Raats
Family Stellenbosch Cabernet Franc
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
It is Saturday night and I had a taste for a Cabernet Franc. A few days ago I picked up the 2015 Raats Family Cabernet Franc Stellenbosch. It has been awhile since I have had a wine from South Africa and this is a great expression of a quality Cab Franc.
On the nose there is strawberry, raspberry, red plum, red currant, vanilla, green bell pepper herbs and crushed gravel.
The palate reveals green bell pepper, strawberry, raspberry, herbs, spice, crushed gravel and good earth tones.
This wine is medium to plus bodied with medium + acidity and medium + smooth mouth drying tannins that lead to a medium to long finish. A very enjoyable wine that can be stored at least for another 10 years or pop and pour now. Keep enjoying the weekend and stay safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
It is Saturday night and I had a taste for a Cabernet Franc. A few days ago I picked up the 2015 Raats Family Cabernet Franc Stellenbosch. It has been awhile since I have had a wine from South Africa and this is a great expression of a quality Cab Franc.
On the nose there is strawberry, raspberry, red plum, red currant, vanilla, green bell pepper herbs and crushed gravel.
The palate reveals green bell pepper, strawberry, raspberry, herbs, spice, crushed gravel and good earth tones.
This wine is medium to plus bodied with medium + acidity and medium + smooth mouth drying tannins that lead to a medium to long finish. A very enjoyable wine that can be stored at least for another 10 years or pop and pour now. Keep enjoying the weekend and stay safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
If there's a better Cab Franc wine maker on the planet please let me know immediately. Long been Raats fan, but this wine (their flagship) is my favorite vintage of theirs that I have had to this point. Improved in the decanter as the night went on. I think it's another few years before this vintage really hits it prime (only reason I didn't give it a 10). I will be laying a few bottles down for when it does peak. Classic peppery herbaceous red fruit flavors and silky mineral finish, exactly what you would expect from well made Cab Franc. What really sets this wine apart from the rest is the remarkable balance of flavor, acidity, and tannins. Elegant finish has legs as long as your first summer lifeguard crush.
If there's a better Cab Franc wine maker on the planet please let me know immediately. Long been Raats fan, but this wine (their flagship) is my favorite vintage of theirs that I have had to this point. Improved in the decanter as the night went on. I think it's another few years before this vintage really hits it prime (only reason I didn't give it a 10). I will be laying a few bottles down for when it does peak. Classic peppery herbaceous red fruit flavors and silky mineral finish, exactly what you would expect from well made Cab Franc. What really sets this wine apart from the rest is the remarkable balance of flavor, acidity, and tannins. Elegant finish has legs as long as your first summer lifeguard crush.
1 person found it helpfulMar 4th, 2016
Deep garnet red. Classic Cabernet Franc and South African nose, layers of bell peppers, light barnyard, chalk, bark and a little stinky. Moderate tannins (6.5/10) with medium plus body and balanced acidity. Aged beautifully. Notes of red cherries, dust, and a touch herbaceous. Medium plus finish. Drink by 2018.
Deep garnet red. Classic Cabernet Franc and South African nose, layers of bell peppers, light barnyard, chalk, bark and a little stinky. Moderate tannins (6.5/10) with medium plus body and balanced acidity. Aged beautifully. Notes of red cherries, dust, and a touch herbaceous. Medium plus finish. Drink by 2018.
Feb 24th, 20173/2022. Has flavor and body. Pairs well with steak at Hall’s Chophouse.
3/2022. Has flavor and body. Pairs well with steak at Hall’s Chophouse.
Mar 26th, 2022Really 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.
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.
Sep 22nd, 2021
Beautiful aromas of pepper and clay. Strong tannins. Decant this one well. Straight from the bottle the alcohol and acid dominate the palate but around 45mins or so in a decanter the tartness of red fruit comes forward. Great complexity and structure.
Beautiful aromas of pepper and clay. Strong tannins. Decant this one well. Straight from the bottle the alcohol and acid dominate the palate but around 45mins or so in a decanter the tartness of red fruit comes forward. Great complexity and structure.
Jul 20th, 2019
Just a fantastic Cabernet Franc. Hard to beat. Elegant and wonderful. And from a South Africa winery with great traditions which played an important role in the development of wine in SA.
Just a fantastic Cabernet Franc. Hard to beat. Elegant and wonderful. And from a South Africa winery with great traditions which played an important role in the development of wine in SA.
Mar 29th, 2018Great potential, but don’t open til at least 2019.
Great potential, but don’t open til at least 2019.
Nov 20th, 2017
2006-Lovely bottle we bought when we did a tour before our wedding in 2007. Fruity nose and yummy
2006-Lovely bottle we bought when we did a tour before our wedding in 2007. Fruity nose and yummy
Oct 2nd, 2016