Raka Wines, ‘Quinary’, 2021, Klein River (WO)

'One-Liner'
A polished five-grape Cape blend with cassis, red berries and savoury spice – full-bodied and structured, with fine oak and a long, gently leathery finish.

Tasting Note
Deep ruby with a touch of brick at the rim, opening with cassis, redcurrant and ripe plum alongside leather, cedar and warming spice. The palate is full-bodied yet composed, with generous berry fruit, measured oak and dry, grainy tannins providing plenty of structure, leading into a long, savoury finish of tobacco, spice and dark fruit.

Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Sub-Region: Klein River WO
Grape(s): 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec
ABV: 14%
Friendly: Vegan, Vegetarian

Awards & Critics' Scores
Silver Medal – Fine Wine Awards 2025
Double Gold – Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards 2024
91 Points – Gilbert & Gaillard 2024
Double Platinum & Top 100 – National Wine Challenge 2024

The Story
Raka is a family-run estate set beside the Klein River, where the slopes of the Kleinrivier Mountains and cooling afternoon breezes from Walker Bay create a distinctive setting for richly flavoured but well-balanced reds. Quinary brings together the five classic red grapes of Bordeaux, led by Cabernet Sauvignon for structure and cassis depth, with Merlot adding softness and the smaller components contributing perfume, spice and complexity. The fruit was harvested by hand, cold-soaked and fermented in stainless steel before spending 12 months in a mixture of new and seasoned French oak, building texture and savoury character while allowing the generous fruit to remain at the heart of the wine.

Perfect With... (click me for the recipe)
- Meat/fish: Braised lamb with rosemary and garlic
- Vegetarian: Charred mushroom and black pepper pappardelle
- Vegan: Braised red cabbage with lentils and roasted onions