Raats Family Eden High-Density Single Vineyard new releases

The Eden vineyards are two blocks established by Bruwer Raats just behind his Polkadraai house in the late 2000s with the aim of exploring what improvements in quality might be had when aiming for excellence from the outset rather than working with long-established vineyards that weren’t necessarily planted according to the very best practices.

There is 0.6ha of Chenin Blanc planted to the low-yielding Montpellier clone, Raats having obtained cuttings from the mother block in the Nuy Valley and 0.2ha of Cabernet Franc – resulting volumes are inevitably small.

Eden High-Density Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2019
Price: R850
Peach, yellow apple, oatmeal, a little waxy character plus hints of ginger and baking spice. The palate is relatively rich and broad with nicely integrated, seemingly quite moderate acidity – full of flavour with a gently savoury finish. Total production: 2 390 bottles.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Eden High-Density Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2018
Price: R2 200
15% whole-bunch fermentation. Aromatics of red berries, herbs, rose, a hint of earthiness and a little vanilla. The palate is light-bodied with fresh acidity and fine tannins, the finish long and dry. Elegant and energetic. Total production: 365 bottles.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

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