Rall new releases

In these troubled times, wine provides solace and what solace to be had from the new releases from Donovan Rall. Tasting notes and ratings as follows (prices to be confirmed):

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.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

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.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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.

CE’s rating: 97/100.

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.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

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.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

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.

CE’s rating: 98/100.

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