When: Friday 5 November 2021
Where: De Trafford Winery
I tasted the wines from youngest to oldest, and two at a time - always easier to have something to compare, especially with this amount of wines (>20). And Straw Wine (especially De Trafford Straw Wine) is so delicious there's less spitting and more drinking ;-).
Thank you also to Rita and co, we had a very yummy spread to "help mop up the sweetness" as David put it.
De Trafford Straw Wine
2019: 13.5% alc 182g/l RS
lots of fruit, honey, dried fruit, citrus peel, some nuttiness, and some acetic on the finish.
2018: 12% alc 200g/l RS
seems more shy, more oaky
2017: 10.5% alc 235g/l RS
lots of fruit and honey, a bit lighter and sweeter
2016: 9% alc (lowest) 292g/l RS (highest)
darker in colour, lot of dried fruit, spice and nuttiness, and a slight zing
2015: 11% alc 265g/l RS
darker in colour, sherry-like nose, dried fruit, nuttiness, pear, oxidized apple, oak, very complex
2012: 11% alc 230g/l RS
fresh and dried fruit, some spice
3V (2011 + 2013 + 2014) 12% alc 218g/l RS
very nutty and spicy, quite sherry-like with an acidic finish
2010: 11% alc 250g/l RS
dried fruit, honey, dried figs and acidity on the finish
2009: 10.5% alc 265g/l RS
more subtle nose, more delicate aromas and flavours, delicious
2008: 13.5% acl 162g/l RS
nutty, sherry-like, acidity stands out with a touch of bitterness on the finish
(no 2007)
2006: 12% alc 239g/l RS
dark nutty spicy marmalade, quite syrupy
2005: 13% alc 200g/l RS
lovely marmalade honey and oak with some acetic on the finish. One of my favourites
2004: 16.5% alc 111g/l RS
savoury notes, crisper with noticeably higher alcohol, and touch of bitterness on the finish
2003: 14% alc 202g/l RS
honey, marmalade, nutty fruitiness with a tiny touch of acetic on the finish. Delicious
2002: 10.5% alc 269g/l RS
very dark colour, toffee molasses notes, with high sweetness but also crisp acidity
2001: 12% alc 252 g/l RS
I made no notes on this one. Maybe it was too delicious? I know it was an excellent vintage in general
2000: 12.5% alc 235g/l RS
Oaky with some acetic notes
1999: 13.5% alc 175g/l RS
very dark, lost of molasses, straw and prune with a touch of bitterness on the finish
1998: 12% alc 222g/l RS
strong honey, naartjie marmalade and floral notes
1997: 14% alc 114g/l RS (first vintage)
fynbos honey, nutty sherry notes with some pencil shavings, citrus rind and crisp acidic finish
There were also a few other wines available to taste:
Delheim Edelspatz 1979
lots of stewed fruit especially prunes, with an acidic finish
2004 Chenin Blanc (Botrytis) De Trafford
Wilson's toffee, almost cola-like syrupy-ness. RS must be extremely high (I think you said 400g/l, David?)
2003 Chateau Rieussec Sauternes
floral perfume orange blossom marmalade with a crisp acidic finish
2003 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Vin de Paille
honey spice perfume with a crisp acidic finish
2010 Touriga
smokey savoury spicy molasses with herbaceous and leather notes
