Raats current releases

By , 12 August 2022

Many producers insist that they will declassify their pinnacle wines in lesser vintages but never do. Bruwer Raats and Gavin Slabbert of Raats Family, however, were true to their word in 2019 not releasing MR de Compostella, most of the parcels going into the Jasper Red Blend.

Is Jasper 2019 a “baby MR”? That’s a bit of stretch. However, the Raats Family Cabernet Franc from the same vintage is most accomplished. “The season started off looking very good but rains from late-February resulted in disease pressure for the late-ripening varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot,” explains Slabbert.

Tasting notes and ratings for the current releases as follows:

Raats Original Chenin Blanc 2021
Price: R150
Tank fermented and matured for six months on the lees. Pear, peach, citrus, a hint of guava, fynbos and some lanolin on the nose. The palate shows good fruit concentration and bright acidity before a pithy finish. Pure and balanced.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Raats Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2021
Price: R395

50% into barrel, 25% in concrete egg and 25% into stainless steel tank. A top note of hay before peach, yellow apple, some yeasty complexity, ginger and other spice. Relatively rich and broad with moderate acidity and a gently savoury finish.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2020
Price: R195
50% matured in concrete tank, 50% in older oak for 12 months. The nose shows red berries and attractive herbal notes – fennel, rosemary and thyme. The palate is light-bodied and well balanced with fresh acidity and fine tannins, the finish distinctly savoury.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2019
Price: R700
Matured for 18 months in oak, 15% new. Red and black berries, violets, a subtle herbal note, pencil shavings and earth on the nose while the palate has good depth of fruit, fresh acidity and firm but fine tannins. Elegant and harmonious

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Raats Jasper Red Blend 2019
Price: R275
50% Cabernet Franc, 43% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot. Red and black berries, violets and some herbal character while the palate is juicy and fresh with soft tannins. Light in body and already very approachable.

CE’s rating: 89/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.    

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