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The Raats Family Wines team consist of Bruwer, in the role of winemaker and marketer, his brother Jasper, business partner and viticulturist at large, Jasper Raats Senior who was coaxed out of retirement to manage viticulture duties, and Janice, Bruwer’s wife, attorney-at-law, mother of six and, miraculously, the keeper of all things financial, administrative and logistics related.
This small team believe that South Africa’s proliferation of older Chenin Blanc vineyards provide a unique opportunity to position the country as a leading producer, locally and abroud, of this classic, versatile and decidedly stylish variety and together, they are producing some of the finest Chenin’s this country has ever seen!
Their commitment extends to sourcing low-yielding grapes from old Chenin Blanc ineyards, located in the Bottelary Hills, Simonsberg and Blaauwklippen areas of Stellenbosch and then targeting the world’s top gastronomic establishments as well as private individuals – “Because our wines should essentially be enjoyed in the company of good food by people appreciative and knowledgeable of the passion and dedication that go into the making thereof.” As a result, Raats Family Wines are enjoyed in the UK, USA, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Canada.
This particular wine displays pineapple, pear and white fruit flavours with spiciness and aniseed, hints of butterscotch. The palate is intensely concentrated and mouth filling with ripe peach and honey flavours. This massive wine has a good balance between acidity and sugar and the finish seems to last forever. The wine pairs particularly well with oysters with lime, duck with orange and most game fish.
Jean’s Thoughts: Well what more can I say... when a South African winemaker is invited by French winemakers to talk on Chenin Blanc, he is obviously producing a wine that speaks for itself! It has clean minerality, is crispy and has beautiful longevity in your mouth. Bruwer has always impressed me and I am looking forward to his new vintages!
Brendon’s thoughts: Sorry, I am unable to comment as I am currently skiing on the slopes of Kitzbühel!
At Caveau: R 220.00 per bottle
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