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Trafford Winery is situated on the beautiful Mont Fleur farm
set at the top of a dramatic valley above Stellenbosch, 380
metres up between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains.
The property is owned and run by the Trafford family with
a small team of dedicated workers.
MONT FLEUR VINEYARD
This blended wine best reflects our magnificent vineyard
site high up on the eastern slopes of the Helderberg mountain.
Soil deep red decomposed granite - Hutton type. The vines
are close planted ( 5000 to 7500 vines / hect.) The best barrels
were selected for this reserve wine:
Cabernet Sauvignon 60%
10 yr old vines on 7 wire vertical trellis. Clones CS337;
CS359; CS27: CS46A; CS1A; CS163 all on 101-14 rootstock.
Merlot 27%
10 yr old vines on 7 wire vertical trellis. Clone MO181 on
R99 rootstock
Shiraz 13%
9 yr old vines on 7 wire vertical trellis. Clones SH21A; SH1A;
SH99 all on 101-14 rootstock
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
The spring was cool and late with good, even budburst. We
had a few very hot days in early January, but generally the
ripening season was relatively cool and dry and nearly 2 weeks
later than usual. A light irrigation at veraison ensured the
grapes ripened without too much stress. An unusual phenomenon
in 2004 was the occurrence of some unripe berries within some
of the bunches, which we had to painstakingly remove prior
to crushing.
Harvest date : 1 / 3 / 04 - 22 / 3 / 04
PRODUCTION
Handpicking into 20 kg lugboxes. 100% destemming and gentle
crushing directly into open top fermenters. Spontaneous natural
yeast fermentation @ max. temp. 29°C - 31°C. Time
on skins 12 - 15 days, with cap of skins punched down (pigeage)
1 – 4 times a day. Wine drained directly to barrels
together with single pressing from traditional basket press.
All our red wines undergo malolactic fermentation in the barrel.
This helps to integrate the new oak and fix colour and flavour
compounds. Mostly new French oak used. Time in barrel 20 months,
which included several rackings to gradually clarify the wine
and assist maturation.
This wine was bottled by hand, unfined and unfiltered, on
the property. Bottling date : 15 / 12 / 05.
Production : 710 x 750ml x 6 (packed in wooden boxes)
TASTING NOTES
Impressive deep red / purple colour. Smoky blackcurrant
and spicy fruitcake aromas. Already well knit structure with
dense tannins and rich, complex fruit. Lovely texture. Probably
best between 2008 and 2015. Low sulphites – could qualify
for an organic wine. Ideal with rich, roasted or grilled red
meat dishes.
ANALYSIS
Alc. 14.56 SG. 3.3 TA 5.5 pH
3.49 VA 0.82 SO2 24 & 56 |
