Legendary South African winemaker Bruwer Raats is a master with the Chenin Blanc grape, and his 2021 Original Chenin is in peak form. Rated 92 points by Vinous Media and 89 points by Wine & Spirits, this is one the best Chenin values in the Southern Hemisphere.
Raats's Original Chenin Blanc is crafted without the use of any oak in order to preserve the wine’s “original,” vibrant fresh fruit character. Bursting with fresh fruit flavors, but fermented completely dry, this zesty, racy, and invigorating white will get the juices flowing and keep you coming back for sip after sip.
2021 Raats Original Chenin Blanc
92 points Vinous Media, 89 points Wine & Spirits
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Chenin Blanc does incredibly well in the vineyards of Stellenbosch, South Africa's most important wine zone. Believed to have been first planted in the country in the mid-1600's, the country today produces Chenins that rival those of France's Loire Valley. Raats’ wines are consistently praised in both press and reviews, receiving some of South Africa’s highest-ever scores.
All of the grapes for Raats Original Chenin Blanc come from old sites planted throughout Stellenbosch. All of the vineyards are characterized by complex soils of either Table Mountain sandstone or decomposed dolomite granite. Granite soils impart Chenin Blanc with crisp acidity and bright flavors of lime and minerals, while Chenin grown on sandstone soils takes on a softer, rounder texture and a lush tropical fruit and honey flavor profile.
From a vintage that was deemed nearly perfect, all of the fruit is hand-harvested, and the wine is fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel and aged on its lees for 4 months. The finished wine is vibrant, displaying classic notes of yellow apple and pineapple core, alongside notes of green melon and limes. The wine reveals zesty citrus flavors and a long mineral finish.
Just in case you need a second opinion, the fine folks at Vinous Media loved this one too. "The 2021 Chenin Blanc Original has a well-defined bouquet that gets both hands on the grape variety: yellow fruit, popcorn and pressed flowers. Good intensity. The palate is beautifully balanced, complexity with Clementine, white peach, hints of kumquat and stem ginger. It fans out wonderfully on the finish - just a Chenin from the top drawer."
A perfect "warm and sunny day white," this one also loves all sorts of cuisine. From spicy Thai and Indian to fish and seafood, this is a versatile white for all of your pairing needs. No food required though, this is also just a great aperitif.
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Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville