13,50 €
RAAR Grenache Blanc 2023
RAAR Grenache Blanc 2023
Manufacturer: Raar
Absolutely great energizing affair. Grenache Blanc combines freshness but also fullness, character but also directness. The aroma is predominantly citrus, jasmine and peach. The palate is full of energy with a touch of minerality, lively acidity and a long finish. The wine could also be categorised as 'natural', but it is beautifully pure, with no oxidative notes and minimal intervention in the production process to outline this distinctive character of the vineyard. The grapes are harvested by hand and pressed whole and with the trellis, then fermented wildly in old 300 litre barrels and further aged on fine lees for 8 months. A fantastic "gastro" wine.
Tim Atkin 93
2023 / 0.75l / 13% / 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.

Recommended wine pairings

RAAR Grenache Blanc 2023