Headed by Bruwer Raats with his cousin Gavin Slabbert as the winemaker, Raats Family Wines are among South Africa’s leaders of Chenin and Cabernet Franc. Focusing solely on these varieties, they’ve created an excellent set of wines, particularly through their rare Eden High Density range. These complex releases are produced from 15-year-old vines in Bruwer’s backyard. On his tiny Eden farm on the Polkadraai hills, 0.2 hectares are planted with high-density vines on pure, decomposed granite and are farmed organically. The quality comes right down to the design.
From the rare Montpellier clone, the Eden High Density Chenin Blanc 2022 is one of the best Chenins in the country. Poise and purity are balanced by rich texture, detailed structure and serious length. We agree with Platter’s that the 2022 has a ‘long future’ but is ‘gorgeous in youth’.
The new 2022 Vlag Cabernet Franc achieves, perhaps, even more! Already sold out from the farm, we have desperate quantities of this superb wine. It’s more reminiscent of Bordeaux than the Loire, with notes of violets, raspberry and rhubarb along with perfectly judged oak and incredible persistence.
The single barrel of Cabernet Franc is always the most sought-after and the rarest of the lot. We believe the Eden Cabernet Franc to be SA’s finest expression of this tricky but rewarding grape – ‘right up there with the New World’s best examples of the variety’, enthuses Tim Atkin MW. The 2022 is concentrated and focused, offering power and cement-like tannins. Lay it down in your cellar for a few years; you’ll be deeply rewarded.
Tasting Notes:
Raats Eden High Density Chenin Blanc 2022
‘Contemplative, uniquely from rare ‘Montpellier’ clone, evokes delight. From understatedly insistent aromas to extraordinarily long finish, a subtle, unfolding complexity. Texture silky, balance unquestionable, confident delicacy triumphant. Wholebunch natural ferment, 11 months in concrete ‘egg’ (65%) or oak, 10% new. Long future but gorgeous in youth.’ – Platter’s Guide, 4* (94/100)
Raats Vlag Vineyard Selection Cabernet Franc 2022
‘The aromatics are wonderfully bold and exuberant displaying seductive notes of blackberries, crème de cassis, violets, sweet cherry tobacco, black cherries and tart black plum. The lifted perfumed intensity is incredibly pure and piercing with salty liquorice, cedar spice and beautifully detailed maritime oyster shell nuances. In the mouth, the concentration and focused steely intensity is astounding – tart, bright and architecturally soaring, shaping this wine into a powerful, linear, multi-dimensional masterpiece. Packed full of salty cassis, tart plum and black currant, the tightly wound core of power, refined extraction and polished marble tannins leave you in no doubt that this harmonious, vibrant beauty is a spellbinding, timeless classic in the making. Drink this beauty from 2024 and savour over the next 30+ years.’ – Winemaker
Raats Eden High Density Cabernet Franc 2022
This vintage has not been rated yet; please see the 2021 tasting note:
‘Right up there with the New World’s best examples of the variety, this is a limited release Cabernet Franc from a densely planted, 0.2-hectare block in the Polkadraai Hills. Aged in a new 500-litre barrel, it shows remarkable freshness, precision, perfume and poise, with sculpted tannins, black cherry and pomegranate fruit and leafy undertones of basil and fresh parsley.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2023, 96/100
