Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Raats — Original Chenin Blanc 2023
Stellenbosch, South Africa 🇿🇦

Overview
An approachable, unoaked Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch, delivering expressive aromatics, bright natural acidity, and effortless drinkability. Crafted in a clean, purity-driven style, this wine highlights Chenin’s fruit clarity and freshness rather than oak influence, making it an easygoing yet polished crowd pleaser.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh melon, ripe pear, subtle citrus peel, and gentle tropical notes lead the nose. On the palate, juicy stone fruit and honeydew glide alongside light floral tones, finishing with clean citrus lift and refreshing clarity.

Mouthfeel
Light-to-medium bodied, supple, and silky with crisp acidity keeping everything lively and balanced. Smooth texture without weight or heaviness, making it dangerously easy to enjoy by the glass.

Food Pairings
Grilled chicken or shrimp skewers. Fresh salads with citrus vinaigrette. Sushi or ceviche. Soft cheeses and light antipasti. Perfect as an aperitif.

Verdict
A joyful, highly drinkable Chenin Blanc that delivers aromatic charm, freshness, and balance without trying to overcomplicate things. A reliable crowd favorite that showcases why South Africa continues to shine with Chenin.

Did You Know?
South Africa is the world’s largest producer of Chenin Blanc, where the grape is historically known as Steen. It thrives in the Cape’s sunshine and cooling maritime influences, allowing producers like Raats to craft styles ranging from crisp and approachable to world-class age-worthy bottlings.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is pure “easy pleasure” wine, aromatic, refreshing, and endlessly drinkable. Perfect for casual gatherings, warm afternoons, and effortless sipping when you want quality without overthinking the glass. — 4 months ago

Mark S.

9.0

Deep cherry red with violet. Black pepper. Blueberry blackberry leather nutmeg clove
Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M Acidity M Tannin M+ Soft Bitterness M Body M+ Finish M 14% Elegant but Concentrated Robust Mullineux Family Wines Swartland Syrah 23 @6160, AD, 251225 — 5 months ago

Jonathan Warren

9.1

This was fantastic honey, apple, waxy, and mineral all for less than 20 dollars — 6 months ago

Chris MacLean

9.0

Still a solid value — 7 months ago

with Sarah

Kristen Grimes

10

Light, crisp, bubbly and delicious. Tart green apple acidity and a long apple skin finish. Maybe our last bottle of this until we get to South Africa, so what a better way to celebrate our amazing Hawaiian adventure 🏝️🥰 — 10 months ago

Steven Goh

8.9

Touch of sweetness at first glance, perish and strong sensation after taste — 3 years ago

Ted

9.1

Herbs, cinnamon and hints of incense. Light color. Pretty damn good. — 4 months ago

with Jeni

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.2

Delish and interesting. — 4 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2017 | magnum | well developed rounded Cabernet Sauvignon — 5 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2018 | paired with turkey cream sauce — 5 months ago

Space

9.4

Выпито третьим вином на этой дегустации . 2023 год. — 6 months ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

8/2025. Very nice cab Merlot blend. Nice flavor and finish. Nice on the palate. — 9 months ago

Tom Garland

9.1

Decant and pour. On the nose: Terrific nose of stewed plum, eucalyptus, herbaceous, smoke, black olives, and mushroom. Taste: smooth, creamy, dry wine with blackberry, pencil lead, dried herbs, smoke, dark cherry, earth, and a medium finish. — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Donald Williams

9.3

We really enjoyed this. — 4 months ago

with Bonnie

Charlie Elliott

9.1

No harm in that — 4 months ago

shaun house

9.3

Good with food. — 4 months ago

with Nadine

Tegan Marriott

8.9

Santa Barbara highlands radiance in a glass! Yo, I'll pretend I'm rolling through da Wine Ghetto! — 6 months ago

David White

9.4

See earlier note, this is a great Bordeaux blend- 75% Cab Sauvignon , 14% Cab Franc and 11% Merlot.
A deep ruby colour with nice berry fruit nose and good acidity and long finish.
Excellent wine — 8 months ago

Megan

9.2

Majestic - really nice, a little different. Quite strong — a year ago

Henry Boshoff

9.3

Nice and spicy... — 5 years ago