Raats, Red Jasper 2014, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Tasting Note: A cabernet-franc dominated, Bordeaux-styled red blend from South Africa that delivers beautiful fruit and value for the price point.

Deep-intensity ruby in color, this wine has a medium-plus intensity, aromatic nose of pencil shavings, blueberry, red plum, black currant, forest floor and crushed dried violet.

On the palate the dry, medium-plus bodied red blend delivers red and black fruit suggested on the nose ultimately completing with a medium-plus finish.

The wine is creamy in texture with ripe, medium tannin.

Bottle Note: The Red Jasper is of the oldest gemstones and is also the name our beloved father Jasper Raats, Sr., who was one of the founders and viticulturalists of Raats Family Wines. This wine is an ode to him and celebrates the effort he put into the cultivation of quality grapes. The Red Jasper gemstone brings hidden feelings to the surface, creates harmony and offers a new perspective on cabernet franc, the variety Jasper loved so much which the Raats family specializes in. The wine is accordingly comprised of 60% cabernet franc, 24% cabernet sauvignon, 8% petit verdot, 6% merlot and 2% malbec. – Bruwer Raats.