SOUTH AFRICA

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ARCHIVE

de Trafford Blueprint Shiraz
2009 Shiraz

Viticulture

Vineyard: Mostly from the neighboring Keermont vineyard, a north east facing block, some fruits from the new ‘Tip Top Montfleur’ vineyards, steep, stony, north west facing slope.
Soil Type: Red Hutton, medium potential decomposed granite & stony soil from the Tip Top Montfleur vineyard.
Vine Age: 11 years old and younger vines from Tip Top Montfleur.
Irrigation: Drip Method
Harvest Date: 19 February to March 13th 2009.
Yield: 5 (36 hl/ha) & 6 (43hl/ha) tons/ha

Vinification:

VINTAGE CONDITIONS
Typical cold, wet winter followed by a normal growing season with enough rain and warm weather to produce good, balanced growth. A hot, dry ripening period without excessive stress, producing concentrated wines with great structure. One of the best vintages of the decade.
A massive fire prior to harvest meant a very stressful start to the harvest, but also relief that de Trafford was spared any real damage.

PRODUCTION
Handpicking into 20 kg lugboxes. Destemming and gentle crushing directly into small open top fermentation tanks. Spontaneous natural yeast fermentation at max. 33Centigrade with the cap of skins punched down manually 2 to 3 times a day for an average of 16 days. Wine drained directly to barrels together with single pressing from basket press.
All de Trafford red wines undergo malolactic fermentation in the barrel.
22 months barrel aging with no new wood and only two rackings.
This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered by hand.

This Shiraz was added 8% of Petit Verdot from the Keermont vineyard.

Tasting Notes:

Color: Medium deep, bright red color.
Nose: Upfront wild dark berry fruit, black pepper and nutmeg nose.
Palate: Full, rich palate packed with complex, ripe fruits and a spicy, peppery overlay. Solid backbone.
Other: A little more structured than usual from the exceptional 2009 vintage, expected best between 2013 and 2020.
Ideal with a variety of rich and slightly spicy meat dishes.

Chemical Analysis:

Alc (%): 15.18
RS (g/l): 1.8
TA (g/l): 5.6
pH: 3.71