Raats Family Wines, Red Jasper, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2020
Raats Family Wines, Red Jasper, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2020
Discounts apply on case sizes (e.g. 6 or 12)
Producer Profile
Bruwer Raats is a gentle giant of a man and his reputation is starting to match his stature. His mastery of Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc is bringing him praise from around the world as "the most exciting and forward thinking winemaker" in Stellenbosch. He talks of quality by design rather than by default - the current obsession with old vines in South Africa may be admirable but Bruwer believes that better results can be obtained from the right variety planted in the right place. Planting and cultivating the right vines using this considered approach, often using high density planting, is beginning to yield the results that suggest he is on the right track. As an endorsement of his ascendency, Raats was named as Platter's South African Winery of the Year 2019 with no less than eight 5 star wines!
Viticulture
From trellissed and bush vines averaging 21 - 28 years old grown on 100% decomposed dolomite granite soils.
Winemaking
Grapes were hand sorted three times, crushed and left to cold soak on the skins for five days. After fermentation the grapes were basket pressed and allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine was then aged for 16 months prior to bottling. Fermentation Temperature: 28°C. 16 months in French tight grain oak barrels (20% second, 30% third fill and 50% fourth fill).
Oak Ageing
16 months
Tasting Note
Exceptionally intense and complex on the nose with blackberry, black cherry and bramble in abundance and subtle hints of forest floor, dark chocolate, aniseed and spicy tobacco. The walk in the Black Forest continues with blue and blackberry dancing on a tight rope with focus and concentration, following through onto a perfectly balanced, fine-grained, velvety palate. The finish lingers with hints of fresh mint, cinnamon and perfume. Complex and structured.
Food Matching
Venison, aged sirloin and hard cheeses.
Cabernet Franc (44%), Malbec (25%), Cabernet Sauvignon (23%), Petit Verdot 6%, Merlot 2%
14.5%
Closure
Technical cork
Colour
Red
Still wine