We've produced a Cabernet Sauvignon from the inception of De Trafford in 1992. We get the grapes from four different blocks - 2 from our own vineyard at Mont Fleur, 400m above sea level, and 2 from our neighbours, a little lower down the same Helderberg slope.

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Vine age varies between 7 & 24 years old. They are all on well exposed North facing mountain slopes with deep gravelly, clay, granite based soils. These soils allow good moisture retention during the hot, dry summer months without too much vigour in the Spring. The high iron content gives the wine great mid palate weight while the small berry and thick skins provides intensity and length.

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In general we use around 1/3 new oak to ensure the 'older' barrels are still youthful and provide the right amount of air exchange to soften the tannins, especially in the first few months post fermentation.

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We rack the barrels every few months to enhance the maturation process and gradually get the wine clear and stable. We also prefer to keep our wines a little longer in barrel, usually about 23 months, to avoid any fining and like all our wines we bottle our Cabernet unfiltered. Most vintages are best at around 8 - 20 years.

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These tasting notes are written on release of the wines, for updates on how your collection should be drinking now, view our VERTICAL TASTING NOTES