Mvemveraats

De Compostella Cabernet Franc Blend

9.249 ratings
9.317 pro ratings
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Pungent Cheese, Salami & Prosciutto, Hard Cheese, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Duck, Blue Cheese, Onion
Top Notes For
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

Seventh red in our South African blind tasting. One of the best Bordeaux blends out of South Africa. Dark purplish ruby red. Dark berries on the nose, lots of chalk and bell peppers. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Earthy palate with chalky elements. A little green and lots of red berries. Incredible structure and killer backbone. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2034.

Seventh red in our South African blind tasting. One of the best Bordeaux blends out of South Africa. Dark purplish ruby red. Dark berries on the nose, lots of chalk and bell peppers. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Earthy palate with chalky elements. A little green and lots of red berries. Incredible structure and killer backbone. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2034.

Dec 2nd, 2017
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

Fourth of the blind wines.

Deep ruby red. Nose started off quite tight, needs more than an hour and a half decant. Earthy nose with menthol notes, darker spices, cinnamon, a touch of dirty cellar, a little green, chalky and light dark berries. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and medium plus bodied. Great structure with notes of red berries, oak, earth, herbaceous, minerality, and a touch vegetal. Very dry and long finish. Drink till 2024. (91+)

Fourth of the blind wines.

Deep ruby red. Nose started off quite tight, needs more than an hour and a half decant. Earthy nose with menthol notes, darker spices, cinnamon, a touch of dirty cellar, a little green, chalky and light dark berries. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and medium plus bodied. Great structure with notes of red berries, oak, earth, herbaceous, minerality, and a touch vegetal. Very dry and long finish. Drink till 2024. (91+)

Aug 8th, 2017
LM Segal

Wonderful nose channeling right bank red flowers, mid-weight and crisp, full red berries and nicely balanced oak frame. Drink up…may’ve let it wait too long.

Wonderful nose channeling right bank red flowers, mid-weight and crisp, full red berries and nicely balanced oak frame. Drink up…may’ve let it wait too long.

1 person found it helpfulJan 29th, 2022
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The nose has nice ruby, ripe, dark, floral currants/cassis. Fruits are slightly candied. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plums, dark cherries, blue & purple fruits with faint raspberries & strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, black turned earth, steep tea, soft leather, saddle-wood, fresh tobacco, eucalyptus/mint, dry brush with dark, red, blue and violet flowers.

The body is full. Tannins are robust, dry, dusty, meaty, tarry, chewy and sticky. The fruits on the palate are slightly candied & floral. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plums, dark cherries, blue & purple fruits with faint raspberries & strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, black turned earth, steep tea, soft leather, wood plank, dry tobacco with ash, dry crushed granite minerals, eucalyptus/mint, dry brush with dark, red, blue and violet flowers. The acidy is really nice. The finish is ripe, ruby, juicy leading to dry sticky tannins & minerals. Needs some more time but delicious now.

Photos of; the view from their tasting room, lots of beautiful original artworks from famous local artists...a few of them the Uncle of our host, examples of some of the soil structures around their tasting room vines and their upstairs tasting room.

@Shay A Same here.

The nose has nice ruby, ripe, dark, floral currants/cassis. Fruits are slightly candied. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plums, dark cherries, blue & purple fruits with faint raspberries & strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, black turned earth, steep tea, soft leather, saddle-wood, fresh tobacco, eucalyptus/mint, dry brush with dark, red, blue and violet flowers.

The body is full. Tannins are robust, dry, dusty, meaty, tarry, chewy and sticky. The fruits on the palate are slightly candied & floral. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plums, dark cherries, blue & purple fruits with faint raspberries & strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, black turned earth, steep tea, soft leather, wood plank, dry tobacco with ash, dry crushed granite minerals, eucalyptus/mint, dry brush with dark, red, blue and violet flowers. The acidy is really nice. The finish is ripe, ruby, juicy leading to dry sticky tannins & minerals. Needs some more time but delicious now.

Photos of; the view from their tasting room, lots of beautiful original artworks from famous local artists...a few of them the Uncle of our host, examples of some of the soil structures around their tasting room vines and their upstairs tasting room.

@Shay A Same here.

1 person found it helpfulMay 13th, 2019
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

After the Aussie wines came two bad boys from SA. Here's the first. Dark crimson red. Slight barnyard on the nose with some green peppers and chalk. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Some green notes and light fruit. Long and dry finish backed up with a great structure. Drink till 2030. (93+)

After the Aussie wines came two bad boys from SA. Here's the first. Dark crimson red. Slight barnyard on the nose with some green peppers and chalk. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Some green notes and light fruit. Long and dry finish backed up with a great structure. Drink till 2030. (93+)

Oct 13th, 2016
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

Second time trying the Mvemve in the last month, absolutely delicious but needs time. Dark ruby red with deep red core. Similar to the 2012 Raats Cabernet Franc with cherries and a ton of bell peppers on the nose and palate. Well rounded with an incredible structure and solid backbone. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Cannot wait to try this in a few years, the finish never ends. Drink till 2036. 93+

Second time trying the Mvemve in the last month, absolutely delicious but needs time. Dark ruby red with deep red core. Similar to the 2012 Raats Cabernet Franc with cherries and a ton of bell peppers on the nose and palate. Well rounded with an incredible structure and solid backbone. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Cannot wait to try this in a few years, the finish never ends. Drink till 2036. 93+

Sep 15th, 2016
Greg Gregory

Surprise of the night.

Surprise of the night.

Sep 6th, 2016
Vino Kaela

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

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

Mar 19th, 2016
David Townsend

This wine is absolutely sensational. Somewhere between the best of CA. and lovely Bordeaux. Time to go buy more, because this one will age very nicely.

This wine is absolutely sensational. Somewhere between the best of CA. and lovely Bordeaux. Time to go buy more, because this one will age very nicely.

Jan 15th, 2016
Molly Brooks

Floral, pretty.

Floral, pretty.

Aug 8th, 2015