Chenin Blanc, Ava, 2024
Offering up lots of bright yellow fruit and savoury tones, Donovan notes that he’s “never had a vintage that shows so much hay from the beginning.” So intense and complex. Polished and complete but also deeply mineral and honest. Fermented and aged in small, neutral barrels, total production is just 1,300bts.
critic reviews
The Rall 2024 Swartland Chenin Blanc Ava reflects a shift in harvest timing to achieve a tighter and more focused profile. Oxidation is remarkably stable in this vintage, giving the wine a restrained and controlled expression that will require time to evolve. Gorgeous yet currently reserved, it promises depth beneath its quiet exterior. The decomposed granite soils of Swartland often yield Chenin Blancs with both breadth and structure, yet in this case, the wine is deliberately held back, emphasizing tension over immediate generosity. The Noa is more showy at this stage, but Ava needs more bottle time to fully realize its beautiful potential.
The 2024 Chenin Ava is naturally fermented and aged in 400-litre older French oak. This has a delectable bouquet with lanolin, walnut and light dried honey aromas that blossom in the glass. Fine delineation. The palate is very well balanced with ample weight, gorgeous waxy texture, with an assiduous dash of spice on the finish. It displays just the right amount of tension and sapidity to have you going back for more.