To produce the Cabernet Franc Eden High Density Raats bunches were hand-sorted. 20% went whole into an open-tank fermenter. The rest were destemmed and lightly crushed on top of the bunches. One punch down was done per day for a very gentle extraction. Natural fermentation took place after which grapes were basket-pressed. The wine spent 12 months in a new 300 L French oak barrel and a further 6 months in a fourth fill French oak barrel.
All grapes are from the Raats Eden High density single vineyard block in Polkadraai comprising of decomposed dolomite granite. Grapes were hand-picked at 22, 8⁰ Balling during the third week in February.
Bruwer Raats from Raats Family Wines, is a good giant man and his reputation is starting to match his stature. His mastery of chenin blanc and cabernet franc is bringing him praise from around the world as Stellenbosch’s “most exciting and forward-thinking winemaker”. As part of the new wave of South African winemakers, Bruwer produces soil-specific wines that embody the unique characteristics of the region. With manual harvesting, pressing of the whole bunch and the use of natural fermentation without clarification or filtering it helps him to create world-class wines. From 25-year-old sapling and pergola vines grown both on decomposed granite soils and on the arenaceous soils of Table Mountain. The vines are not irrigated and produce about 7 quintals per hectare.
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