‘Cabernet Franc does not get better than at Raats.’
– Neal Martin, Vinous
The Raats Jasper Red 2021 showcases the effortless appeal of the best vintage since 2017. It is in great vintages like these that the second wines offer such immense value, and this ‘Baby MR de Compostella’ is superb. Still very youthful, the Cabernet Franc-led blend will benefit from a few more years in the cellar, but it will reward with ‘tannins that are so fine-grained as to appear quite soft’, notes Christian Eedes.
The 2021 Jasper is a blend of 53% Cabernet Franc, 36% Malbec, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Petit Verdot. Once again, the class of Cabernet Franc here shines. The wine has an attractive array of red berry fruit, laced with fine herbs and a mineral undertone. The palate is still coiled and precise, with the fine tannins promising slow evolution over the next decade and beyond.
Tasting Notes:
‘Consisting of 53% Cabernet Franc, 20% Malbec, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, it sells for R305 a bottle. Super-attractive aromatics with top notes of rose, violets and a hint of fresh herbs before red and black berries, earth and spice while the palate is medium bodied and well balanced with good fruit expression, lively acidity and tannins that are so fine-grained as to appear quite soft.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 92/100
