Donovan Rall
Rall Concrete Syrah 2023
"This 3 release of the Syrah made from one of the schist vineyards used for the Ava, was picked early, fermented naturally with 100% whole bunches and aged only in concrete to preserve the primary fruit and crunchy tannins of Syrah grown on these soils.
Even with a modest alc of only 12.5% this wine has a beautiful gripping structure, savoury palate and very expressive nose of fynbos, meat and dark spices. 4844 bottles produced" - Winemaker's notes
Rall Red 2022 Magnum
"Purple and red fruit, herbs, olives and white pepper from the whole-bunch fermentation with a clean focused palate. 100% Whole bunch fermented and matured in a combination of 3000 liter foudre, concrete and old French oak for 10 months before being bottled unfined and lightly filtered and then given a Further 18 months bottle maturation before release. This red wine will drink well now but should no doubt reward patience and only gain drinkability and complexity over the next decade or more." - Winemaker's notes
Rall White 2023 Magnum
"This blend of Chenin Blanc 71%, Verdelho 26% and Viognier 3% that started it all for Rall wines back in 2008 now already in its 16th vintage remains the cornerstone of what we do. No other wine in the portfolio has achieved the level of consistency year on year over the last decade or so and this 2023 is no differnet.
Even after 7 consecutive 5 star Platters ratings this wine I believe is another step up. Grapes are still grown mainly in the ancient granitic soils of the Paardeberg and now also contains a big portion of fruit from the oldest vineyard we work with planted in 1969. All components are fermented naturally and matured separately in a combination of 2000 litre foudre, seasoned small French oak, concrete eggs and amphora before blending and bottling after 10 months with minimal filtration." - Winemaker's notes
Rall Grenache Blanc 2023
"From 2 vineyards in this vintage predominantly the same high altitude bush vines from Piekenierskloof and another vineyard grown on schist.
In the cellar the grapes were whole-bunch pressed and transferred without settling straight to 2 concrete eggs for fermentation and maturation. This vintage has more texture than recent years, flintiness and a touch of reduction typical of early harvested grapes fermented in concrete. As always bottled early after only 8 months to preserve the freshness of this wine. 5652 bottles produced" - Winemaker's notes
Rall Cinsault 2023
"Now mainly from Darling old vines planted in 1982 and grown on iron rich clay soils. Semi-carbonic fermentation occurs naturally using 100% whole-bunches before aging for 8 months in 3000 liter Foudre and older small French oak barrels. The 2023 has lots of layers and some beautiful red fruit with crunchy, coated tannins from the stems and fresh acidity to bring the balance. No doubt our most serious Cinsault offering to date." - Winemaker's notes
Rall Red 2022
"Purple and red fruit, herbs, olives and white pepper from the whole-bunch fermentation with a clean focused palate. 100% Whole bunch fermented and matured in a combination of 3000 liter foudre, concrete and old French oak for 10 months before being bottled unfined and lightly filtered and then given a Further 18 months bottle maturation before release.
This red wine will drink well now but should no doubt reward patience and only gain drinkability and complexity over the next decade or more." - Winemaker's notes
Rall White 2023
"This blend of Chenin Blanc 71%, Verdelho 26% and Viognier 3% that started it all for Rall wines back in 2008 now already in its 16th vintage remains the cornerstone of what we do. No other wine in the portfolio has achieved the level of consistency year on year over the last decade or so and this 2023 is no differnet.
Even after 7 consecutive 5 star Platters ratings this wine I believe is another step up. Grapes are still grown mainly in the ancient granitic soils of the Paardeberg and now also contains a big portion of fruit from the oldest vineyard we work with planted in 1969. All components are fermented naturally and matured separately in a combination of 2000 litre foudre, seasoned small French oak, concrete eggs and amphora before blending and bottling after 10 months with minimal filtration." - Winemaker's notes