Syrah, Ava, 2024
One of South Africa’s most accomplished and celebrated Syrahs, Ava comes from incredibly low yielding schist parcels in the Swartland, between Kasteelberg and Porseleinberg. Dark and brooding with mineral rich olive tapenade, the 2024 is long, serious and densely packed – absolutely full of character. Remarkable, again, that this can be achieved at just 12.5% alcohol. Aged for a year in used French oak cask.
critic reviews
The Rall 2024 Swartland Syrah draws inspiration from some of the worlds great Syrahs, embracing an almost raw character with slight green tannins and primary black fruit. Fermented with whole clusters and divided between submerged cap and pump-over methods, the wine ages for nine to 10 months to preserve vitality. It is muscular and contoured with broad shoulders and firm tannins that will benefit from additional time in bottle. Swartlands warm days moderated by cooling evening breezes allow Syrah to achieve ripeness while retaining savory edge and structural backbone.
The 2024 Syrah Ava comes from schist soils that crop at just one or two tons per hectare. It is 100% whole bunch fermented and aged in 3,000-litre foudre. It is blessed with a stunning nose, with perfumed black fruit, crushed violet, Provençal herbs, wild heather and thyme. Brilliant delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, with a mellifluous entry, concentrated and silky smooth, layers of pure blackberry and bilberry fruit, with a precise and persistent finish. It will need two or three years in bottle, but it will be worth the wait.