2015 Rall Red
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Tasting notes
The 2015 Red Rall from winemaker Donovan Rall has an extravagant and complex bouquet—well defined with copious red cherry and wild strawberry fruit, menthol in style yet it does not shadow the terroir or fruit expression. After a few swirls, that fruit seems to evaporate! The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy opening, but it feels a bit fatigued toward the finish. I suspect this was better three or four years ago. Tasted blind at the 10-Year-On horizontal in London.
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Average Score
Neal Martin
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
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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.
About the producer
Working with fruit from the Swartland, Piekenierskloof, Darling and Stellenbosch, Donovan Rall is one of South Africa’s top winemaking talents. He created his own label in 2008, while working alongside Eben Sadie, and now consults on various projects as well as making his exception Rall wines.
Product details
Syrah / Shiraz, Grenache/ Garnacha , Cinsault, Carignan
Red
Dry