Cinsault, 2022

Formerly dismissed as a blending grape, this straight Cinsault is what we call “Rall’s Riposte”. When picked early and worked gently, Cinsault offers delicious, playful fruits and lots of aroma, with more than enough substance to stand on its own. Donovan likes to think of it as his version of Gamay. From two parcels, one in the Swartland and one in Darling, the Swartland component brings structure and Darling the perfume (he shares this with Duncan Savage for his “Follow the Line”). Whole bunch fermentation on the Darling and 50% on the Swartland, the 2022 is majority Darling fruit, and it has a ripe, sweet-fruited nature. Darker berries, currants and plum with earthbound spice, it has a more baritone style in 2022.