2020 Raats, MR Mvemve Raats Compostella, Stellenbosch 1x75cl

Neal Martin 96

The 2020 MR de Compostella was born in what Bruwer Raats describes as a "normal vintage," i.e., without the extreme weather conditions that beset others. It displays more red than black fruit, iris flower and cinnamon, with wonderful definition that blossoms in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied and tightly wound with grainy tannins, revealing notes of graphite and freshly-rolled tobacco. There is a sense of purity and delicacy on the finish, but there is grip and density too. This is a tremendous Compostella, though it requires another two or three years in bottle. [Neal Martin, 01/09/2026]

Anticipated maturity: 2028-2048

JancisRobinson.com 17

Full bottle an unnecessarily heavy 1,658 g, but it’s good wine! A joint venture between Mzokhona Mvemve and the Raats family. Blend of 30% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 16% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Vines aged between nine and 22 years on decomposed dolomite granite and Table Mountain sandstone soils. Yield was 3.0-3.5 ton/ha. Apparently the aim with this wine was to take each of the five components and make a varietal wine in its own right. The wines were then tasted blind after one year in barrel. The wines that scored less than 90 points were not considered for the final blend, whose assemblage was determined by the scores in this blind tasting. The name of the resultant blend is De Compostella (The Compilation of Stars). One of the most highly rated red blends in South Africa. Bright garnet. Much mellower on the palate than the Raats Jasper 2020 tasted alongside. Really nicely balanced for current drinking. Great vivacity and a fully integrated blend with a Cabernet signature and perfume and no excess sweetness of oak. Long. Impressive. I see that in the past I have found young examples of this wine pretty embryonic but this 2020 is already pretty gorgeous. Just a shame about the bottle weight! (JR) [07/01/2023]

Anticipated maturity: 2023-2033