&
Sijnn Wines
Stellenbosch, South Africa
An excellent Merlot
There is nothing better than sitting in front of this
computer typing up this blog, from the United States about a South African
Winery. The reason it cannot get much better, is that I am enjoying a glass of
their 2009 Merlot while I am typing this paragraph, and will enjoy a few more
glasses as I finish this review. So here, we go…It was my fifth day in country
touring South Africa, and my second day dedicated to wine tasting, first in Constantia
and now Stellenbosch. In Constantia, I did a self-driving
tour as I went from vineyard to vineyard, and by the end of the day did not
feel like doing anymore driving, so when it came to Stellenbosch, I got smart
and hired a wine guide. For two main reasons, the guide would drive, a guide
could get me into more wineries, and I could learn more about the region by
discussing it with an expert. I hired Stephen Flesch owner of Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa. I discovered Stephen after reading a
book on South African tourism in the wine section and saw that he had been
recommended in the book by Frommer’s. Therefore, for R 1,900.00 per person
for a build your own style tour, Stephen picked me up in Cape Town and we were
off, and the next Stellenbosch winery tasting was at De Trafford Winery, and their sister
vineyard Sijnn. Wow there is
some spice on this wine…Love it.
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Wine
Dine and Play’s ratings for wine:
96 – 100
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Extraordinary
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90 – 95
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Outstanding
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80 – 89
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above average
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70 – 79
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below average
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60 – 69
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poor/appalling/ “Cac”
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Review basics:
Wine, Dine, & Play’s Rating
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95/100, on the Merlot
2009 and Elevation 393 (2004)
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Wine Spectator
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Syrah 2009 91/100, Syrah 393 2010
94 points,
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Sijnn Syrah 2011 5 of 5 stars.
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Wines Produced - De Trafford
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Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, &
Red Blends,
White: Chenin Blanc
Dessert: Straw Wine
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Wines Produced - Sijnn
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White: Chenin Blanc, Viognier
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Grape Blends - both vineyards
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Cab-merlot blend
White: Chenin Blanc, Viognier
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Current Vintage for 2014
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Reds: 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011
Whites: 2009, 2012
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Region Map
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Stellenbosch
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Regulatory
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ABV %
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Elevation: 14.56%, Syrah: 15.72%, Merlot: 15.26%
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Barrel Types
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New French oak
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Barrel Aging
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18 to 22 months depending on the wine
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South
African wine Quality Standards:
Unlike some European countries, South Africa does not have
any requirements for the process of making wines in a particular region—for
instance, allowing only certain trellising methods or varietals. However, there
are certain quality requirements. For a
wine to be labeled as a particular varietal or as coming from a particular
region, estate, or vineyard, it must also not display any “unacceptable quality
characteristics,” which means the wine may not be turbid, contain excess
sediment or crystals, have faulty/insufficient color, or display undesirable
flavor characteristics. Among the several characteristics listed as
unacceptable, a wine may not be overly tannic, thin or watery, or oxidized. For
a wine to be labeled as coming from a particular area, 100% of the grapes used
to make the wine must have been grown there, and producers may only label their
wines using officially-recognized geographic areas. In addition to designating a particular
geographic unit, region, district, or ward, a producer may also designate the
wine as coming from a particular estate or may label it as a “single vineyard
wine.” However, to do so the producer
must first register the area where the grapes were grown with the Wine and
Spirit Board. Single-vineyard wines must
have been made from a single varietal that is produced in the area registered
with the board, and the area registered may be no larger than 6 hectares. Estate wines must be made entirely—including
bottling—in the registered area where the grapes were grown. Also, if a particular varietal—or “cultivar”
as the law defines it—is listed on the bottle, at least 85% of the grapes used
in making the wine must have been of that type. This same 85% rule applies to
designating a particular vintage year.
Cases Produced:
Per Year:
De Trafford Merlot 2009
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689
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De Trafford Blueprint Syrah 2011
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539
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Elevation 393 (2004)
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710 / 6 p/cs
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Sijnn White 2012
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563
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Sijnn 2009
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1160
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Sijnn Syrah 2011
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143
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Price chart:
$ - Under $50.00 USD
$$ - Over $50.00 USD
$$$ - Over $100.00 USD
$$$$ - Over $200.00 USD
$$$$$- Over $400.00 USD
Bottle prices:
Wine Selction:
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Currency:
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Country:
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Price Chart :
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De Trafford Merlot 2009 (750 ml)
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R200.00
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ZAR
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$18.28
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USD
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$
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£10.98
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GBP
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 |
£
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€13.31
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EUR
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 |
€
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¥111.84
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CNY
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 |
¥¥¥
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De Trafford Blueprint Syrah 2011 (750 ml)
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R185.00
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ZAR
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$16.91
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USD
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$
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£10.16
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GBP
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£
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€12.31
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EUR
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€
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¥103.45
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CNY
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¥¥¥
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Elevation 393 - 2004 (750 ml)
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R500.00
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ZAR
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$45.69
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USD
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$
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£27.46
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GBP
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£
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€33.27
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EUR
|
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€
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¥279.59
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CNY
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¥¥¥¥
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Sijnn White 2012 (750 ml)
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R150.00
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ZAR
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$13.71
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USD
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$
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£8.24
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GBP
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£
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€9.98
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EUR
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€
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¥83.88
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CNY
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¥¥
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2 Sijnn 2009 (750 ml)
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R190.00
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ZAR
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$17.39
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USD
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$
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£10.44
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GBP
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£
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€12.64
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EUR
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€
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¥106.24
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CNY
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¥¥¥
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Sijnn Syrah 2011 (750 ml)
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R170.00
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ZAR
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$15.54
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USD
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$
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£9.34
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GBP
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£
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€11.31
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EUR
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€
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¥95.06
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CNY
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¥¥
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Visit these sites to
get up to date currency rates:
Alternatively, visit:
Cost of wine tasting in USD (p/p):
Signature tasting:
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$5.00
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Scroll down below to the main review to read the tasting notes
From vineyards home page:
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. 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.
SIJNN is the original Khoisan name for the Breede River.
This exciting new vineyard was established in 2004 on a stony plateau between
the hamlet of Malagas and the fishing village of Cape Infanta, 230km east of
Cape Town. The vineyards are 70m above the river, 25km from the mouth, but 15km
from the sea as the crow flies. The complex stony soils, comprising pudding
stones over fractured shale, together with a warm dry climate (350mm) moderated
by the constant sea breezes, encourages the vines to produce tiny yields of
concentrated fruit with a fresh, complex mineral character. The focus has been
on top quality Mediterranean varieties: Syrah, Mourvedre, Touriga Nacional and
Trincadeira as well as Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne for the White
blend. Future plantings include Tempranillo, Nebbiolo and Grenache.
Main review:
Stephen Flesch of Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa had picked me up in Cape Town, and we
had just finished a tasting at Ken Forrester, and Meerlust vineyards, before stopping here at De Trafford. It was a nice country drive
after leaving Ken Forrester before arriving on the property. The property is
very small and their tasting hours are limited (see tasting hours below). When
we arrived, they were very busy, which is to be expected since Wine Spectator
wrote them up in a major article on South African Wines, the first such article
they did on South Africa.
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| Picture Courtesy of De Trafford vineyards |
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| Straw Wine production courtesy of De Trafford vineyards |
The other wines I tasted were from the Sijnn Vineyard
consisting of a 2012 white blend of Chenin Blanc and Viognier, a 2009 red
blend, and a 2011 Syrah, the red blend being my favorite of the tasting. Of the
tastings I had done thus far, De Trafford set at the top of my favorites, and I
am glad that Cape Ardor out of San
Francisco offers their wines here in the United States as well as Boutique Wine Collection out of Philadelphia.
I will be ordering some more Merlot and elevation 393 soon, as well as some of
the red blended Sijnn. For exporters outside the United States click this link
of export agents for De Trafford.
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| Grape storage, picture courtesy of De Trafford wines |
Now because I was part of a tour, the tastings were included
in the overall price for each winery that day. As an American visiting South
Africa, the tastings in both Constantia and Stellenbosch were an experience
within themselves, much different to the tastings in Napa and Sonoma,
California. Most tastings in California, Washington State, New York, and Oregon
starts at $25.00-$40.00, so when I found out the cost for the tastings in South
Africa I was shocked. The average is $3.00-$6.00, De Trafford and Sijnn being $5.00
(ZAR50.00)
This or these wines remind me
of:
The Merlot, and Elevation 393 Merlot which I am now on my
forth glass of from the bottle as I write this is one of the top five merlots I
have had, and compare it to my number one favorite, from Emmolo Wine company, Napa
Valley, California. In addition, the Sijnn red 2009 reminded me of Kamen Vineyards in Sonoma, California and their famous Rhone blend, just superb.
Bouquet
& Palette:
Wine & Grape:
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Nose:
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Palette Experience:
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Attractive dark, bright red color. Pure dark red berry and
cherry fruit with intriguing smokes nuts & spices and a little herbaceous
character.
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These flavors follow through on the palate with lovely
fine, dry tannins and a soft, long finish. Probably best between 2014 and
2024. Good with Lamb or red pasta, or even writing a review like I am doing
now.
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Deep, dark red color. Intense dark berry and a little
cherry fruit, black & white pepper.
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Full, rich palate packed with intense ripe fruit and a
spicy, peppery overlay. Expected best between 2014 and 2020.
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Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 27%, Shiraz 13%. Wine was
bottled by hand, unfined and unfiltered, on the property. Impressive
deep red / purple color. Smoky blackcurrant and spicy fruitcake aromas.
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Already well, knit structure with dense tannins and rich,
complex fruit. Probably best between 2008 and 2015. Low sulphites – could
qualify for an organic wine.
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An attractive pale yellow color. A lovely mineral, apricot
/ peach nose with honey & nuts complementing.
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A rich and full palate with fresh fruit & all the
other complex flavors carrying it to a long finish. Excellent with a wide
range of food from rich fish, seafood, creamy poultry or as an aperitif.
Should age well over 3 to 4 years.
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Shiraz 46%; Mourvedre 29%; Touriga Nacional 13%;
Trincadeira 6%; Cabernet Sauvignon 6%. Slate, wild berries, herbs, liquorice
and subtle barrel maturation character adding to the beguiling nose
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Substantial palate with a rich texture and layered,
complex flavors and an attractive dry finish. Already a wine worth savoring, we
are convinced it will develop beautifully over the next three years or more.
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Subtle slate and red fruit on the nose. Quite restrained,
but very attractive. Firm, but soft and quite a fine texture.
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Quite restrained on the palate but with a long fine finish
promising great development over at least 4 or 5 years. Has enough zest to go
with a rich pasta dish, mushroom risotto and subtle red meat dishes.
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Château or Vineyard Owner:
David Trafford and Family
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| Picture courtesy of De Trafford Vineyard |
Viticulturist:
HENDRY HESS
Tasting room address:
Blaauwklip Road
Stellenbosch 7599
South Africa
Cross streets:
Blaauwklip Road & Stellenrust Road
Contact Information:
Tasting room:
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+27 21 880 1611
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Fax:
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+27 86 542 3959
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Website:
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Email:
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Hours of tastings:
Friday and Saturday mornings between
10:00 and 13:00
S. African Standard Time (GMT +2:00)
Review by:
Chef Sean Overpeck (CFE) opening a De Trafford Merlot 2009
Chef Sean cooks for soldiers in Afghanistan, 2012:
“I like cooking with wine;
sometimes I even add it to the food.”
