Raats

Original Unwooded Chenin Blanc

8.911 ratings
9.12 pro ratings
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
Chenin Blanc
Turkey, Vanilla & Caramel, Fruit & Berries, Exotic Spices, Salads & Greens, Pate, Potato, Tomato-Based, Chicken, Fruit Desserts, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pungent Cheese, Squash & Root Vegetables, Goat & Feta Cheese, Cheddar & Gruyere, Sweet Potato, Yuca, Taro, Baking Spices, Chili & Hot Spicy, Nuts & Seeds, Soft Cheese, Salami & Prosciutto, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Quinoa, Shellfish, Sweet Potato
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Raats was an interesting visit from all our others. Raats is considered a small producer in the 8th ranked wine producing country in the world.

Raats buys the majority of their fruit. The vines around their tasting room, they work but, do not own. They produce their wines at another producer’s facility. It’s a daunting expense starting a Cellar Door or Winery. Custom wine crush facilities are a trend not just in Napa but, other parts of the world as well. In this particular case, it saves the owner enough money to drive the very nice cars parked outside their tasting room, one a Ferrari.

This is their no wood/oak Chenin Blanc.

The nose shows; soft tones of wet wool, peach, white, lemon, dry green herbs, grapefruit, chalkiness, volcanic minerals & yellow flowers.

The body is round, full and beautiful. Soft wet wool, peach, white, green melon, a little sour lemon, dry green herbs, grapefruit, chalkiness, palate pressing medium intensity volcanic minerals & yellow flowers. Nice round acidity and a well balanced, polished finish.

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.

Raats was an interesting visit from all our others. Raats is considered a small producer in the 8th ranked wine producing country in the world.

Raats buys the majority of their fruit. The vines around their tasting room, they work but, do not own. They produce their wines at another producer’s facility. It’s a daunting expense starting a Cellar Door or Winery. Custom wine crush facilities are a trend not just in Napa but, other parts of the world as well. In this particular case, it saves the owner enough money to drive the very nice cars parked outside their tasting room, one a Ferrari.

This is their no wood/oak Chenin Blanc.

The nose shows; soft tones of wet wool, peach, white, lemon, dry green herbs, grapefruit, chalkiness, volcanic minerals & yellow flowers.

The body is round, full and beautiful. Soft wet wool, peach, white, green melon, a little sour lemon, dry green herbs, grapefruit, chalkiness, palate pressing medium intensity volcanic minerals & yellow flowers. Nice round acidity and a well balanced, polished finish.

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.

May 13th, 2019
Katie Stamas

Peach, lemon, white pepper, crisp minerality and medium acidity. Pairs well with food; I paired it with bbq chicken & veggies and it held up nicely.

Peach, lemon, white pepper, crisp minerality and medium acidity. Pairs well with food; I paired it with bbq chicken & veggies and it held up nicely.

Jul 3rd, 2019
Celina Mattocks

Another one to try - Molderbush - chenin Blanc south africa

Another one to try - Molderbush - chenin Blanc south africa

Jun 4th, 2019
Mark Flesher

D3. Very light Chenin. Getting some lemon primarily on the nose. Very light but crisp open yet acidity is restrained. Middle with hints of peach and tangerine. Finishes with more rounded edges than I thought it would. Did what it needed to do to mellow me post lunch!

D3. Very light Chenin. Getting some lemon primarily on the nose. Very light but crisp open yet acidity is restrained. Middle with hints of peach and tangerine. Finishes with more rounded edges than I thought it would. Did what it needed to do to mellow me post lunch!

Apr 12th, 2019
Scott E. Becker

[Tasted on December 7, 2018 at JAL Lounge at Narita Airport in Tokyo]

Floral note on nose. Peach, sour apple with crisp acidity. Simple, but pleasant wine.

[Tasted on December 7, 2018 at JAL Lounge at Narita Airport in Tokyo]

Floral note on nose. Peach, sour apple with crisp acidity. Simple, but pleasant wine.

Dec 7th, 2018
Jens Lundqvist

Bartender/waiter/sommelier/ PA & Co

8.9

Jens had this 5 years ago

Jens had this 5 years ago

Oct 23rd, 2019
Toby Hughes

Toby had this 4 years ago

Toby had this 4 years ago

Jun 20th, 2020
Toby Hughes

Toby had this 4 years ago

Toby had this 4 years ago

May 8th, 2020
Eric Reinhard

Eric had this 4 years ago

Eric had this 4 years ago

Apr 24th, 2020
Toby Hughes

Toby had this 4 years ago

Toby had this 4 years ago

Mar 29th, 2020