Raats Family Wines

Bruwer Raat crafts soil-specific wines that embody the unique characteristics of the Stellenbosch wine region. Mvemve Raats (MR) de Compostella is a collaborative venture with his friend Mzokhona Mvemve. Just one wine is made each year: a Bordeaux blend. The composition changes, because they both taste through the barrels and only those that score 90-plus when sampled blind make it to the final blend.

Cabernet Franc may lead the pack in this Bordeaux blend but its, sometimes rather lean, personality is brilliantly balanced by the weight of its companions. It brings tremendous grace to this otherwise powerful blend; adding red fruit and freshness to the dark kernel of brooding fruit. An outstanding example of what can be achieved when Old World reserve meets New World flair; ripe fruit allied to a bright disposition and silky, refined structure.

This Stellenbosch specialty is a Bordeaux blend of sorts, with more than a twist of South African charm. The leafy, blackcurrant nose gives us a fine, early view of this fresh, vibrant wine. There are typical South African red peppers and ripe fruit on the mid-weight palate, and more than enough tannin and acidity for a decade in the cellar. The wine is made from 41% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 14% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot. Each of the varieties are vinified and aged separately over 12 months in barrel before a careful selection process for creating the blend, followed by another 12 months in barrel. This is a newer style of classic varieties from Stellenbosch.
Richard Veal, Private Wine Events

My notes for the 2011 vintage of this wine read ‘turbocharged’ and it was easy to see why Wine Advocate had scored it 95/100. The 2012 vintage has not yet been rated by that publication, however, in my opinion it is a superior wine, being less turbocharged and far more elegant. A blend of 28% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 18% Petit Verdot and 10% Merlot, this has an intense nose of blackcurrants and Victoria plums along with a herbaceous, mineral edge. It is exceptionally fresh, which makes it a delight to taste, with layer upon layer of lovely concentrated blackcurrant fruit on the palate and swathes of supple, yet grainy, tannins. This is an exceptional wine. Availability is however extremely limited.
Catriona Felstead MW, Wine Buyer