Raats Family Cabernet Franc, Stellenbosch 2020

A highly desirable wine from an 'undesirable' area

Harmoniously integrated flavours of blackberry, black cherry and plum mingle with tobacco, cinnamon and spice. Tannins are soft and gentle on the palate, and hints of dark chocolate and minerality on the long finish.
Grapes were hand sorted three times, crushed and left to cold soak on the skins for five days. After fermentation the grapes are pressed and then aged for 16 to 18 months in oak.
After making wine around the world, Bruwer Raats established Raats Family Wines in 2000, based on a policy of 'excellence through specialisation', focusing on two unfashionable grapes varieties at the time, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc.
Once seen as 'undesirable', the Polkadraai Hills ward is now regarded as one of the finest in Stellenbosch.
An elegant yet powerful wine best paired with rich meat dishes. Pork Loin, Beef Fillet or Game.

Grape variety: Cabernet Franc
Vintage: 2020
Type/Colour: Red
Alcohol: 14%
Bottle Size: 75cl
Group: Coastal Region
Suitable for Vegans: Yes
Suitable for Vegetarians: Yes
Organic: Yes
Sustainable: Yes

Decanter Magazine (UK), June 2010 - 'Star performers from the Cape' - Rated 4 stars 18/20. Jancic Robinson Cape favourite, 2009

All vines from Stellenbosch are grown only on decomposed dolomite granite, which gives a great acidity and freshness to the wine and adds minerality to the finish. Individual vineyard blocks each hand-picked at perfect ripeness last week in Feb till the first week in March. Grapes were hand sorted three times, crushed and left to cold soak on the skins for five days. After fermentation the grapes are basket pressed and allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks and then aged for 18 months before bottling. Neither fined nor filtered. 18 months in French Vicard and Mercury oak barrels (25% new, 25% second, 25% third fill and 25% fourth fill).