Raats Original Unwooded Chenin Blanc – A Natural Beauty

100% Chenin Blanc from Coastal Region, South Africa.

SRP of $15 and available for as low as $12. Sample received courtesy Cape Classics for review purposes.

From the bottle:

“‘Original’ celebrates wine at its most natural! Made from handpicked grapes and crafted without oak to preserve all the ‘original’ vibrant freshness and flavour. A wine that reflects the lifelong passion our family has for Chenin Blanc. We hope that those who drink this wine can share and appreciate the passion with which each bottle was created. Pairs effortlessly with a variety of foods, but we particularly enjoy it with spicy prawn dishes, sushi and oysters.
-Bruwer Raats (Winemaker)

13.0% Alcohol”

South Africa is known for Chenin Blanc, and we’ve tasted some really excellent ones from this area recently. (Ken Forrester Reserve Chenin Blanc 2010 – Rich, Creamy, Toasty and Fruity andBellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2010 – Goodbye Chardonnay, Hello Chenin Blanc.) Much like Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc can be made with and without the use of oak aging, producing very different wines. Today’s wine goes the unoaked route and the result is quite nice.

The 2011 Raats Original Unwooded Chenin Blanc begins with a nice lightly fruity aroma featuring green apple, pineapple and melon. Tasting the wine reveals it to be fresh and delicious with a light minerality and excellent flavors of apple, peach and lime with a touch of honey and spice. It ends with a tangy minerality on the long finish and flavors of pineapple and orange zest. A really excellent wine that lets the natural beauty of the variety shine thanks to the lack of oak.

Buy this wine online from our featured sponsor Marketview Liquor or see a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.

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