Rall new releases

How rewarding it has been to follow Donovan Rall’s evolution since his debut in 2008. He started at a very high level, yet has steadily found ways to add ever greater precision and refinement, with the 2025s generally masterful.

Grenache Blanc 2025
Price: R340
The nose is still very primary and fragrant, showing floral perfume, citrus and peach. The palate is rich and fruit-pure, with a creamy texture, well-integrated acidity and a savoury finish. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 94 | Luxurious

White 2025
Price: R400
70% Chenin Blanc, 25% Verdelho (Stellenbosch), 5% Viognier. A subtle yet alluring nose of pear, peach, citrus, flowers and herbs, with a faint trace of beeswax. The palate is lean and focused, driven by sherbet-like acidity and a pithy, persistent finish. Tightly wound, nervy and concentrated with no excess weight. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 97 | Serious

Noa Chenin Blanc 2025
R600
Grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard on granite. Subtle aromatics of pear, lime, lemon, green apple and some flinty reduction. A paradox of a wine being simultaneously rich yet also pure and direct with a super-dry, even bitter finish. Urgent and relentless in its drive. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 97 | Distinctive

Ava Chenin Blanc 2025
R600
Grapes from vineyards on schist. Peach, orange, hay, a hint of ginger and some yeasty complexity on the nose. The palate shows notable fruit weight and a creamy texture, and well-integrated acidity. Demonstrative, even voluptuous. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 96 | Luxurious

Cinsault 2025
Price: R340
Grapes from Darling and Paardeberg. Seductive aromatics of red cherry, plum, orange, lavender and fynbos. The palate is exuberant combining succulent fruit with bright acidity and lightly crunchy tannins, the finish dry but not astringent. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 95 | Delicious

Grenache 2025
The palate shows dense fruit and fresh acidity, underpinned by notable tannic grip through the finish. Structured and even quite imposing, more robust than many local examples. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 94 | Serious

Syrah Ceres Plateau 2025
Price: R340
NEW. Red berries, orange, cured meat, pomegranate and white pepper on the nose. The palate is light-bodied and elegant with snappy acidity and powdery, super-fine tannins, the finish persistent. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 94 | Classic

Syrah 2025
Price: R340
Black cherry, olive, lavender and black pepper on the nose. The palate is forceful and full of character, with concentrated fruit, fresh acidity and firm, grippy tannins. A rustic, pedal-to-the-metal expression of the variety. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 95 | Distinctive

Ava Syrah 2025
Price: R790
Cranberry, raspberry, olive, orange, floral perfume, cinnamon and pepper on the nose. The palate is exquisite, defined by refinement and poise. Striking fruit purity, cohesive and weightless in feel, with lively acidity and ultra-fine tannins. The finish is remarkably long. The most restrained and precise vintage of this extraordinary wine to date. Alc: 13%

CE’s rating: 99 | Serious

Red 2024
Price: R400
80% Syrah, 9% Grenache, 6% Cinsault, 5% Carignan. Red and black berries, flowers, herbs, wilted rose, liquorice and earth on the nose. The palate is bold – big fruit, big acidity, big tannins, the finish austere. Super-tasty if a little rustic. Alc: 13%

CE’s rating: 94 | Serious

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