Donovan Rall has raised the bar yet again! While Donovan is most excited about the reds, his latest release includes some of the best renditions of the Rall White and Grenache Blanc to date. This is a winemaker who’s captivated by all aspects of wine – from the vineyards and soils to the glassware – and his preoccupation with detail shines through in this spectacular release.
The Syrah 2025 is hard to beat for value. The fruit comes exclusively from one of his favourite Schist vineyards, which he also uses in the AVA, and the wine is 100% whole-bunch fermented and aged in concrete. The aromatics are intoxicating, moving from pink and green peppercorns to olive tapenade and pressed violets, followed by a satisfying slatey, mineral palate.
The Rall Red 2024 is a wine of precision and flavour. It captures the heart of the Swartland and offers immense drinking pleasure, with a long life ahead.
The Rall White and Grenache Blanc 2025 will reward the patient collector. Pure, poised and layered, both wines possess a quiet power and will reveal their full potential after a few years in your cellar.
The Cinsault has reached new heights in 2025 and Donovan finally feels he’s achieved his goal – to create the South African version of a great Beaujolais. The 2025 is still largely from Darling fruit, with the addition of a special Paardeberg vineyard that brings extra brightness and length.
There are minute quantities of the Grenache left. It has more weight and depth of fruit than the lighter styles and continues to be extremely sought after.
The single vineyards have already sold out, but if you’re interested in joining the allocation list for next year’s release, please email margeaux@briceandburnett.co.za.
Tasting Notes:
‘Wow! The aromatics alone are intoxicating. An array of pink, green and black peppercorn. There’s so much structure but the tannins are more amiable than the 2024. Slatey, mineral and graphite elements coming through, with great length and flavour. Buy it by the case load.’ – Lauren Segers-Jewell, June 2026
‘This is the first time there’s no Carignan in this blend. 80% Syrah with Grenache and Cinsault in support. Donovan felt that the Carignan didn’t add to the wine, which is already incredible and layered without it. There’s a mineral, rock pool element in the centre holding all the deep fruit and flavour inward and focused.’ – Lauren Segers-Jewell, June 2026
‘This wine carries the finesse and power of a great Burgundy, even on the palate. There’s fleshy stone fruit and great reduction, sitting in the right place. Majority old-vine Chenin and using a lot of the Noa vineyard this year, the Verdelho adding drive and verve to the wine. Brilliantly done.’ – Lauren Segers-Jewell, June 2026
‘100% Piekenierskloof grapes. This reminds me of the great 2021 vintage with more concentration and length. There’s fruit and florals, with that greengage element that we love in a Grenache Blanc. This is pitch perfect.’ – Lauren Segers-Jewell, June 2026
‘Mainly Darling fruit with a touch of Paardeberg fruit adding lift and brightness. It’s dark with pressed violets and stemmy spice on the nose. The palate is serious with crunchy cherry at the back. Donovan loves Beaujolais, particularly Morgon, which is the inspiration for this wine. He feels this is the closest he’s come to matching it.’ – Lauren Segers-Jewell, June 2026
‘Bright purple fruit, fine musk and rose petal on the palate. This is a more focused, dialled in rendition of last year’s Grenache. 100% whole bunch, 100% aged in foudre. Beautiful.’ – Lauren Segers-Jewell, June 2026
