Raats - Mr De Compostella 2011

Deep, dark intense ruby colour.

Red plum and black cherry fruit with a hint of cinnamon.

Rich and muscular with mineral, black berry fruit and dark chocolate on the finish.

Harmoniously composed of sufficient of each of the five main Bordeaux varieties to ensure none dominates.

This wine shows a consistent, linear flavour profile.

Each variety was harvested separately from specially chosen vineyards in the Stellenbosch area.

The resultant cuvee is called De Compostella ('The Compilation of Stars') and the aim was to make each of the five components able to stand as varietal wines. The wines were tasted blind after one year in the barrel and the blend was then constructed in descending percentages, from the wine which rated highest to that in 5th place.

Each variety spent twelve months in barrel as a single varietal before the wine was blended together. Thereafter the blended wine was matured for another twelve months giving a total of twenty-four months in barrel, a third of which was new French Oak, a further third in 2nd fill and a final third in 3rd fill French Oak barrels.

Grape: 32% Cabernet Franc, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 16% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot.