Name: RAAR Chenin Blanc Skin Contact 2023
Brand: Raar
Price: 15.5 EUR
Availability: InStock

RAAR Chenin Blanc Skin Contact 2023

Manufacturer: Raar

A full-bodied and characterful Chenin Blanc that was macerated on the skins for 72 hours before fermentation. This has given it even greater fullness and a great variety of aromas and flavours while maintaining the pure profile of the variety. The Weltevrede vineyard was planted in 1979 on granite bedrock and produces great mineral wines. Only 1731 bottles see the light of day and we are lucky enough to have a few dozen in our portfolio. The palate is delicate and full-bodied, with notes of yellow apples and beeswax. The malolactic fermentation was only partially carried out and so the wine retains its fullness as well as a nice freshness and great acidity.

Tim Atkin 91

2023 / 0.75l / 11.5% / Swartland - South Africa

About the winery

'RAAR' translates as 'rare' or 'rare' and was chosen by Riebeek Valley Winery for its limited range, which consists each year of lesser known varieties in the region, but which should be significant for the Swartland appellation in the years to come.

These are small batches from the boutique cellar of an otherwise large winery, with one particular winemaker in charge of the entire process from vineyard to finished wine. Only about four barrels of a single varietal are produced each year, so it is a privilege to have these wines in our portfolio.

Terroir

Swartland, located about 65 kilometres north of Cape Town in South Africa's Western Cape, is famous for its grape growing. The climate in this area is extremely hot and dry, conditions that local winegrowers cleverly exploit to the benefit of their vineyards. In the driest and most extreme parts of the region, vineyards are planted in the drought-resistant 'bush vine' style. The basic soil in the Swartland is the Malmesbury slate, named after the town of Malmesbury, which lies at the heart of the region. Here, the vines dig their roots deep into the soil to access the water supply, resulting in stronger vines and grapes with highly concentrated flavours.

The name Swartland, which means 'black earth' in Afrikaans, is derived from the local renosterbos, or black rhino bush, which turns black after the rains. The key varieties grown here are Chenin Blanc and Shiraz, but Grenache and Mourvedre are now also becoming important in the region, along with plenty of other Italian and Portuguese varieties.