2018
75cl
DP
£27.41
vintage
portfolio
2018
75cl
DP
£27.41
2019
75cl
DP
£27.41
2019
6x75cl
DP
£164.42
2020
6x75cl
DP
£164.42
2021
75cl
DP
£27.41
2021
6x75cl
DP
£164.42
As always, the Rall Red is held back an extra year in bottle prior to release as it is the more structured of the reds. 70% Syrah 12% Grenache 10% Carignan and 8% Cinsault. This release sees the lowest proportion of Syrah to date, as from 2017 onwards he introduced Cinsault and Carignan to blend, as earlier picked varieties to help balance the naturally higher levels of concentration due to the drought. “I see this as a more Southern Rhône style red this year.” Ripe, brambly forest fruit, mint, spice, red plum and blackcurrant are just some of the fruits here in the generous 2018, before some leathery spice and earthier notes begin to emerge too. Less tannic than the 2017 perhaps but with a fruitier character, chock full of interest. All Swartland fruit. The Syrah is sourced from Roundstone and Papkuilfontein, which are significant properties in the region.
Donovan Rall is one of the key figures in South Africa’s explosive New Wave movement. One of the original “garagista” producers in the Swartland, Donovan can now proudly say that he makes some of the most highly sought-after wines in the country. Well-travelled, affable, and ambitious, he trained at the University of Stellenbosch in viticulture and enology with David Sadie, amongst others, then worked in wineries across Europe and Australia before returning to South Africa in 2007. There he joined Eben Sadie as an assistant winemaker but in the space of a year, he had six barrels tucked away under his own name, and the inaugural Rall White was born. An immediate critical success, Donovan struck out on his own and he has not looked back, still buying up small parcels of top-quality fruit, contracting vineyards, and strengthening his reputation as a master blender. Over time he has fine-tuned his own winemaking style towards fresher, more vivid wines, and the wines have never looked better. Fermentations are natural and spontaneous with no interventions, and aging takes place in various vessels including concrete, cask and amphora depending on the variety. Primarily Swartland based, Donovan also takes prime fruit from the Piekenierskloof, Darling and Stellenbosch regions, and consults on various projects around the country.
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