Wine Composition

100% Merlot

Winemakers Comments

Lovely deep, bright red colour. Blackberry, plum and spices (clove and cinnamon) and a touch of fynbos herbs. Bright fruit on the palate with fine supple tannin. Nice balance of fruit and spice aspects follow through to a long finish. Drink now to 2030. Ideal with lamb and other red meat dishes as well as a baked pasta.

Technical Analysis

Vinification

The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are carefully matured in third fill French oak barrels for twelve months. The Malbec is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks to retain the primary fruit aromas and freshness of the wine. To release all the wonderful flavours of this wine, it is recommended to decant this wine at least one hour before the time and to serve this wine slightly chilled (11 - 13 degrees Celsius).

Winemaker

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.