Just announced in the latest Wine Spectator - the highest ever rating for a South African wine:
'94 De Trafford Shiraz Stellenbosch 2001 $50 - Terrific wine, with pure, modern plum, blackberry and boysenberry fruit up front being driven by fleshy roasted coffee bean, Valrhona chocolate, sweet earth and smoke notes that explode on the back end. Like a new wave Cote-Rotie, this is silky smooth, with a great combination of powerful fruit and elegant structure. Drink now through 2007. (JM)'
David, we look forward to tasting this exciting wine with you (and, like you, finding out what 'Valrhona chocolate' tastes like) when you present all your Shiraz's, from your maiden 1998 through the 2002 vintage at our cellar in Observatory on Wednesday, 21 April starting at 6.30pm.
This 94 rating is no 'flash in the pan', other ratings on de Trafford Shiraz from the Wine Spectator database:
'93 De Trafford Shiraz Stellenbosch 2000 - Captivating aromas of Christmas pudding, toffee, spice and chocolate, with dense, lush blackberry fruit and chocolate ganache flavor. Sweet smoke swirls through it all, before a wall of tannins triumphs on the finish. Cellar short-term for maximum effect. Best from 2004 through 2007. 200 cases made. (JM)'
'90 De Trafford Shiraz Stellenbosch 1998 - Packed with blackberry, blueberry, plum, smoke and toast, showing a nice marriage of modern-style fruit with a muscular, mineral-tinged structure. Feels like it's just starting to unwind. Drink now through 2001. 35 cases made. (JM)'
We have limited quantities of the 2000, 2001 and upcoming 2002 vintages available for sale to those attending this tasting and dinner.
We still have a few places for this function available - to book, please either return this e-mail or telephone Bronwyn at Cape Town +27 (0) 21 448-4105.
In addition to David Trafford presenting all 5 of his spectacular Shiraz's, his friend and colleague, Nick Gebers of Post House, will present his soon-to-be-released 2003 Chenin Blanc and his well-regarded Merlot from 1999, 2000 and 2001 vintages. There will be the 2002 Post House Chenin Blanc (which won the Trophy at the 2003 Fairbairn Capital Show) to sample on arrival.
Dinner will follow the tasting with a De Trafford 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon and a Post House 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon and a little of David’s really hard-to-come-by 2000 Vin de Paille with dessert. The all-inclusive price for the evening is R225.
Don't miss this; you will never get to taste that De Trafford Shiraz 1998, only 35 cases (1 barrel) were made and David has only a few bottles left).
Issued by: WineCellar
Email: winecellar@securipower.co.za