** THIS WINE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR DISCOUNTS
Wine Composition
56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot & 22% Shiraz
Winemakers Comments
Medium deep red color with a little sediment. Beguiling nose of rich blackberries, sweet forest floor and complex spices. As the wine opens up the typical cigarbox Cabernet character comes to the fore. Full, rich, soft and substantial palate with lingering flavors. Satin texture of finely evolved tannins. Drink 2018 to 2025. Enjoy with mushroom risotto or slow roasted beef.
Awards
Tim Atkin| 93 points
Technical Analysis
Alcohol Percentage
15.38%
TA
5.3 g/l
pH
3.6
RS
2.4 g/l
Vineyards/Vintage
A late 2010 winter with a little below average rainfall, but cold enough in May to ensure even bud-break in spring. The growing season was cool with some regular rainfall, which made up for the drier winter. Flowering was good and although December was very windy (most in 42 years), no damage and a normal healthy crop of very good quality. The harvest period was very hot and dry, but they managed to get all the grapes to the cellar in the cool mornings at optimum ripeness. An intense, powerful vintage, ripe but balanced.
Cellar Techniques
Handpicking into 20 kg lugboxes. 100% destemming and gentle crushing directly into open top fermenters. Spontaneous natural yeast fermentation @ max. temp. 29°C - 31°C. Time on skins 12 - 15 days, with cap of skins punched down (pigeage) 1 – 4 times a day. Wine drained directly to barrels together with single pressing from traditional basket press. Mostly new French oak used. Blending done after 9 months. Time in barrel 22 months, which included several rackings to gradually clarify the wine and assist maturation.
Winemaker
Name - David Trafford
Winery
De Trafford Winery is situated on the beautiful Mont Fleur farm set at the top of a dramatic valley above Stellenbosch, 380m up between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains, right at the end of the Blaauwklip road, between Stellenbosch and Somerset West.
The history of wine growing on this mountain farm started with the purchase of the property in 1976 by the Trafford family as inaccessible grazing land. Many of the high altitude slopes were deemed suitable for high-quality red grape varieties. Unfortunately, due to the absurd quota restrictions, planting a commercial vineyard had to wait 18 years. In 1983 a small vineyard was established to produce experimental wines – consumed by family and friends! These were our learning curve years ( 1984 – 1991 ), which included lots of help and advice from local winemakers and working experience in France, particularly in the Bordeaux area.
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