Raoul's Red Blend 2023

Located in the village of Bot River, in the heart of the Walker Bay wine region of the Western Cape, Beaumont Family Wines benefits from a cool maritime climate, tempered by the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean and the breezes blowing in from the bay. The vines are planted in ancient soils of decomposed schist and clay, providing natural drainage and good water retention. This hilly terroir, with its varied exposures, allows for a slow and even ripening of the grapes, preserving the freshness and natural balance of the estate's red wines.

The grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and then destemmed before maceration and fermentation in vats, varietal by varietal, to preserve the fruit and freshness. Regular pump-overs accompany the fermentation to gently extract color and tannins. After malolactic fermentation, the different batches are aged separately in oak barrels and vats for several months, then blended to achieve a harmonious balance between structure, aromatic complexity, and immediate drinkability.

This wine reveals notes of ripe red fruit , black plum , and blackberry , enhanced by spicy touches of pepper and clove , as well as delicate floral nuances and discreet oak with hints of vanilla and cedar . The palate is supple, with fine tannins , moderate acidity that brings freshness, and a velvety texture, leading to a harmonious and slightly spicy finish.

The first grape vines were planted in South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 1650s, although wine production did not really take off until the arrival of French Protestants in the 1680s with their skills and knowledge of viticulture. Stellenbosch is also a historic wine region, with the first vineyards being planted there in the 1690s. Today, South Africa is one of the most important wine producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. With over 300 years of winemaking history, it is often described as a bridge between the Old and New Worlds. The majority of wines are produced using New World winemaking techniques, but they often share more in common stylistically with their Old World counterparts. Since the end of apartheid, South African wine has received international attention and acclaim for its wide variety of styles. South Africa's wine industry is spread across the lush and rugged landscape of the Western Cape. Here, the abundance of mountains, valleys and plateaus allows winemakers to produce a wide variety of styles. Vineyards are also found in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape, where the flat, arid landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. Most of South Africa's wine regions have a Mediterranean climate, heavily influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country's signature grape variety is Pinotage, an indigenous cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault that is rarely found in quantity in other wine-producing countries. Shiraz (Syrah) is also widely planted, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often combined in a Bordeaux blend). South African Chardonnay, Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc have become popular internationally in recent years.