Sweets & Fortifieds and Additional Finds
Timed Online Auction, 28 May - 10 June 2024
Sweets
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 first of its kind in South Africa. Inspired by the great Vin de Paille of the Rhone valley and the Jura, first produced in 1997. Exclusively Chenin Blanc, picked at normal (optimum) ripeness and laid out to dry on drying racks under the shade of the oak trees below the winery. Typically drying takes about 3 weeks and the sugars concentrate as well as the flavour and acidity (providing balance). Extracting the treacle like liquid from the shrivelled berries is back breaking work in traditional basket press. This is followed by usually a year long fermentation due to the concentrated nature of the liquid. Usually bottled after nearly 2 years in barrels and the result is intensely sweet yet not cloying.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘Fine, sleek and balanced, with less sugar than previous vintages. A year in oak does its edge-polishing bit for this sumptuous, aromatic, multi-layered - honeyed apricot, pineapple, marzipan - finish.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2001, 4.5*
‘Complex nose melds apricot, apple, orange zest, honey, clove and a hint of smoky oak. Silky, thick and very sweet (175 grams/liter residual sugar to go with the 13.6% alcohol); roasted super-ripeness verging on gamey. As viscous and concentrated as this is, though, harmonious acids and chewy extract prevent it from cloying. Very long finish avoids phenolic dryness. Late flavor of sultana raisin. Very impressive.’ - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 91/100 (Jan 2001)
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