I tried a selection of Donovan Rall wines last month. For those unfamiliar, Rall is based in Swartland, South Africa. The reds tasted below are sourced entirely from Swartland, while the fruit for the whites is sourced from different Cape regions.
All the wines were interesting, delicious, and fairly priced (although not cheap), but the AVA Syrah was stunning. For anyone who enjoys Jamet (I’m one), I’d highly recommend seeking it out. It’s not that it tastes like Jamet - and why would you want it to? - but I’d wager that a palate preference for one might carry over to the other. The common thread is the philosophy: whole-cluster fermentation, restraint, and freshness. I immediately bought a number of bottles from various vintages for the cellar.
I’m curious to hear any thoughts on these or other Rall wines, if you’ve tasted. And one specific question: What’s the best South African syrah you’ve ever had and why?
2018 Rall White
Popped and poured. Medium lemon appearance. Medium intensity aromas of green apple, pear, white peach, gooseberry, blossom, touch of honey, wet stone. Slight tertiary aroma of almond
Dry. High acid. Medium alcohol (13.5%) which creates a touch of unbalanced heat on the finish. Full body and feels a bit too weighty at first, but then the creeping Chenin acidity cuts through. Medium+ flavour intensity with an oily character. Medium+, very savoury finish that’s packed with granite mineral tension.
Very good quality. Quite a weighty, bold, and serious white wine with an interesting blend of Chenin Blanc (64%), Verdelho (32%), and Viognier (4%). Priced according to quality at USD$30. Perfect age to be drinking this I’d suggest. (90 points)
2020 Rall Grenache Blanc
Popped and poured. Deep lemon appearance. Medium intensity nose golden apple, red apple, peach, white pepper, honey, quite floral. Significant tertiary development including almond, hazelnut, toast.
On the palate, dry / medium acid / medium alcohol (12%) / full body / medium+ flavour intensity / medium+ finish. Very nice flavour profile on the palate with the primary and tertiary aromas of the nose complemented by a rocky minerality. This persists into a very good, well-balanced finish that ends with a distinctly salty twist.
Very good quality. If it were a new release this would be perhaps be a little pricey at USD$27. With the 9 years of bottle age and it being in prime drinking window, you could argue good value at the price I paid. No need to age further - drinking perfectly now. (90 points)
2020 Rall Red
Popped and poured. Medium garnet appearance. Primary aromas of dark plum, blackcurrant, black pepper. Tertiary aromas of leather, barbecue sauce, smoke, cooked plum. On the palate, dry / medium+ acid / medium tannin / full body / medium+ flavour intensity / long finish that very well combines sweet, tangy fruit with pronounced stony minerality.
On the borderline between very good and outstanding quality. The slight lack of intensity and blurring of flavour definition just places it in the former for me. Priced about right at USD$38 but personally I’d prefer to spend more for the AVA. Drinking well at this point but could age for a few more years for possible improvement. (91 points)
2018 Rall Syrah Ava
Popped and poured. Drank over 2 days (note primarily from day one). Deep ruby appearance. Pronounced intensity nose. Gorgeous aromas of dark plum, blackberry, black pepper, black olive, dried herb (rosemary), violet. Some tertiary notes of smoked meats and spice.
Dry, medium+ acid, medium+ extremely velvety tannin, medium+ body, medium+ flavour intensity, long finish. From the nose, I expected this to be primarily fruit driven but not at all on the palate. The immediate hit of fruit dissipates quickly leading to a pronounced savoury mineral character of iron and crushed rock that harks to the Northern Rhone. Outstanding quality and excellent value at USD$50 I paid. There’s an overt sunny element to the fruit but a fantastic bridge to the Rhone through the mid-palate and finish.
It’s interesting that some have referred to the massive structure and high tannin. I could imagine where that’s coming from 3-5 years ago but tasting this in 2026, that’s not the impression I have and it now feels well integrated and balanced. There is still significant grip but it’s integrated and soft. This is magnificent - one of the best wines I’ve had this year and a significant discovery for me. Difficult question on the aging curve. I’d love to try this in another 3-5 years but I wonder whether it’s best now while the bright fruit is still alive to provide a counterpoint to the minerality. I felt this bottle drank best on day one. (94 points)