Mvemve Raats De Compostella 2021 Bottle size: 750ml

‘The MR de Compostella from Bruwer Raats and Mzokhona Mvemve possesses one of the most successful critical track records out of almost any red wine produced in South Africa let alone just in the Cape Bordeaux Blend category. The newest 2021 release astonishingly takes this wine to yet another higher niveau of quality with a blend of 26% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 20% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Made from vines aged between 9 and 22 years old, all grown on deep decomposed dolomitic granite soils with table mountain sandstone, 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. If you wanted just one wine to convince an international fine wine connoisseur of the true greatness of South Africa’s finest terroirs and winemaking, you have found your candidate! Simply an incredible wine. Drink this beauty from 2024 and savour over the next 30+ years. But you might need more than just one or two cases in your cellar!!’ – Greg Sherwood MW, 99/100

‘Instantly impressive in the glass and still just a baby, the 2021 De Compostella is a blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 17% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Bursting with a red-fruited frame, the expression is still tight and has good bones. Layers of tasty red and black fruit essences sway with dusty florals before oak and brown baking spices appear with focus and precision. Full-bodied, the palate has gobs of complexity and no shortness of hedonistic pleasure. The longer the wine sits on the palate, the more it reveals its depth and complexity and gains momentum to go the distance. Concluding with a dense and chewy frame, this will need a few more years to come around but will govern for more than two decades. Only 5,500 bottles were produced, and I believe this is the best vintage yet! 2026-2046’ – Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 97/100

‘The latest MR de Compostella confirms the wine's standing as one of the best red blends in the Cape, especially in a vintage like 2021. Pairing Cabernet Sauvignon with 26% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 17% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, it's a beautifully structured, nuanced cuvée with violet and pencil shaving aromas, subtle wood, plenty of underlying power and structure and a youthful, refreshing finish. 2024-35’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2023, 96/100

‘There are few examples of the Cape Bordeaux Red Blend as elegant and sophisticated as MR De Compostella and the recently released 2021 again shows great refinement. A blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 17% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, the nose shows top notes of roses, violets and herbs before red and black berries, olive, oystershell, vanilla and pencil shavings. It’s medium bodied (alcohol is 14%) with succulent fruit, fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins making for a creamy texture.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100

‘The 2021 MR de Compostella is blended from five components of five Bordeaux varieties from parcels deemed the best for each one, a selection made in the winery to create the final blend, which is then assessed for whether it deserves to be released. It has a lovely floral bouquet with pressed iris flowers, black cherries, clove and light potpourri scents. The medium-bodied palate has fine tannins, fresh and tensile with layers of minerally black fruit and a very Bordeaux-like, precise finish that lingers in the mouth. As usual, this MR has a wonderful sophistication and will mature gracefully over the next 20 years.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 95/100

‘Deep, dark and intense ruby colour. Blackcurrant and black cherry fruit with hints of violets, cedar and cinnamon. Rich and complex with mineral, blackberry fruit and dark chocolate on the finish. Harmoniously composed of the five Bordeaux varieties to ensure none dominate. This wine shows a consistent, linear flavour profile with a polished and well-defined finish.’ – Winemaker