2017 AVA Syrah
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Tasting notes
J&B notes: 'Newly exclusive to J&B as of January 2020. Donovan Rall is one of South Africa’s great garagista producers, bottling small batches of Mediterranean-inspired wines with minimal intervention in the cellar. The 2017 Rall Red comprises Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan. He's a popular figure on the new-wave scene.' Blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan, which Rall claims were all grown on the soils most suited to them. Dark purplish crimson. Quite inky and Syrah-dominated on the nose. Really mouth-filling – long and broad – this guy really does have the magic touch. How does he manage to squeeze so much freshness from Swartland fruit? Must be those soils. There is sweetness on the end and a little granite graininess of texture. Absolutely lovely already. GV (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
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The 2017 AVA Syrah comes from 2.4 hectares of schist soils that only produced 1,000 bottles because of the drought. It includes around 50% or 60% whole bunch. Deep in color, it has quite a high-toned bouquet, very floral with iodine, hints of cassis, white pepper and clove. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, black fruit, clove and white pepper. This has an almost Cornas-like personality, a little masculine with more black pepper toward the finish. Stunning.
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.