SOUTH AFRICA
de Trafford Straw Wine
2005 Chenin Blanc
Viticulture
| Vineyard: |
Keerweder block South West and Waterkloof block North. |
| Soil Type: |
Keerweder block deep red Hutton, Post House block Gravelly Hutton / Estcourt soil and Waterkloof block deep red Hutton. |
| Vine Age: |
1st Block 33 years old, 2nd block 19 and 21 years old and 3rd block 22 years old. |
| Irrigation: |
Lightly irrigated |
| Harvest Date: |
1 February 2005 to 17 March 2005. |
| Yield: |
Keerweder 3 tons/ha, Post House 5 tons/ha and Waterkloof 8 tons/ha. |
Vinification:
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
A trouble free growing season. The rain at the start of the harvest delayed putting out grapes on the rack, but weather during the drying period was excellent. This resulted in intense concentrated, high quality juice with less wastage and thus a higher production than usual.
PRODUCTION
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 re-harvesting in the cool mornings. Fermented with natural yeasts and matured for 19 months using mostly new 225 Litre oak barrels – 60% French and 40% American barrels. The wine was racked while in barrel to remove heavy sediment and lightly bentonite fined. The Volatile Acidity had to be reduced by about 20% a few months prior to bottling.
Tasting Notes:
| Color: |
Attractive Yellow Gold |
| Nose: |
Complex marzipan, burnt honey and dusty dried apricot nose. |
| Palate: |
The palate is sweet and concentrated with nice acidity and oak tannins to compliment and deliver a long, lingering finish. |
| Other: |
Delicious with biscotti, various cheeses and nuts. Compliments fruit desserts and good pâtés beautifully (although this usually overwhelms the next course). |
Chemical Analysis:
| Alc (%): |
12.5 |
| RS (g/l): |
179.8 |
| TA (g/l): |
6.3 |
| pH: |
3.87 |
