Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

2012:
‘Light nose initially and then builds into the most beautiful, intriguing, appetising blend. No strong varietal character but lots of terroir character. This is a hugely serious wine that is if anything underpriced. And I don't often write that. It reminds me of a rather more honeyed version of Le Soula. Stunning. Wonderful undertow. Long and rich but extremely tense. I love it!’ – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Jun 2014)

‘Less fireworks, more refinement on 2012. A naturally fermented, older-oaked blend of 50% chenin, rest verdelho, chardonnay, viognier from Swartland & Stellenbosch. Subtle white & yellow fruit but also yeasty, earthy notes before a briny finish. Something to savour.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2014, 5*

2014:
'Super, silky, naturally fermented blend Chenin, Verdelho, Chardonnay & Viognier from Swartland & Stellenbosch. 14 has mineral texture & depth, with astounding balance, surreal length of flavour. Supportive older oak & seamless acid spine underlie poise in a salty-tang finish. – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2015, 4.5*

'Rall's 2014 White Blend, made up of Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Verdelho, has a very closed nose that needed considerable aeration before it deigned itself with its presence. Subtle resinous notes, yellow flowers and a hint of dried honey eventually emerges. The palate is fresh and crisp with a light viscous texture, with the acidity perfectly judged and underpinning a subtle passion fruit-tinged finish, which is utterly irresistible and so nuanced. This is another outstanding drop of fermented grape juice from Donovan Rall.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Nov 2015)

2015:
‘Hint of gunflint and struck match on the nose, dried gorse. Much less tropical than his Vuurberg wine – more white pepper and savoury and tobacco leaf and sage. An almost Old World elegance. Understated complexity, tight knit, achingly long. A wine that you don't want to unravel but you also don't want to rush (or drink with anyone). If anyone is snapping at the heels of Eben Sadie, it's Donovan Rall.’ – Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Mar 2017)

‘Super-silky, naturally fermented blend chenin, verdelho, chardonnay & viognier from Swartland & Stellenbosch. Vibrant 2015’s peachy generosity is perfectly balanced by mineral texture, older oak & seamless acid spine. Finishes with mouthwatering salty tang.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5*

‘Donovan Rall has a compelling new wine in the form of a Grenache Blanc 2015. Grapes come from a Piekenierskloof ungrafted vineyard some 15 years old and juice underwent spontaneous fermentation, a portion on the skins and maturation lasting six months in a combination of concrete egg and old oak. The wine has a complex and evocative nose of citrus, white peach, dried herbs, ginger and spice. The palate is, in a word, vivid. Extraordinary fruit purity, driving acidity and a pithy, almost bitter finish. It’s one of those bottlings which are entirely uplifting to drink.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100 (Apr 2016)

2019:
‘Generosity of warm Swartland, freshness of cooler Stellenbosch combine in complex 2019. Chenin and Verdelho (68/28) with drop Viognier deliver aromatic breadth; ripe stonefruit, earthy tones and floral nuance; limy, greengage zest enhance tension, texture and long sweet-fruit finish. Memorable. Wholebunch, older-oak ferment and ageing, 10% of Chenin in concrete.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (96/100)

'Showing its highest-ever levels of acidity, this brilliant blend uses fruit from seven vineyards and is a cuvée of mostly Chenin Blanc with 28% Verdelho and 4% Viognier. Floral, leesy and complex with wonderful harmony and palate depth, notes of aniseed, pear and beeswax and racy minerality. One of the Cape's best blended whites. 2021-29.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 96/100

'Pale gold. Complex nose with seriously fresh acidity and a nose that really could be described as a bouquet of floral aromas. Plus the tang of true, old-vine Chenin Blanc and the promise of a long life. Seems underpriced for the probity of intention and promise of ageability. It would seem a shame to drink this before 2021 and possibly even before 2022. Some fashionable light bitterness on the end.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Sept 2020)