South African & International Fine Wine
Live Auction, 14 September 2019
Session Two
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
Wedged between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains, situated on the beautiful Mont Fleur farm, is the boutique De Trafford winery. The Trafford family purchased the land in 1976 and a small vineyard was in place by 1983.
The flagship Elevation is a selection of the best barrels from their home vineyard, with this blend aiming to express the remarkable site to its fullest. Miniscule production of 3500 bottles only.
Provenance
Wine Cellar
Critics Ratings
‘Named for altitude of home-vineyard above sea level. Best cab, merlot, shiraz; 2 yrs all new Fr oak. Trademark 06 quiet & unassuming but brimming with concentrated flavour, elegance & class. Like 05, the unflashy storm worth 10 yrs in cellar.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2009, 4.5*
‘(a blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot and 13% shiraz; 15% alcohol): Rather reticent aromas of spices, dark chocolate and licorice. Dense and very ripe but juicy, with a lively acid backbone currently suppressing the brooding dark berry and licorice flavors. Finishes with very ripe, dusty tannins and palate-staining persistence. This powerfully concentrated wine needs several years of additional bottle aging.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com (March 2011), 93/100
‘This has mature mint, tobacco and bay leaf aromas, but gains steam on the palate, with rich, velvety-textured black currant paste, fig sauce and coffee notes nicely rolled together. There's plenty of grip, but it's nicely integrated on the long, smoldering, tar-tinged finish... 25 cases imported.’ – Wine Spectator (November 2011), 92/100
‘A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 13% Shiraz, the 2006 Elevation 393 is raised in French oak for 22 months. It has a very ripe, slightly muffled bouquet with secondary aromas of wild mushroom, game, mint and a touch of cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, tensile tannins and lovely peppery black fruit. It shows a little more conviction than the 2005 and should age well for another 8-10 years. Drink now-2020.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (August 2011), 90/100