Donovan Rall's signature releases

 
Wine Cellar - fine wine merchants & cellarers
 
Donovan Rall's signature releases James Pietersen, 29 July 2021
 

Rall Wines – Always good. Always limited.

Dear *|FNAME|*,

After tasting Donovan's new releases with him last week, it's clear that he's extremely excited by this year's set. Having followed his wines since the maiden, Platter's 5-star vintage, it is always impressive to see how he continuously improves; adding nuance and precision. I think this is his best set of wines to date.

Now well-established as one of SA's benchmark whites, the 2020 Rall White pips the much-lauded Ava Chenin at the post with its complexity and masterful winemaking. Settled in its style, the 2020 has loads of fragrance balanced by a mineral-backed, crystalline acidity.

The 2019 Rall Red is the most-improved wine in the line-up. Following on from the more serious 2018, it offers fruit density, supported by ripe tannins that are Cornas-like and focused in their power, all the while being fresh and vibrant. It's an impressive release and one for the cellar.

Rall White 2020

Rall,
White 2020

R 320
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Rall Red 2019

Rall,
Red 2019

R 320
Order online >

The 2020 Grenache Blanc is a great expression of the Piekenierskloof terroir. With lots of fruit weight, vibrant acidity and a low 12.5% alc., Donovan quips, 'this is where I want this wine!' It is just delicious in this vintage.

From a very small vineyard in Wellington, the 2020 Cinsault Blanc (which started as an experiment and is the only rendition of this variety in SA) is the purest expression so far. It is light with impressive fruit and vinosity. Only one amphora was produced.

The 2020 Cinsault has an added level of complexity with savoury notes balancing out the pretty and pure fruit. Sadly, it is very limited this vintage.

Rall Grenache Blanc 2020

Rall,
Grenache Blanc 2020

R 255
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Rall Cinsault Blanc 2020

Rall,
Cinsault Blanc 2020

R 255
Order online >

Rall Cinsault 2020

Rall,
Cinsault 2020

R 255
Order online >

Rall releases

Rall,
New 2020 releases

View all &
Order online >

On allocation

The 2020 Ava Chenin Blanc is just amazing and vies with the 2020 White for title of 'Best White' this year. From schist soils, it has incredible fruit concentration with a beautiful, fine line of acidity. The 2020 Ava Syrah is of the highest quality and one of the finest Syrahs in SA. Wonderful aromatics lead to a refined and sophisticated palate. From schist soils in the Swartland, it is pure class!

Due to scarcity, the Ava releases are sold on allocation only. Email me to make a request.

 
Free delivery on orders over R 1,500. View delivery charges.
 

Reply to this email or visit our website to place your order online.

Place your order online

Vinous regards,

James Pietersen

Tasting notes

Rall, White 2020

'64% Chenin Blanc, 32% Verdelho and 4% Viognier. The nose of this vintage is rather exotic with notes of pineapple and other tropical fruit to go with pear, peach, citrus, herbs and spice. The palate possesses great fruit density but also freshness – the acidity is high without being hard or angular. Lots going on in terms of flavour, the finish long and dry.'Christian Eedes, Winemag, 95/100

Rall, Red 2019

'65% Syrah, 13% Grenache, 13% Cinsault and 9% Carignan. The nose is particularly expressive with notes of red and black berries, cured meat, lavender, herbs and pepper while the palate is rich and flavourful but equally not short of freshness – a bit less foursquare than preceding vintages have tended to be. Complex and satisfying.'Christian Eedes, Winemag, 94/100

Rall, Grenache Blanc 2020

'Grapes from Piekenierskloof. Matured in a combination of concrete egg and amphora. Some struck match reduction before citrus, peach and herbs on the nose while the palate is wonderfully vivid – great fruit concentration and punchy acidity before a pithy finish. Impressive presence and intensity of flavour.'Christian Eedes, Winemag, 95/100

Rall, Cinsault Blanc 2020

'Matured in a clay amphora for 10 months. The nose is shy but subtle notes of citrus, peach and hay can be detected. The palate is better balanced than previous vintages – good fruit definition and freshness. Relatively broad with nice texture and plenty of flavour. No longer an oddity, this vintage possesses proper vinosity.'Christian Eedes, Winemag, 91/100

Rall, Cinsault 2020

'60% of the grapes from Darling and 40% from Swartland, 100% whole-bunch fermented. Aromatics of red cherry, pomegranate, fresh herbs and a hint of earth. The palate is light and pretty with well delineated fruit, snappy acidity and crunchy tannins. Neatly done with a nice energy about it.'Christian Eedes, Winemag, 91/100

Rall, Ava Chenin Blanc 2020

'From vineyards planted on schist. The nose is distinctive in showing pronounced notes of hay and herbs as well as citrus and white peach while the palate has lovely purity of fruit to go with invigorating acidity – it's a super-elegant and precise wine, possessing wonderful tension.'Christian Eedes, Winemag, 97/100

Rall, Ava Syrah 2020

'From two Swartland vineyards on schist. Sensational aromatics of red and black berries, all sorts of flowers (rose, lavender and lilies), herbs, pepper and spice while the palate shows exquisite refinement – great fruit definition, lemon-like acidity and powdery tannins. Wonderful structure with all the various elements in just about perfect harmony. Plenty of flavour intensity without being at all heavy, this is a very sophisticated offering.'Christian Eedes, Winemag, 98/100

What's new?

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