Rall new releases

Donovan Rall describes the 2023 vintage as “stop-start” and hence one that required careful calculation. Once again, he’s produced a spectacular set of wines. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Rall Cinsault Blanc 2023
Price: R295
Grapes from a tiny block in Wellington. Matured for seven months in older 300-litre barrels. Floral perfume, white peach and citrus on the nose. The palate is tightly wound with a great line of acidity and pithy texture, the finish nicely salty. The most vinosity of any release to date. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Rall Grenache Blanc 2023
Price: R295
Including grapes from Swartland property Kloovenburg on schist as well as 15% undergoing skin contact to achieve more texture and interest. A hint of flinty reduction before peach, apricot and pineapple. Rich and concentrated on the palate with tangy acidity and a savoury finish. Great depth of flavour. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Rall White 2023
Price: R375
71% Chenin Blanc, 26% Verdelho and 3% Viognier. Matured for 10 months in a combination of concrete egg, foudre and older barrels. Subtle and alluring aromatics of pear, peach, citrus, fynbos and again a touch of reduction while the palate is relatively lean and tense – very pure and focussed, the finish long and dry. A wine of great refinement. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Noa Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R550
Grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard on granite. Matured in concrete egg. Compelling and strikingly distinct aromatics of pear, peach and lime plus some flinty reduction while the palate is wonderfully well delineated with zesty acidity and a super-dry finish. Linear, taut and absolutely mouth-watering. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Ava Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R550
Grapes from vineyards on schist. Matured in older barrel. Peach, orange, straw and ginger plus some leesy complexity. The palate is super-rich: dense fruit, coated acidity, the finish savoury and slightly grippy.  Layers of flavour.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Cinsault 2023
Price: R295
75% of grapes from Darling, 25% from Swartland, the former whole-bunch fermented and the latter destemmed. Matured in foudre. Gorgeous aromatics of raspberry, red cherry, flowers and herbs. The palate is vivid and vital, light-bodied but beautifully structured and wonderfully energetic. Entirely avoids the triviality that this variety can sometimes have. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Rall Red 2022
78% Syrah, 12% Grenache, 7% Carignan and 3% Cinsault – always a later release. A smoky top note before red and black berries, fynbos, cured meat and spice. The palate is relatively broad with lemon-like acidity and powdery tannins, the finish gently savoury. Well balanced and already quite approachable. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Rall Syrah 2023
Price: R295
Grapes from a Swartland vineyard on schist and matured in concrete. Entirely irresistible aromatics of dark berries, olive, roast meat, blood orange, earth and fynbos, clove and coriander. Dense fruit, arresting acidity and uncompromisingly grippy tannins. A wine that makes a huge impression without trading off alcohol (this being 12.5%) or sweetness. 4 844 bottles produced – get in!

CE’s rating: 97/100.

Ava Syrah 2023
Price: R675
Again from vineyards on schist. Matured in older 300-litre barrels. Red and black berries, rose, lavender, fynbos, cured meat and white pepper. The palate is super-elegant with pure fruit, fresh acidity and very fine, densely packed tannins. Poised and precise. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

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