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Tasting notes
The maiden 2015 Telos is a vineyard and winery selection predesigned to create the flagship label for Tokara. It was matured in around two-thirds new oak for 22 months (see introduction for further details). It has a very clean, pure bouquet of blackberry, briar, cedar and light mint aromas that lend it a Pauillac-like personality. The palate is well balanced with slightly grainy tannin, very well-judged acidity, smooth texture, and blackberry, raspberry, black tea and tobacco scents that fan out toward the finish. I like the precision here - an almost "manicured" Cabernet Sauvignon that should mature nicely over the next 15 years. Just 1,000 bottles produced.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Dry growing season. Wet winter gave even budbreak. Uniform ripeness at harvest. Cooler February, so long hang-time; yet harvest was early. Very luxurious oak scent; pure vanilla, ripe cherry. Very fine tannins with polish and sculpture and poise. Glossy, well-made structure with evident and impeccable quality control. Doesn’t fall into the trap of overripe fruit, and there is proper persistence. There is a European sensibility here in the savoury finish, but the fruit purity does speak of the New World. Reminds me a lot of Penfolds Bin 389. Perhaps the only criticism is its perfection and sleekness; there are no rough edges, no hidden secrets – yet there is ageability that might unveil more. (RH)