Wine Dine and Play: De Trafford Wines

De Trafford Wines



&
Sijnn Wines
Stellenbosch, South Africa
An excellent Merlot
There is nothing better than sitting in front of this computer typing up this blog, from the United States about a South African Winery. The reason it cannot get much better, is that I am enjoying a glass of their 2009 Merlot while I am typing this paragraph, and will enjoy a few more glasses as I finish this review. So here, we go…It was my fifth day in country touring South Africa, and my second day dedicated to wine tasting, first in Constantia and now Stellenbosch. In Constantia, I did a self-driving tour as I went from vineyard to vineyard, and by the end of the day did not feel like doing anymore driving, so when it came to Stellenbosch, I got smart and hired a wine guide. For two main reasons, the guide would drive, a guide could get me into more wineries, and I could learn more about the region by discussing it with an expert. I hired Stephen Flesch owner of Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa. I discovered Stephen after reading a book on South African tourism in the wine section and saw that he had been recommended in the book by Frommer’s. Therefore, for R 1,900.00 per person for a build your own style tour, Stephen picked me up in Cape Town and we were off, and the next Stellenbosch winery tasting was at De Trafford Winery, and their sister vineyard Sijnn. Wow there is some spice on this wine…Love it.
 http://www.gourmetwinetours.co.za/

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Wine Dine and Play’s ratings for wine:
96 – 100
Extraordinary  
90 – 95
Outstanding 
80 – 89
above average    
70 – 79
below average                         
60 – 69
poor/appalling/ “Cac”
Review basics:
Wine, Dine, & Play’s Rating
95/100, on the Merlot 2009 and Elevation 393 (2004)
Robert Parker The Wine Advocate

Wine Spectator
Syrah 2009 91/100, Syrah 393 2010 94 points,
 Sijnn Syrah 2011 5 of 5 stars.
Wines Produced - De Trafford
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, & Red Blends,
White: Chenin Blanc
Dessert: Straw Wine

Wines Produced - Sijnn
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Touriga Nacional, & Red Blends,
White: Chenin Blanc, Viognier

Grape Blends - both vineyards
Red: Mourvedre, Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Syrah
Cab-merlot blend
White: Chenin Blanc, Viognier
Current Vintage for 2014
Reds: 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011
Whites: 2009, 2012
Region Map

Stellenbosch
 
Regulatory
ABV %
Elevation: 14.56%, Syrah: 15.72%, Merlot: 15.26%
Barrel Types
New French oak
Barrel Aging
18 to 22 months depending on the wine
 
South African wine Quality Standards:
Unlike some European countries, South Africa does not have any requirements for the process of making wines in a particular region—for instance, allowing only certain trellising methods or varietals. However, there are certain quality requirements.  For a wine to be labeled as a particular varietal or as coming from a particular region, estate, or vineyard, it must also not display any “unacceptable quality characteristics,” which means the wine may not be turbid, contain excess sediment or crystals, have faulty/insufficient color, or display undesirable flavor characteristics. Among the several characteristics listed as unacceptable, a wine may not be overly tannic, thin or watery, or oxidized. For a wine to be labeled as coming from a particular area, 100% of the grapes used to make the wine must have been grown there, and producers may only label their wines using officially-recognized geographic areas.  In addition to designating a particular geographic unit, region, district, or ward, a producer may also designate the wine as coming from a particular estate or may label it as a “single vineyard wine.”  However, to do so the producer must first register the area where the grapes were grown with the Wine and Spirit Board.  Single-vineyard wines must have been made from a single varietal that is produced in the area registered with the board, and the area registered may be no larger than 6 hectares.  Estate wines must be made entirely—including bottling—in the registered area where the grapes were grown.  Also, if a particular varietal—or “cultivar” as the law defines it—is listed on the bottle, at least 85% of the grapes used in making the wine must have been of that type. This same 85% rule applies to designating a particular vintage year.

Cases Produced:                                          
Per Year:
                                                                                               
De Trafford Merlot 2009
 689
De Trafford Blueprint Syrah 2011
 539
Elevation 393 (2004)
 710 / 6 p/cs
Sijnn White 2012
563
Sijnn 2009
1160
Sijnn Syrah 2011
143
                       
Price chart:
$ -                    Under $50.00 USD
$$ -                  Over   $50.00 USD
$$$ -                Over $100.00 USD
$$$$ -              Over $200.00 USD
$$$$$-             Over $400.00 USD
Bottle prices:

Wine Selction:
Currency:
Country:
Price Chart :
De Trafford Merlot 2009 (750 ml)



R200.00
ZAR

$18.28
USD
$
£10.98
GBP
£
€13.31
EUR
¥111.84
CNY 
¥¥¥
De Trafford Blueprint Syrah 2011 (750 ml) 



R185.00
ZAR

$16.91
USD
$
£10.16
GBP
£
€12.31
EUR
¥103.45
CNY 
¥¥¥
Elevation 393 - 2004 (750 ml)



R500.00
ZAR

$45.69
USD
$
£27.46
GBP
£
€33.27
EUR
¥279.59
CNY 
¥¥¥¥
Sijnn White 2012 (750 ml)



R150.00
ZAR

$13.71
USD
$
£8.24
GBP
£
€9.98
EUR
¥83.88
CNY 
¥¥
2 Sijnn 2009 (750 ml)



R190.00
ZAR

$17.39
USD
$
£10.44
GBP
£
€12.64
EUR
¥106.24
CNY 
¥¥¥
Sijnn Syrah 2011 (750 ml)



R170.00
ZAR

$15.54
USD
$
£9.34
GBP
£
€11.31
EUR
¥95.06
CNY 
¥¥

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Cost of wine tasting in USD (p/p):
Signature tasting:
$5.00

                                                                       
Scroll down below to the main review to read the tasting notes

From vineyards home page:
De Trafford Winery is situated on the beautiful Mont Fleur farm set at the top of a dramatic valley above Stellenbosch, 380m up between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains. The history of wine growing on this mountain farm started with the purchase of the property in 1976 by the Trafford family as inaccessible grazing land. Many of the high altitude slopes were deemed suitable for high quality red grape varieties. Unfortunately, due to the absurd quota restrictions, planting a commercial vineyard had to wait 18 years. In 1983, a small vineyard was established to produce experimental wines – consumed by family and friends! These were our learning curve years (1984 – 1991), which included lots of help and advice from local winemakers and working experience in France, particularly in the Bordeaux area.

SIJNN is the original Khoisan name for the Breede River. This exciting new vineyard was established in 2004 on a stony plateau between the hamlet of Malagas and the fishing village of Cape Infanta, 230km east of Cape Town. The vineyards are 70m above the river, 25km from the mouth, but 15km from the sea as the crow flies. The complex stony soils, comprising pudding stones over fractured shale, together with a warm dry climate (350mm) moderated by the constant sea breezes, encourages the vines to produce tiny yields of concentrated fruit with a fresh, complex mineral character. The focus has been on top quality Mediterranean varieties: Syrah, Mourvedre, Touriga Nacional and Trincadeira as well as Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne for the White blend. Future plantings include Tempranillo, Nebbiolo and Grenache.

Main review:
Stephen Flesch of Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa had picked me up in Cape Town, and we had just finished a tasting at Ken Forrester, and Meerlust vineyards, before stopping here at De Trafford. It was a nice country drive after leaving Ken Forrester before arriving on the property. The property is very small and their tasting hours are limited (see tasting hours below). When we arrived, they were very busy, which is to be expected since Wine Spectator wrote them up in a major article on South African Wines, the first such article they did on South Africa. 
Picture Courtesy of De Trafford vineyards
The tasting consisted of six wines, three from the vineyard we were on and three from a sister vineyard 500 miles away called Sijnn. From De Trafford I tried the 2009 Merlot, which as I type this I’m on my third glass now, yummy, the Blueprint Syrah 2011, and the 2004 Elevation 393, which I also purchased a bottle of, and is sitting in my basement now at a nice cool temperature, waiting for a special day to open it. I also had a small tasting of their Straw Wine, which is a process of drying grapes in the open sun on beds of straw, which is only done in South Africa by a handful of vineyards, De Trafford being one of them.
Straw Wine production courtesy of De Trafford vineyards
The other wines I tasted were from the Sijnn Vineyard consisting of a 2012 white blend of Chenin Blanc and Viognier, a 2009 red blend, and a 2011 Syrah, the red blend being my favorite of the tasting. Of the tastings I had done thus far, De Trafford set at the top of my favorites, and I am glad that Cape Ardor out of San Francisco offers their wines here in the United States as well as Boutique Wine Collection out of Philadelphia. I will be ordering some more Merlot and elevation 393 soon, as well as some of the red blended Sijnn. For exporters outside the United States click this link of export agents for De Trafford.
Grape storage, picture courtesy of De Trafford wines
Now because I was part of a tour, the tastings were included in the overall price for each winery that day. As an American visiting South Africa, the tastings in both Constantia and Stellenbosch were an experience within themselves, much different to the tastings in Napa and Sonoma, California. Most tastings in California, Washington State, New York, and Oregon starts at $25.00-$40.00, so when I found out the cost for the tastings in South Africa I was shocked. The average is $3.00-$6.00, De Trafford and Sijnn being $5.00 (ZAR50.00)

This or these wines remind me of:
The Merlot, and Elevation 393 Merlot which I am now on my forth glass of from the bottle as I write this is one of the top five merlots I have had, and compare it to my number one favorite, from Emmolo Wine company, Napa Valley, California. In addition, the Sijnn red 2009 reminded me of Kamen Vineyards in Sonoma, California and their famous Rhone blend, just superb.

Bouquet & Palette:

Wine & Grape:
Nose:
Palette Experience:
Attractive dark, bright red color. Pure dark red berry and cherry fruit with intriguing smokes nuts & spices and a little herbaceous character.
These flavors follow through on the palate with lovely fine, dry tannins and a soft, long finish. Probably best between 2014 and 2024. Good with Lamb or red pasta, or even writing a review like I am doing now.
Deep, dark red color. Intense dark berry and a little cherry fruit, black & white pepper.
Full, rich palate packed with intense ripe fruit and a spicy, peppery overlay. Expected best between 2014 and 2020.
Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 27%, Shiraz 13%. Wine was bottled by hand, unfined and unfiltered, on the property. Impressive deep red / purple color. Smoky blackcurrant and spicy fruitcake aromas.
Already well, knit structure with dense tannins and rich, complex fruit. Probably best between 2008 and 2015. Low sulphites – could qualify for an organic wine.
An attractive pale yellow color. A lovely mineral, apricot / peach nose with honey & nuts complementing.
A rich and full palate with fresh fruit & all the other complex flavors carrying it to a long finish. Excellent with a wide range of food from rich fish, seafood, creamy poultry or as an aperitif. Should age well over 3 to 4 years.
Shiraz 46%; Mourvedre 29%; Touriga Nacional 13%; Trincadeira 6%; Cabernet Sauvignon 6%. Slate, wild berries, herbs, liquorice and subtle barrel maturation character adding to the beguiling nose
Substantial palate with a rich texture and layered, complex flavors and an attractive dry finish. Already a wine worth savoring, we are convinced it will develop beautifully over the next three years or more.
Subtle slate and red fruit on the nose. Quite restrained, but very attractive. Firm, but soft and quite a fine texture.
Quite restrained on the palate but with a long fine finish promising great development over at least 4 or 5 years. Has enough zest to go with a rich pasta dish, mushroom risotto and subtle red meat dishes.

Château or Vineyard Owner:
David Trafford and Family
Picture courtesy of De Trafford Vineyard














Viticulturist:
HENDRY HESS

Tasting room address:          
Blaauwklip Road
Stellenbosch 7599
South Africa
 http://goo.gl/maps/fjV2X
      
 Cross streets:
Blaauwklip Road & Stellenrust Road

Contact Information:

Tasting room:
+27 21 880 1611
Fax:
+27 86 542 3959
Website:

Email:
De Trafford Facebook          
https://www.facebook.com/pages/De-Trafford-Wines/157787194253981
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sijnn-Wines/115398635213751
https://twitter.com/SijnnWines
http://detrafford.co.za/category/blog/
http://detrafford.co.za/category/sijnn-blog


Hours of tastings:
Friday and Saturday mornings between 10:00 and 13:00
S. African Standard Time (GMT +2:00)




 https://www.facebook.com/WineDineAndPlay



Review by:
Chef Sean Overpeck (CFE) opening a De Trafford Merlot 2009

















Chef Sean cooks for soldiers in Afghanistan, 2012:




“I like cooking with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food.”
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