SOUTH AFRICA
de Trafford Shiraz
2008 Shiraz
Viticulture
Vineyard: |
“Mont Fleur” vineyard – high altitude Helderberg mountain NW facing slope. The new “Tip Top Mont Fleur” vineyard is planted immediately above the existing Shiraz vineyard in 2003. |
Soil Type: |
Mont Fleur; steeply sloping site with rocky, granitic based Hutton soil. Tip Top Vineyard is steeper and stonier. |
Vine Age: |
Mont Fleur 13 years old and Tip Top 5 years old. |
Irrigation: |
Drip Method |
Harvest Date: |
1st to 10th of March |
Yield: |
Mont Fleur 4.5 tons / ha, Tip Top 5 t/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. As in 2007 the Shiraz seemed to relish the knife-edge harvest conditions with small heat waves alternating with short, wet, cold spells. Though overall a little wetter over the harvest period. It seemed to bring out a spiciness and elegance similar to 2007, just a little softer and less intense.
PRODUCTION
Handpicking into 20 kg crates. Destemming and gentle crushing directly into small 2 ton open top fermentation tanks. Spontaneous natural yeast fermentation at max. 31°C with the cap of skins punched down manually 1 to 4 times a day for 14 days. Wine drained directly to barrels together with single pressing from traditional basket press.
de Trafford red wines undergo malolactic fermentation in the barrel. 50% new fine grained, slow toasted French oak was used. 20 months in barrel with only 2 gentle rackings. This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered by hand.
Bottling date 11Dec 2009. Production : 286 x 12 x 750ml
Tasting Notes:
Color: |
Deep dark red color. |
Nose: |
Big, rich spicy blue & blackberry nose. |
Palate: |
Great intensity and complexity. Rich ripe fruit and spicy palate. Big soft tannins. Slightly sweet fruit comes out as the wine opens up. |
Other: |
Drink now to 2018. Best with dry aged sirloin or rump. |
Chemical Analysis:
Alc (%): |
15.98 |
RS (g/l): |
2.8 |
TA (g/l): |
5.1 |
pH: |
3.74 |