White, 2021

Donovan’s flagship wine, the Rall White 2021 is comprised of 68% Chenin, 28% Verdelho and 4% Viognier reflecting the continued pursuit of precise, ageworthy whites. In the early days it was all about more texture, inspired by Eben Sadie’s Palladius, but since 2017 Donovan has stripped back the blend, omitting Chardonnay for example, in favour of a tighter acidity and more stony, mineral complexity. All the components are aged separately, in 500L barrels for the Verdelho and Viognier and used barrique for the Chenin. No new oak is employed at all. The 2021 has a cleansing feel to it, with notes of salted-citrus, cut apples, stones and full, shimmering finish.