Old Vine Chenin Blanc

South African west coast mussels / white fish with a beurre blanc sauce / spicy butternut squash soup / mild Indian curries

Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc. That’s it. Since 2000 founder Bruwer Raats has kept his focus on these two varieties believing that specialising would lead to success. This belief was not unfounded as today Raats Family Wines is regarded as a leader of South Africa’s Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc receiving consistent local and international accolades. With Gavin Bruwer joining Raats’ side in 2010 the family affair has one shared mission: to consistently produce Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc of outstanding quality from South Africa and to establish these wines as international benchmarks. As the Raats philosophy continues to flourish new curated additions have been introduced along the way. This includes the well-received vineyard-driven B Vintners Vine Exploration Co. range and the single wine speciality bottling of MR De Compostella – an incredibly successful collaboration between Raats himself and fellow winemaker and long-time friend Mzokona Mvemve. Based in the winemaking capital of Stellenbosch Bruwer Mzokona and Gavin’s winemaking criteria is rigorous and includes the quality of grape soil climate topography and of course the impact of the human hand which together embodies the truest meaning of terroir.

Soil specific grapes vineyards being both vertical hedge as well as bush vines. Grapes are sourced from three vineyards in Stellenbosch. Average age of the vineyard is 40 years and older. Soil from natural combination of Decomposed Dolomite Granite and Table Mountain Sandstone.

50% of the wine was fermented and matured in 300 and 500 litre French oak barrels to accentuate the soft, luscious flavours; 50% fermented in stainless steel to contribute a crisp acidity and bright citrus flavours. After 11 months, the two components are blended together and left on the lees for a further 2 months before bottling. Fermentation temperature: 18° - 22° C.