Rall “Syrah”

SWARTLAND, SOUTH AFRICA |  2022

One of the most influential and important winemakers in South Africa, Donovan Rall has produced exceptional wine since his first vintage of Rall Wines in 2008. Following an education in viticulture and oenology, extensive travels and harvests eventually brought him back to the Swartland, where he found his inspiration in Mediterranean varieties, and began making unique and naturally styled wines under his own label from scattered old vineyards.

He works closely with growers in the Swartland and in Stellenbosch to secure the best possible fruit at the optimal ripeness and balance, and the vineyards are selected by soil type and vine age. Currently, the fruit for the Rall range is sourced from ten different vineyards, primarily from Swartland. The hands-off winemaking technique that follows is only possible if the vines are low yielding and the growth is in balance. Donovan has always produced small quantities by hand from the most unique and oldest sites he can find. The winemaking is simple, with each parcel allowed to ferment and mature naturally to reflect the character of each vineyard.
 
The vines for this Syrah bottling were grown on the schist soils of the Swartland. The grapes were whole-bunch pressed and fermented with natural yeasts.The wine was aged for nine months in concrete. 

What a gorgeous wine, with nots of blackberry, plum, garrigue and spice notes on the nose and the palate. Medium bodied, with ripe tannins, and nice freshness. It is bold, but also balanced.

Only 450 cases were produced, and only a small fraction of that is here in Chicago!