The 2021 Raats Family Red Jasper is a Bordeaux-style red blend from Stellenbosch, South Africa, crafted by Bruwer Raats, a winemaker renowned for his focus on Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc since founding the winery in 2000. Sourced from vineyards totaling approximately 25 hectares, the blend typically comprises Cabernet Franc as the lead varietal, supported by Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon grow on Stellenbosch's decomposed granite soils. The 2021 vintage benefited from a cool, late-ripening season, yielding balanced acidity and moderate alcohol levels. Winemaking emphasizes site expression, employing hand-harvesting, fermentation in open tanks, and aging in a mix of French oak barrels, 20% new. Red Jasper is an impressive red blend that drinks way above its price point and rivals Bordeaux's twice the price!

Wine Advocate 94+
Still a baby, the 2021 Red Jasper is a blend of 53% Cabernet Franc, 20% Malbec, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. The nose is tight, with red fruit essences swaying with notions of dusty florals, brown baking spices and spiced plum. Medium to full-bodied, the wine will have no problem filling its shoes over the next year, as it possesses gobs of complexity that uncoil on the palate before ending with a long lingering, spicy finish. You’ll be tempted to open this beautiful wine too early; give it time, and your patience will be rewarded. The wine rested for 16 months in French oak barrels. Only 17,000 bottles of this South African gem were produced.

4 ½ Stars 2023 Platter’s South African Wine Guide
At 53%, cab franc leads 21 (93 pts) 5-way Bordeaux-style blend. Immediately appealing, with ripe but lively cedar-influenced aromas & flavours. Subtle oaking (none new) in support of sweet fruit, tannins juicy, the balance effective. With a good future ahead, it’s already delicious.

Tim Atkin MW 93 pts!
Jasper is Cabernet Franc based – it’s Bruwer Raats’ favourite red variety after all – with the remaining 47% made up of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Curated in older wood, it shows the freshness, focus and balance that are the hallmarks of the winery’s style, with plum, black cherry and cassis flavours and layered, sinewy tannins. 2024-30

Vinous 92pts!
The 2021 Red Blend Jasper comprises 53% Cabernet Franc, 20% Malbec, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, aged for 16 months in 2nd to 4th fill barrels before bottling. It has a lovely blackberry and raspberry scented bouquet with hints of cracked black pepper and iodine, I think, emanating from the Malbec. The medium-bodied palate has grainy tannins, fresh and quite saline, assiduously blended to feel harmonious and focused on the finish. This cuvée retails for around $20 to $25 a bottle in the United States, where sales are booming. If you know better value-for-money, let me know because I’d be damned if I knew of one.

James Suckling 92pts!
Freshly brewed tea, pencil shavings, fresh and dried herbs and fresh blackberries on the nose. Wild blueberries, too. Medium-bodied with a firm and fine-grained tannin frame. Structured and elegant. 53% cabernet franc, 20% malbec, 18% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot and 2% petit verdot. Drink from 2024.

Bordeaux Blend

2021 Raats Family Red Jasper