The Wines of Loire
Timed Online Auction, 1 - 8 May 2023
Session 1
About the SessionThe Loire Valley is a large region that follows the longest river of France. The Loire is an exceptional place to find lean, racy, white wines, including those of Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadet. Red varieties include Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Cot (Malbec), which produces herbaceous, rustic reds.
About this Item
Specialising in Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc, Raats Family Wines was established by Bruwer Raats at the turn of the millennium. He believes the secret to his Cabernet Francs success is that they are old vines grown on decomposed dolomite granite. 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. Early vintages are elegant, refined and still remarkably young today.
Provenance
Producer
Critics Ratings
'A striking wine, this brand has long been an advocate for Cab Franc in South Africa, and the skill and experience of winemaker Bruwer Raats absolutely shines here. Plush and attractive, yet well defined, it opens with herbal aromas of green peppercorn, tobacco leaf, bark and a touch of pressed iris that weave throughout the ripe blackberry, cherry and currant fruit. Medium-plus in weight, it boasts a crushed-velvet texture and slightly creamy impression, framed by structured tannins and superb acidity to balance. The long finish offers an exercise of evolution, from ripe fruit to fresh earthy tones and finally dried ash and spice. It's hard to resist now, in all its complex, layered glory, but this will mature well through 2028.' - Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast, 93/100 (Apr 2018)
'It has an attractive bouquet with black fruit, hickory, touches of bell pepper and crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, some lovely sage and oregano, and later a touch of mint infusing the black fruit with impressive precision on the finish. Excellent.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 93/100 (Aug 2018)
'Dark olive, bay leaf and tobacco notes hold the upper hand on the core of fresh cherry and damson plum fruit. Light brambly grip supports the finish. Should unwind with a touch of cellaring. Drink now through 2021.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 90/100 (Apr 2018)
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