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. — a day ago

Sam Winner

9.4

Delicious and smooth — a month ago

James Everhart

9.0

Not quite as good as the 2018, which The winemaker admitted at a tasting, but still first rate. A decent match for the traditional Thanksgiving dishes. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Ken Forrester — The FMC Chenin Blanc 2024
Stellenbosch, South Africa 🇿🇦

Overview
A benchmark, world-class expression of South African Chenin Blanc, showcasing depth, precision, and layered complexity. The FMC represents Ken Forrester’s top selection, crafted for texture, longevity, and serious terroir expression rather than easy immediacy.

Aromas & Flavors
Lovely ripe baked pear leads the aromatics, followed by subtle citrus peel, gentle tropical tones, and floral hints of acacia. The palate leans more stony and yellow-fruited than juicy, with honeydew, orchard fruit, and a refined mineral thread carrying through the mid-palate.

Mouthfeel
Elegant, structured, and finely layered. Not plush or overtly rich, instead focused, composed, and quietly powerful with excellent tension and balance.

Food Pairings
Roast poultry with herbs, grilled seafood with citrus butter, seared scallops, creamy risotto, aged Alpine cheeses, or Moroccan-spiced dishes.

Verdict
A sophisticated, cerebral Chenin Blanc that rewards attention. Precision meets quiet power, delivering complexity without heaviness and showing clear aging potential.

Did You Know?
FMC stands for Forrester’s Mission Chenin, named after the original Mission Station vineyard block that inspired this flagship cuvée, now regarded as one of South Africa’s most collectible and age-worthy Chenin Blancs.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is the kind of Chenin that reminds you why the Cape has earned global respect, layered, disciplined, mineral-driven, and deeply expressive. Serious wine, serious pleasure. — a day ago

Jalyn Warren

8.9

Very nice! — 12 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Dark ruby red color, purple edges, with aromas of dark fruits and baking spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with vanilla, cedar and cinnamon spice. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, cedar and spice. — 2 months ago

David White

9.2

2019 Cabernet Sauvignon and @ 6 years this should be in the right spot but seems to probably require a few more years to be optimal. However, after awhile it was more opened and displayed typical Kanonkop hallmarks.
— 19 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2017 | magnum | well developed rounded Cabernet Sauvignon — 23 days ago

George

9.8

Smooth,semi dry, hint of berries, easy drinking wine. — a month ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2022 | much character! Purple rim. Cassis, leather. Infanticide but so much potential. We tasted the wine after popped and pour, I am sure with a few hours decanter my appreciation would be + 0,2. The wine screams for food, as tannins are very present now. — 2 months ago