Raats, Chenin Blanc Old Vine, Stellenbosch

Chenin Blanc is the most planted grape variety in South Africa. Extremely versatile, it is used to make dry, age-worthy white wine; Botrytis-affected sweet wine; sparkling wine; and even fortified wine. Dry styles, like this 2018 from Stellenbosch by @RaatsFamilyWines is enjoyable still in its youth but has the acidic structure and complexity to age another 5-7 years.

Delish. Still has plenty of time left.

My first time having this and I was pretty impressed. Right out of the gate, there are notes of apple, citrus, some stony minerality, also a touch of exotic fruit (like pineapple), also some floral notes too. It‘s medium-full bodied, has some nice medium-high acidity adding grip and freshness, Good medium long finish, which also leaves a sense of freshness. A very nice Chenin Blanc that combines a touch of exotic fruit with good freshness and excellent varietal character. Good …

I mostly drink Loire chenin, and this is clearly a different experience. Much softer, rounder, riper. There is tropical and candied fruit, honey candy. Plenty of smoky oak but little to no vanilla. Good balance and very good length, which sort of sneaks up on you through that ripeness. Very nice!

Incredible value for the quality of this Chenin....all the right stuff, and the hit of the table. Drinking exceptionally well now, with some evolution to come in the next 2 or so ye

Delicate aromas fairly typical of the varietal but not overly tropical like you get sometimes. A hint of the wool thing that the first reviewer mentioned which doesn't sound appealing but gives it some character. Crisp, fairly dry, juicy, good finish. All in all a really nice example of chenin blanc. I'd buy again.

Wine is Medium Gold with a pronounced nose of grass, wet stone, florals. The wine is dry with medium+ acidity and medium alcohol and body. Flavours are pronounced also, with caramel, lemon, vanilla, pineapple, and stone. Finish is medium. All on this is a very good wine, well balanced with decent complexity and flavour intensity.

It’s fuller & creamy on the nose than their Original Un-Oaked Chenin. More pronounced wet wool as well. Lemon, lime, grapefruit, white peach, green melon, honey notes, very under minerals & chalkiness, light straw notes, wafting dry herbs with yellow flowers and lilies. The palate show a little more pronounced wet wool quality than the nose. Lemon, lime, grapefruit, white peach, green melon, honey notes, some cream, very under minerals & chalkiness, light straw notes, wafting dry herbs with yellow …