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Product: 2023 Raats, Vlag Vineyard Selection Cabernet Franc, Polkadraai Hills
This fantastic wine has just been voted ‘Cabernet Franc of the year’ in the Platters Guide. According to Bruwer Raats, it represents a “modern expression of Cabernet Franc.” Named after the Vlaeberg Mountain - the highest point in the Polkadraai Hills - Vlag pays tribute to the early farmers who used coloured flags (vlags) as signals to passing ships in Table Bay, indicating the produce needed from the harbour for the Spice Route. The wine is a blend of two vineyard parcels planted in 2002 and 2008, selected to showcase the decomposed granite soils and mineral complexity of the Polkadraai Hills. One-third is fermented and aged in a concrete tank, one-third in 300-litre French oak barrels, and one-third in 2,500-litre French oak foudre. After 16 months of ageing, the components are blended in proportions that Bruwer believes best express the character of the vintage.
The nose is very inviting with its dark, brooding compote-like profile of blueberries and bramble and classic aromas of pencil lead and capsicum. Whiffs of rose petals and exotic spices add to its layers. The dark fruit of the nose follows through onto a juicy, vibrant midpalate with intense flavours of liquorice, red currants and churned soil. The mid-palate is medium to full-bodied, silky smooth in texture and utterly complex, with clever nuances of cedar oak and refreshing acidity to balance. The wine is composed and very focused, with smooth, lithe tannins adding to the dimension and elegance. Gentle hints of dark chocolate, vanilla pod and graphite linger on a dry finish. Ageing potential 5-15 years if stored correctly.
Since 2000, Bruwer Raats, of Raats Family Wines has dedicated his life to mastering Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc in Stellenbosch’s Polkadraai Hills. With its unique decomposed dolomite granite soils, proximity to the ocean, and south-facing slopes, Polkadraai Hills offers exceptional depth of quality terroir, producing some of the most exciting wines in South Africa. Building on his recent accolade as Tim Atkin MW’s Winemaker of the Year, Bruwer continues to harness these extraordinary conditions to craft wines of precision and elegance that stand proudly alongside the finest expressions of these varieties globally.
The nose is very inviting with its dark, brooding compote-like profile of blueberries and bramble and classic aromas of pencil lead and capsicum. Whiffs of rose petals and exotic spices add to its layers. The dark fruit of the nose follows through onto a juicy, vibrant midpalate with intense flavours of liquorice, red currants and churned soil. The mid-palate is medium to full-bodied, silky smooth in texture and utterly complex, with clever nuances of cedar oak and refreshing acidity to balance. The wine is composed and very focused, with smooth, lithe tannins adding to the dimension and elegance. Gentle hints of dark chocolate, vanilla pod and graphite linger on a dry finish. Ageing potential 5-15 years if stored correctly.
Since 2000, Bruwer Raats, of Raats Family Wines has dedicated his life to mastering Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc in Stellenbosch’s Polkadraai Hills. With its unique decomposed dolomite granite soils, proximity to the ocean, and south-facing slopes, Polkadraai Hills offers exceptional depth of quality terroir, producing some of the most exciting wines in South Africa. Building on his recent accolade as Tim Atkin MW’s Winemaker of the Year, Bruwer continues to harness these extraordinary conditions to craft wines of precision and elegance that stand proudly alongside the finest expressions of these varieties globally.
Orders are typically processed within 2 working days and shipped by DPD using their Next Day service (delivery by the end of the next working day).
Orders to remote areas (e.g. Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland) may be sent with DPD’s Two Day service (delivery within two working days).
High-value or high-volume orders may be sent out with London City Bond (LCB) couriers who do not currently offer active tracking. Please contact us via email orders@waudhandford.com or phone +44 20 7589 6113 for updates on this.
Please note we only ship to Mainland UK addresses (Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey excluded).
Delivery Charges
- Flat Rate (DPD Next Day/DPD Two Day) – £7.50
- Orders over £250 – Free delivery
This fantastic wine has just been voted ‘Cabernet Franc of the year’ in the Platters Guide. According to Bruwer Raats, it represents a “modern expression of Cabernet Franc.” Named after the Vlaeberg Mountain - the highest point in the Polkadraai Hills - Vlag pays tribute to the early farmers who used coloured flags (vlags) as signals to passing ships in Table Bay, indicating the produce needed from the harbour for the Spice Route. The wine is a blend of two vineyard parcels planted in 2002 and 2008, selected to showcase the decomposed granite soils and mineral complexity of the Polkadraai Hills. One-third is fermented and aged in a concrete tank, one-third in 300-litre French oak barrels, and one-third in 2,500-litre French oak foudre. After 16 months of ageing, the components are blended in proportions that Bruwer believes best express the character of the vintage.
The nose is very inviting with its dark, brooding compote-like profile of blueberries and bramble and classic aromas of pencil lead and capsicum. Whiffs of rose petals and exotic spices add to its layers. The dark fruit of the nose follows through onto a juicy, vibrant midpalate with intense flavours of liquorice, red currants and churned soil. The mid-palate is medium to full-bodied, silky smooth in texture and utterly complex, with clever nuances of cedar oak and refreshing acidity to balance. The wine is composed and very focused, with smooth, lithe tannins adding to the dimension and elegance. Gentle hints of dark chocolate, vanilla pod and graphite linger on a dry finish. Ageing potential 5-15 years if stored correctly.
Since 2000, Bruwer Raats, of Raats Family Wines has dedicated his life to mastering Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc in Stellenbosch’s Polkadraai Hills. With its unique decomposed dolomite granite soils, proximity to the ocean, and south-facing slopes, Polkadraai Hills offers exceptional depth of quality terroir, producing some of the most exciting wines in South Africa. Building on his recent accolade as Tim Atkin MW’s Winemaker of the Year, Bruwer continues to harness these extraordinary conditions to craft wines of precision and elegance that stand proudly alongside the finest expressions of these varieties globally.
The nose is very inviting with its dark, brooding compote-like profile of blueberries and bramble and classic aromas of pencil lead and capsicum. Whiffs of rose petals and exotic spices add to its layers. The dark fruit of the nose follows through onto a juicy, vibrant midpalate with intense flavours of liquorice, red currants and churned soil. The mid-palate is medium to full-bodied, silky smooth in texture and utterly complex, with clever nuances of cedar oak and refreshing acidity to balance. The wine is composed and very focused, with smooth, lithe tannins adding to the dimension and elegance. Gentle hints of dark chocolate, vanilla pod and graphite linger on a dry finish. Ageing potential 5-15 years if stored correctly.
Since 2000, Bruwer Raats, of Raats Family Wines has dedicated his life to mastering Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc in Stellenbosch’s Polkadraai Hills. With its unique decomposed dolomite granite soils, proximity to the ocean, and south-facing slopes, Polkadraai Hills offers exceptional depth of quality terroir, producing some of the most exciting wines in South Africa. Building on his recent accolade as Tim Atkin MW’s Winemaker of the Year, Bruwer continues to harness these extraordinary conditions to craft wines of precision and elegance that stand proudly alongside the finest expressions of these varieties globally.
Orders are typically processed within 2 working days and shipped by DPD using their Next Day service (delivery by the end of the next working day).
Orders to remote areas (e.g. Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland) may be sent with DPD’s Two Day service (delivery within two working days).
High-value or high-volume orders may be sent out with London City Bond (LCB) couriers who do not currently offer active tracking. Please contact us via email orders@waudhandford.com or phone +44 20 7589 6113 for updates on this.
Please note we only ship to Mainland UK addresses (Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey excluded).
Delivery Charges
- Flat Rate (DPD Next Day/DPD Two Day) – £7.50
- Orders over £250 – Free delivery
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