Rhône theme
Timed Online Auction, 30 January - 10 February 2025
Rhône - South Africa
About the SessionOver the past decade South African Rhône-style offerings have witnessed an explosion in popularity, led by the Swartland in the 2010s and subsequently spreading across the Cape.
About this Item
Donovan Rall is one of SA’s finest, most exciting winemakers and one of the young driving forces behind the South African fine wine revolution. In 2008, it all started with a bang when his first Rall White was awarded a coveted Platter’s 5-Star. Since then, Donovan’s wines have continued on an unbelievable upward trajectory. His philosophy is a simple hands-off approach, with each parcel allowed to mature and ferment naturally in order to reflect the character of each vineyard. He produces some of SA’s most sought-after wines including the stellar AVA single-vineyard wines, selling on allocation around the world.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
'The Rall red blend is a cuvée of mostly Syrah (from the Mullineux’ Roundstone property) with Grenache and a little Cinsaut. Aged in old wood, it has 50% whole bunches and plenty of acidity and structure. Dense and quite firm, with savoury, peppery tannins, it needs more time in bottle. 2019-27.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 95/100
'The 2015 Red Blend from Donovan Rall is a blend of 80% Syrah, 15% Grenache and for the first time, 5% Cinsault, with 100% whole bunch. Deep in color, it has a very well-defined bouquet with ebullient dark cherry, red plum and bergamot aromas, that trait of melted asphalt surfacing with continued aeration. The palate is medium-bodied (again) with slightly tarry red fruit, the stem addition neatly integrated, a bitter cherry note towards the structured finish and a prolonged black pepper aftertaste. It feels broodier, more introspective than previous vintages, which Donovan suggests might be because of the iron content in the vineyard. It deserves 3-4 years in bottle, if you can wait.' - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (April 2017)
'Donovan Rall has been one of the most consistent winemakers in South Africa in recent years, his wines quite rightly lauded. Despite the adulation, he has kept his feet on the ground but never a man to rest on his laurels, he told me that he is gradually moving away from oak and using more concrete vats, including some amphorae that he is currently testing on his Chardonnay. Donovan's wines are exemplary, full of character and complexity, and given the price you would have to search high and wide for better value.' - Neal Martin
'Some darkly sweet notes & dried herbs add a slight, welcome sombreness to aromatic introduction to 2015 from Syrah & 12% Grenache. Warm generosity balanced by enough freshness & a firm tannic grip. Notably deeper & more complex than the Cinsault. Certified by Swartland Independent.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5* (95/100)
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