Red, 2023
The Rall Red always sees an extra year in bottle to help the tannins resolve. 70% Syrah 12% Grenache 10% Carignan and 8% Cinsault raised in used French oak. A typical Rhone blend. The 2021, from a cooler vintage, has exquisite balance. Finely tuned red fruits with a snap of pepper and clove and fynbos, the core of lush dark fruit never overwhelms. A beautiful wine, this is the first vintage where some of the “Ava” fruit made its way in to the blend. Approximately 80% of the wine comes from Schist vineyards.
critic reviews
The Rall 2023 Swartland Red is a blend of 71% Syrah, 17% Grenache, 8% Carignan and 4% Cinsault that tells the broader story of place rather than focusing on single sites. Tarry and savory, it carries a meaty depth largely shaped by fruit grown on schist soils, which provide concentration and structure. Aging takes place mainly in foudre, with 20% concrete for one Syrah portion and smaller oak barrels for other components, with partial submerged cap fermentation and gentle pump-overs. The 2023 vintage is notably aromatic with slightly less structure than 2024, reflecting the growing seasons conditions that saw more rain.
The 2023 Red is 100% whole bunch fermented and aged in older oak barrels. This sprints out of the glass with brambly black fruit, white pepper and light violet scents that are supremely well-defined and bursting with character. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins and layers of black fruit, but it retains wonderful elegance, with a touch of clove and Five Spice on the finish. Superb.