Rall new releases

Donovan Rall says he’s “stoked” with the quality the 2024 vintage delivered. “It was non-stop – no wait-and-see moments – but we’ve faced similar seasons before, and we were on it.” While the 2024 wines are undeniably excellent, it’s his 2023 red blend – always held back an extra year – that truly captivates. “It’s taken me 17 years, but I believe I’ve finally nailed it,” he says.

Cinsault Blanc 2024
Price: R300
Grapes from Wellington. Matured for seven months in older 225-litre barrels. Hints of floral perfume and peach on the nose while the palate broad and textured rather than overtly fruity. More vinous, less of an oddity with each passing vintage. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Grenache Blanc 2024
Price: R300
Grapes from Piekenierskloof. Matured for 10 months in concrete egg. Pear, peach, herbs, and white pepper on the nose. The palate is linear with pure fruit and lively, mouth-watering acidity, the finish dry and persistent. Supremely elegant and focused. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

White 2024
Price: R395
69% Chenin Blanc, 29% Verdelho, 2% Viognier. Matured in a combination of older barrels, foudre and concrete egg. A touch of flinty reduction precedes notes of citrus, floral perfume, herbs, and a hint of talcum powder. The palate is substantial, with dense fruit and a creamy texture that stops short of being overdone. Vibrant acidity lends drive, while the finish is savoury and dry. Somewhat unresolved right now but should become more harmonious in the next year or two. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Noa Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R580
Grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard on granite. Matured for 10 months in concrete egg. Intriguing aromatics of citrus, stone fruit, a touch of melon and a slight waxy note. The palate impresses with both its density and poise – excellent fruit concentration, silky texture, well integrated acidity and a savoury finish. Powerful yet full of verve. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Ava Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R580
Grapes from vineyards on schist. Matured for 11 months in foudre. The nose opens with top notes of hay and herbs, followed by pear, peach, and citrus. The palate is strikingly pure, with vivid fruit expression, bright acidity, and a pithy, remarkably long finish. An elegant, impeccably controlled wine. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Red 2023
Price: R395
71% Syrah, 17% Grenache, 8% Carignan, 4% Cinsault. Matured for 11 months in a combination of small oak, foudre and concrete eggs. Super-expressive aromatics of red and black berries, fynbos, cured meat and pepper. The palate walks the line between precision and power – pure fruit, bright acidity and immaculate tannins, these being fine and densely packed, present but unobtrusive. An extraordinarily well proportioned, graceful wine.

CE’s rating: 98/100.

Cinsault 2024
Price: R300
Grapes from Darling and Paardeberg. 100% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured in a combination of 300-litre barrels and foudre. Cherry, cranberry, and raspberry with a subtle hint of fynbos on the nose. The palate is elegant but not insubstantial – pristine fruit, bright acidity, and powdery tannins lead into a gently savoury finish. Offers plenty of drinking pleasure. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Grenache 2024
Price: R300
NEW. Grapes from Swartland. Matured in older 300-litre barrels. Heady, arresting aromatics of black berries, flowers, pronounced fynbos, earth, and spice. The palate is notably dense – more so than many local counterparts – balanced by fresh acidity and grippy tannins, the finish is deeply savoury. Immensely characterful, yet sappy and cohesively structured throughout. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Syrah 2024
Price: R300
Gorgeous aromatics with a top note of violets before dark berries, aniseed, earth and spice. The palate is strikingly unadulterated and raw – concentrated fruit, punchy acidity and firm tannins, the finish deeply savoury. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Ava Syrah 2024
Price: R700
Alluring aromatics of red and black berries, rose, fynbos, liquorice, cured meat and white pepper while the palate is medium-bodied and vital with fine tannins, the finish long and dry. A beautifully judged wine with plenty of finesse. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 97/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.