Dear *|FNAME|*,

Rockstar winemaker Donovan Rall has released a set of wines that he describes as nervous, energetic and 'tucked in'. The wines are fresh, with the excellent 2021 vintage offering vibrant natural acidities and greater fruit weight, but at lower alcohols. These are some of the most sought-after South African wines.

The Rall White 2021 is a well-established SA white benchmark. Accomplished in 2021, it's a Chenin-based blend, of which 20% is raised in concrete and the rest matured in old barrels. The wine has layers of flavours, including dried pineapple, lemon verbena, and preserved lemon. A lovely texture ensues, leading to a mineral and pithy finish.

The Rall Red 2020 is all Southern Rhône tannic power. Brilliantly realised, it maintains its freshness and dry, grippy finish. The 2020 is Syrah-based with dark fruit that mingles with crushed stone, damp earth and granitic tannins. Serious and persistent.

The Cinsault Blanc 2021 is crisp and lively, in a salty, aperitif style. Raised in amphorae and with only 11.5% alcohol, this extremely limited wine is the only Cinsault Blanc produced in the world!

The Cinsault 2021 is a blend of 50% Darling and 50% Swartland fruit, partially whole-bunch pressed with characteristic rose petal, potpourri, exotic spice aromatics and a crunchy, mineral palate. Fermented in concrete and raised in old white wine barrels, the Cinsault has settled in its exciting style.

From the same Kasteelberg vineyard as the AVA Syrah is the new addition to the range – the Syrah 2021. Seeing concrete only, it has a deep, dark-fruited nose, with meat spice, nutmeg, clove, and mineral notes that lead to a vibrant palate with firm, dry tannins.

ALLOCATION WINES

Due to the limited availability and scarcity of the Grenache Blanc and the AVA and NOA wines, the wines below are available on allocation only. Please contact lauren@winecellar.co.za to request an allocation.

The Grenache Blanc 2021 is mostly from old bush-vine fruit in Piekenierskloof, with the addition of one 500-litre barrel from a Swartland vineyard grown on schist, which adds more structure. Shy and subtle to start, green pineapple notes lead to richer white stone fruit and a crunchy, bright, linear palate with a chalky, bone-dry finish. Chiselled and defined.

A second new addition to the range is the NOA Chenin Blanc 2021. What a wine! The vineyard was planted in the 1960s on granite soils. Raised in concrete only, it is visceral, saline, and elegant, showing subtle notes of hay, lemon/lime, and white florals, with a juicy and savoury palate.

The AVA Chenin Blanc 2021 is once again an amazing wine. From schist soils, it has an opulent fragrance complemented by yellow fruit, nougat, ground almond, and honeysuckle notes. The palate is taut and precise with a pithy finish.

The AVA Syrah 2021 is from two vineyards. It has a captivating nose with an array of Northern Rhône aromatics, including spice, citrus, and florals. The linear, energetic tannins linger on and on. This is one of the finest Syrahs from the Swartland.

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

Vinous regards,

Tasting notes

Rall, Red 2020

'70% Syrah, 12% Grenache, 10% Carignan and 8% Cinsault. Red and black berries, fynbos, pepper and spice on the nose. The palate combines weight with freshness and fine tannins and the wine generally has a coherence about it that previous vintages might have lacked. The depth of fruit and smoothness of tannin are most sophisticated, and the clarity of winemaking vision has to be admired.' – 95/100, Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za

Rall, White 2021

'68% Chenin Blanc, 28% Verdelho and 4% Viognier. The nose is quite open and expressive with notes of pear, peach, quince, citrus and yellow apple plus a little spice while the palate is rich and broad with seemingly quite moderate acidity – the wine is nicely resolved and hence already remarkably accessible.' – 94/100, Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za

Rall, Cinsault Blanc 2021

'Grapes from a 0.2ha Wellington vineyard and “the only example in the world” of a wine from this variety. Subtle notes of pear, peach, and citrus on the nose while the palate is modest in the best sense – not without freshness, some grippy texture and a gently saline finish.' – 89/100, Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za

Rall, Cinsault 2021

'Grapes are sourced equally from Darling and Swartland, the former component undergoing 100% whole-bunch fermentation and the latter 50%. Extravagant and very pretty aromatics of rose, potpourri, red and black cherry, olive and fynbos. The palate is light-bodied and beautifully balanced – pure fruit, racy acidity and powdery tannins before a salty finish.' – 93/100, Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za

Rall, Syrah 2021

'NEW. From a Swartland vineyard on schist, winemaking involves 50% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting eight months in concrete eggs. Lovely fruit purity, bright acidity and fine tannins, the finish intensely dry. Really nicely observed and great quality relative to price.' – 93/100, Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za

Rall, Grenache Blanc 2021

'Grapes predominantly from Piekenierskloof but now also including a small portion from a Swartland vineyard on schist. Some struck-match reduction before peach, citrus and pineapple while the palate is wonderfully lean and direct – impressive fruit density to go with a cracking line of acidity before a bone-dry finish. Pure and focused.' – 96/100, Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za

Rall, NOA Chenin Blanc 2021

'NEW. Grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard planted in the late 1960s on granite. Dramatic aromatics with top notes of flowers and herbs before lime, lemon and naartjie plus hints of ginger and other spice. The palate has great fruit expression and plenty of zippy acidity. Loads of flavour before a long, dry finish. This has a vinosity about it with the perfect amount of weight and texture.' – 97/100, Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za

Rall, Ava Chenin Blanc 2021

'Grapes from Swartland vineyards planted on schist. The nose shows some flinty reduction before orange and yellow peach with hints of straw and honeysuckle in the background. Great presence in the mouth – this has a Corton Charlemagne-like opulence about it. Powerful but equally entirely harmonious, the acidity well integrated and the finish gently savoury.' – 96/100, Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za

Rall, Ava Syrah 2021

'Grapes from two Swartland vineyards on schist. 100% whole-bunch fermentation. Stunning aromatics of red and black berries, olive, floral perfume, a hint of musk, pepper and spice while the palate is tremendously well structure with great clarity of fruit, bright acidity and firm yet fine tannins. Compelling now yet built to last at least a decade from now. Sublime stuff.' – 98/100, Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za

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