finish is savory, clean, and quietly persistent.

Tokara shows that South African Shiraz can stand confidently beside the great cool-climate examples of the world. It’s not trying to be anything else, and that honesty is exactly what makes it compelling.