SOUTH AFRICA


de Trafford Straw Wine
2003 Chenin Blanc

Viticulture

Vineyard: On a cool high altitude Soth Western slope the second block is on the lower slopes of the Helderberg, 8 km from the cooling influence of the sea.
Soil Type: Deep red Hutton soil with good moisture retention andGravelly Hutton, Estcourt soils.
Vine Age: One block ( Keerweder ) 31 year old vines and a second block( Post House ) 17 & 19 year old vines.
Irrigation: Lightly irrigated
Harvest Date: From the 4th of February to the 7th of March 2003.
Yield: 5 and 9 tons per hectare.

Vinification:

The first of its kind in South Africa.
It seems like just yesterday we encouraged the Wine and Spirit Board to form this entirely new category “Wine from naturally dried grapes" but this is now our seventh year of production and possibly the best yet!
An ideal vintage for this style of wine. The warm, dry conditions produced a small crop of excellent quality. These conditions continued during the drying process producing very sweet, concentrated grapes.
The grapes were picked at optimum ripeness and laid out on drying racks in 70% shade for 3 weeks. This allows the grapes to concentrate sugars, acids and flavors, before reharvesting in the cool mornings.
Fermented with natural yeasts and matured for 17 months using mostly new 225 l oak barrels – 60% French and 40% American.
Racked while in barrel to remove heavy sediment and lightly bentonite fined before bottling unfiltered.
Production: 560 cases (6 x 375 ml)
These are naturally made, living wines which may deposit a sediment and / or tart rate crystals – a healthy sign of a handcrafted wine.

Tasting Notes:

Color: Attractive deep yellow color.
Nose: Complex marzipan, honey, dried apricot and citrus nose.
Palate: The palate is sweet and concentrated with just enough acidity and oak tannins to compliment and deliver a long, lingering finish.
Other: This wine is a dessert all on its own - a real treat after the meal. Delicious with biscotti and various nuts. Compliments slightly tart fruit desserts and good patés beautifully.

Chemical Analysis:

Alc (%): 13.7
RS (g/l): 192.0
TA (g/l): 7.3
pH: 3.62