Raats Winery is a relatively young winery that we've quickly developed a secret love for. Founded in 2000, the winery has since become a true authority on Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. They are particularly renowned for their Chenin Blanc. Raats' philosophy is simple: to produce the finest Chenin Blanc wines in the world. South Africa and Chenin Blanc are deeply intertwined. More than half of the global Chenin Blanc plantings are planted in South Africa. This has allowed South Africa to truly make Chenin Blanc its own.
We discovered this outstanding Chenin Blanc wine when winemaker Gavin Bruwer was in the Netherlands. His cousin and uncle founded Raats at the beginning of this century in the dazzling region between Cape Town and Stellenbosch. They wanted to show the world the diverse aspects of Chenin Blanc. This Eden High Density Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc is the cream of the crop. The Chenin Blanc grapes come from a tiny vineyard in Polkadraai, where each bunch is harvested by hand in the second week of February. The vineyard is so small that the harvest takes only half a morning.
After harvest, the grapes are fermented—in stainless steel, Italian concrete, and French oak. A unique combination that creates the intense Chenin Blanc flavor. Afterward, the wine is left to mature on its own yeast cells for a full 11 months. The result? Your senses will be working overtime. Pour Eden High Density Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc and let your nose do the talking. An expressive bouquet of candied ginger, fresh pineapple, Granny Smith, and peach blossom tickles the nose. But the real treat begins on the palate, where aromas tumble over each other to conquer your taste buds. Think kumquat, lemon meringue, ripe honeydew melon, and quince. The finish teases us with the complexity of roasted hazelnuts and almonds.
