Raats Vlag Vineyard Selection Cabernet Franc 2022 Bottle size: 750ml
South Africa, Polkadraai Hills
R1,600
‘A fabulously rich, perfumed aromatics with plenty of fine detail, revealing an intriguing depth and power but also a crystalline clarity and purity of fruit. There is initially a subtle earthy, savoury black fruited note on opening which soon gives way to more elaborate aromas of pressed violets, cherry blossom, rose petals, thyme and hints of sandalwood and sweet cedar spice. This is an architectural masterpiece with finer lines and a more harmonious symmetry than even Enzo Ferrari could ever have conjured up. Beautifully weightless and texturally caressing in the mouth, the tannins are grippy, incredibly fine grained, but equally silky soft, balancing the complex layers of saline cassis, red currant, and red cherry fruit concentration to perfection. A wine with not only incredible precision but also a vibrant energy that is brought to life by seamlessly integrated zippy acids. Quite simply, this wine is an absolute pleasure to sip and savour. Not quite an iron fist in a velvet glove, but certainly an impressively powerful tannin profile combined with a majestic fruit purity. A Cabernet Franc for Cote Rotie drinkers? Maybe. Drink on release and over the next 10 to 15+ years.’ – Greg Sherwood MW, 96/100
‘This is an ambitious new release from Bruwer Raats, which showcases the quality, density and focus of the 113 clone. Aged in concrete, foudres and older barrels, it’s a bold, structured, concentrated red with blackberry, cranberry and liquorice flavours and undertones of rocket and dill supported by muscular tannins. Needs time. 2025-35’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2024, 94/100
‘Grapes from two Vlaeberg vineyards and hence the name. One-third matured in concrete egg, one-third in foudre and one-third in oak barrels, 8% of which were new. Pretty aromatics of red currant, plum and black cherry plus floral perfume and fresh herbs. The palate is luscious but not sweet or thick textured – round and juicy with fine-grained tannins, the finish nicely dry. Alc: 13%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100
‘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. Drink this beauty from 2024 and savour over the next 30+ years.’ – Winemaker
‘This is an ambitious new release from Bruwer Raats, which showcases the quality, density and focus of the 113 clone. Aged in concrete, foudres and older barrels, it’s a bold, structured, concentrated red with blackberry, cranberry and liquorice flavours and undertones of rocket and dill supported by muscular tannins. Needs time. 2025-35’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2024, 94/100
‘Grapes from two Vlaeberg vineyards and hence the name. One-third matured in concrete egg, one-third in foudre and one-third in oak barrels, 8% of which were new. Pretty aromatics of red currant, plum and black cherry plus floral perfume and fresh herbs. The palate is luscious but not sweet or thick textured – round and juicy with fine-grained tannins, the finish nicely dry. Alc: 13%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100
‘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. Drink this beauty from 2024 and savour over the next 30+ years.’ – Winemaker
Condition | New |
---|---|
Winemaker | Bruwer Raats |
Alcohol | 13.19% |
Blend information | 100% Cabernet Franc |
Variety | Cabernet Franc |
Rating | GS 96 |
Technical analysis | RS: 2.1 g/L | TA: 5.5 g/L | PH: 3.52 |
Producer information | Bruwer Raats founded Raats Family Wines in 2000, and since then has narrowed his focus on Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, with only one blend, The Jasper Red blend. He believed that specialising would lead to success, and this belief was not unfounded, as today, Raats Family Wines is regarded as a leader of South African Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Raats has received consistent local and international accolades and was named Winery of the Year for the 2018 Platter's Guide with 5 out of 6 wines achieving five-star ratings. As Neal Martin says, 'Cabernet Franc does not get better than at Raats'. |
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FREE SHIPPING:
Available on all orders over R1,500, excluding event tickets. The expected delivery times are the same as 'Standard door-to-door' below.
STANDARD DOOR-TO-DOOR:
Shipping fees are calculated on the delivery ‘street code’ provided during checkout.
- Cape Town & surrounds: 1 – 2 working days
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COLLECTION (Cape Town only):
Orders are available for free collection at our Cape Town office only. You will be notified as soon as your order is ready for collection.
CELLARING:
Wine Cellar offers professional wine storage at our premises in Cape Town. If you are not an existing cellaring client, please view our rates and set up an account by visiting our cellaring page.
JOHANNESBURG ONR:
For this special overnight road service, orders must be placed before 13h00 SAST. The order will be delivered by the close of business the following working day.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:
We use a third party courier for international shipping. Please contact info@winecellar.co.za for the rates and delivery options.