Grenache Blanc, 2023

Name: Grenache Blanc
Brand: Rall Wines
Price: 139.93 GBP

Available Vintages

all 2021 2022 2023 2024

justerini & brooks tasting note

Donovan laments that “we don’t have old Grenache Blanc in South Africa. The oldest Grenache Blanc I knew of was 42 years old, but it was pulled out before I could get my hands on it.” A variety that Donovan excels with, he prefers to work with concrete to encourage a little reduction on this otherwise oxidative variety. An unoaked Grenache Blanc, bottled after six months to preserve freshness, raised in concrete eggs and a tiny amount in amphora.

critic reviews

93/100Monica Larner,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Showing a luminous straw-gold color, the Rall 2023 Piekenierskloof Grenache Blanc comes from own-rooted vines at 600 to 650 meters above sea level. Donovan Roll gets half of a three-hectare parcel. The wine sees a natural ferment in concrete eggs. It is blended and bottled eight months later. It delivers a medium-plus texture and pretty fruit weight with soft tropical notes, white flower, papaya and quince. Vintner Donovan Rall likes to experiment with eggs, barrels and amphorae, but he especially likes the effects of the convection motion inside the concrete eggs. He racks with a lot of lees. Sandstone soils help to develop that richness that you feel in the mouth. Production is exactly 5,652 bottles.

DRINKING WINDOW 2025 - 2030

date of review 06/2025

89/100Neal Martin,Vinous

Sourced from circa ten-year-old vines, the 2023 Grenache Blanc matured in concrete eggs. It has a tightly wound bouquet that just needs to open up a bit. The palate is ripe on the entry with fine acidity, displaying pear and light mandarin note, though it doesn't quite kick on toward the finish. Maybe afford this a year or two in bottle to see if it has more up its sleeve.

DRINKING WINDOW 2024 - 2031

date of review 09/2024