Norman

9.1

Didn’t get much of this. Crisp — 2 months ago

Seth Masterson

8.9

Starts out with a great nose. Lots of ripe yellow pear, quince and guava with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
The texture is a little on the crunchy side as opposed to the smooth velveeta texture that you can get from a nice Vouvray — 2 years ago

Bonnie Chu

8.9

Wines of South Africa tasting 🇿🇦 : soft pineapple, lime, quite tropical but not over ripe — 5 years ago

Laura Logan Mullins

9.0

This is the wine we choose every single time at Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It's abt a $50 bottle after Dianey's markup. It's not something I'd buy to drink at home. — 7 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

Made by Bruwer Raats. One of the best secrets in South African wine. Incredible! — 9 years ago

Lea

8.9

Dark spicy fruits. Delicious. — 10 years ago

Mthoko

10

The best wine I've had in 2016. The 2008 vintage, I'm speechless. I don't want it to end — 10 years ago

Chris Regina

9.1

Smoky, traditional South African loam, plum, black cherry, and cassis. Very smooth — 11 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

vintage 2023 | Stinks, sweaty, minerals, hay in smell, slender taste, difficult to describe, long aftertaste — 3 months ago

Colette Davison

9.2

Divino $18 — 3 years ago

Jason Keefer

8.9

Really great cab franc representation with the classic green pepper and vegetal notes with some good spiciness on the back palette. A tad astringent but age will mellow that out. — 5 years ago

with Natasha

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This is their Bordeaux style red. The nose shows; dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, blueberries, strawberries & cherries. Dark chocolate, vanilla, dark spice, clove, some nutmeg, dark fruit cola, black licorice, a whiff of cherry cough syrup with dark, red and blue fresh & withering florals.

The body is near full with dark, meat, tarry and sticky tannins. The structure, tension, length and balance allow it to drink early but needs to be held 6-8 years plus. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, blueberries, strawberries & cherries. Dark chocolate, vanilla, dark spice, clove, some nutmeg, dark fruit cola, black licorice, a whiff of cherry cough syrup, deep, dark, heat penetrating dark spice, tobacco with ash, big leather with dark, red and blue fresh & withering florals. The acidy is good. The finish is nice, balanced but needs time to reveal its best self. 91 now with the potential for a little higher score in six to eight years.

We also had their 2017 Divas Chenin Blanc. It was very enjoyable but, didn’t have time to take notes as we had to get to Raats.

DeMorgenzon translates into morning sun.

Photos of; the grounds around DeMorgenzon, barrel room and stainless tanks in their cellar. — 7 years ago

Francesca wareing

9.0

Strong flavour — 9 years ago

Vino Kaela

9.3

A meeting of the minds if you will. The Raats family and the talented Mzokona Mvembe (South Africa's first black winemaker) is something to be understood and appreciated. Each blend is strictly Bordeaux in nature but never controlled by one varietal. They determine the vintages release by which grapes (Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot and Malbec) on the quality given to them that year. I look forward to seeking out this wine. Good complex aromas of black and red fruits with concentrated earth and savory herb notes complements a soft yet supple palate and a nice finish which leaves one ready for the next sip. #Capesomm #WOSA — 10 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Raats — Original Chenin Blanc 2023
Stellenbosch, South Africa 🇿🇦

Overview
An approachable, unoaked Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch, delivering expressive aromatics, bright natural acidity, and effortless drinkability. Crafted in a clean, purity-driven style, this wine highlights Chenin’s fruit clarity and freshness rather than oak influence, making it an easygoing yet polished crowd pleaser.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh melon, ripe pear, subtle citrus peel, and gentle tropical notes lead the nose. On the palate, juicy stone fruit and honeydew glide alongside light floral tones, finishing with clean citrus lift and refreshing clarity.

Mouthfeel
Light-to-medium bodied, supple, and silky with crisp acidity keeping everything lively and balanced. Smooth texture without weight or heaviness, making it dangerously easy to enjoy by the glass.

Food Pairings
Grilled chicken or shrimp skewers. Fresh salads with citrus vinaigrette. Sushi or ceviche. Soft cheeses and light antipasti. Perfect as an aperitif.

Verdict
A joyful, highly drinkable Chenin Blanc that delivers aromatic charm, freshness, and balance without trying to overcomplicate things. A reliable crowd favorite that showcases why South Africa continues to shine with Chenin.

Did You Know?
South Africa is the world’s largest producer of Chenin Blanc, where the grape is historically known as Steen. It thrives in the Cape’s sunshine and cooling maritime influences, allowing producers like Raats to craft styles ranging from crisp and approachable to world-class age-worthy bottlings.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is pure “easy pleasure” wine, aromatic, refreshing, and endlessly drinkable. Perfect for casual gatherings, warm afternoons, and effortless sipping when you want quality without overthinking the glass. — 5 months ago

Darren Dalton

8.9

Good with Sunday roast beef — 6 years ago

Danielle Lowe

9.0

A good solid white wine. Had what I refer to as an initial zing on the palate but after a couple of sips this subsided to more of a general tangy acidity. Flavour lingers long after a sip and generally very pleasant. Consumed with pork and Welsh cheddar sausages, herbed new potatoes and carrots and they worked okay together but found the wine more enjoyable solo than with the meal. — 7 years ago

Neil McNally

9.6

Drinking with the winemaker Brewer Raats — 9 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.0

First American Chenin Blanc we have tried, the only experience we have with this varietal is with Raats Family Wines from South Africa. Very excited to try this one from Dane Cellars. Clear and par golden yellow. Started off with some honey suckle and perfume notes with a light citrus undertone on the nose. Definitely a little tangy and crisp. Lots of lemon and lime as well as some wet stones near the finish. Moderate plus acidity (7.5/10) that balanced out over the few days we tasted. Light bodied, refreshing. Long and lingering finish with a texture similar of that to biting into a Granny Smith Apple. Very refreshing and enough acidity to age a few years if you wanted to! Drink till 2021. — 10 years ago

Lauren Hartranft

9.2

Smooth, complex flavors — 11 years ago

with Scott