SOUTH AFRICA
De Trafford Straw Wine
2006 Chenin Blanc
Viticulture
| Vineyard: |
South-West |
| Soil Type: |
Deep red Hutton, gravelly Hutton |
| Vine Age: |
20-34 yrs |
| Irrigation: |
Lightly irrigated |
| Harvest Date: |
7/2/2006 – 16/3/2006 |
| Yield: |
2-6 tons/ha |
Vinification:
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 flavours, before reharvesting in the cool mornings. Fermented with natural yeasts and matured for 21 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. 15% 2007 included. The VA of the 2007 portion was reduced by about 20%.
Tasting Notes:
| Color: |
Attractive yellow gold color |
| Nose: |
Quite closed shortly after bottling, but with great intensity. A little more lime/lemon character together with the usual dried apricot, nuts, honey and buttered toast. |
| Palate: |
The palate is intensely sweet yet not cloying, fresh and lively yet richly oxidative with a long clean and complex finish. |
| Other: |
Delicious with good patés, biscotti and various hard cheeses. A rewarding challenge to match with desserts!
These are naturally made, living wines which may deposit a sediment and / or tartrate crystals – a healthy sign of a handcrafted wine. |
Chemical Analysis:
| Alc (%): |
12.0 |
| RS (g/l): |
226.8 |
| TA (g/l): |
6.7 |
| pH: |
3.84 |
