Provenance

Wine Cellar

Critics Ratings

‘Still a bit chunky now, but there's a great core of braised fig, bittersweet cocoa, anise, blackberry and warm tar, all layered with graphite and black tea. The long, muscular finish has serious grip thanks to a mouthwatering iron hint, while the tobacco and black fruit notes show lots of persistence... 354 cases made.’ – Wine Spectator (March 2010), 95/100

‘Again managing to give an elegant slant to full ripeness, 07 demonstrates great terroir expression & DT’s mastery of the grape. Plush fruit & layers of complexity it’s still admirably taut focused. Already delicious, can age 10+ yrs like 06 & pvs.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2010, 5*

‘Raised in 50% French oak for 20 months with just two rackings, the impressive 2007 Shiraz has a generous peppery nose with touches of broom, white fennel and rosemary. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannins, very good depth with fine structure on the structured, Gigondas-like finish. I would bunker a few bottles down in the cellar. Drink 2013-2020.

Set on the Mont Fleur Farm in Stellenbosch, De Trafford is one of the region’s most familiar names. Founded in 1976 by the De Trafford family for the purpose of livestock grazing, they soon realized that the high-altitude slopes would be ideal for wine and so the first vines were planted in 1983, with the first wine released eight years later. David Trafford is the present winemaker and he keeps the 3,500 case production a family affair…’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (August 2011), 92/100

‘Deep medium ruby. Lively, pure aromas of blackberry, bitter chocolate and violet pastille. Then densely packed and a bit youthfully unforthcoming, with its serious underlying richness currently masked by taut structure. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and strong spice tones. Built for a slow evolution in bottle.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com (March 2011), 91+/100