The 2001 Shiraz from De Trafford Wines in Stellenbosch has received a rating of 94 points in the latest edition of Wine Spectator magazine, the highest-ever score achieved by a South African wine in the well respected publication.
The magazine’s experts rate the wines on a score out of 100, with a 94 representing an extremely high mark. While a few South African wines have scored 93 points, the latest achievement by De Trafford owner and winemaker David Trafford is sure to help further boost the reputation of South Africa’s wines abroad, thus lending impetus to the local industry’s export drive, as Wine Spectator ratings have a significant influence on consumer choices in the US market.
The wine sells for $50 (about R330) per bottle in the US.
Wine Spectator describes the De Trafford Shiraz Stellenbosch 2001 as follows: “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.”
De Trafford’s Shiraz from the preceding vintage, the Stellenbosch 2000,
received 93 points from the magazine, while the same wine from the 1998 vintage
was awarded 90 points. – I-Net Bridge