Raats Jasper Red Blend Stellenbosch, South Africa 2020

A Stellenbosch Bordeaux-style blend built around Cabernet Franc, with dark-berry depth, savory forest-floor complexity, and a polished, fine-grained, velvety frame. It’s powerful, and balanced with light notes from mostly older French barrels, which keeps the fruit and granitic freshness in focus. From mature Stellenbosch vineyards rooted in granite and sandstone, Jasper 2020 is hand-sorted, cold-soaked, and aged for 16 months in used French oak, resulting in a sleek, structured finish. The blend is 44% Cabernet Franc, 25% Malbec, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot.

Expect notes of blackberry, black cherry, bramble, tobacco spice, dark chocolate, and a lifted herbal perfume. Cellar-worthy, and already drinking well with a short decant.

Pair with a dry-aged ribeye, herb-crusted lamb chops, wild game sausage, charred eggplant or hard nutty cheeses such as Neal's Yard Montgomery, Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve, and Jasper Hill Cabot Clothbound.