2024 AVA Syrah
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Tasting notes
The Rall 2024 Swartland Syrah Ava comes from what vintner Donovan Rall considers his best schist vineyard, producing tiny bunches under harsh soil conditions with excellent canopy health. This site stands apart for its deep black fruit character and natural power without heaviness, as the vineyard itself delivers balance. Fermented with a courageous use of 100% stems and aged in old Stockinger foudre, the wine develops dense and polymerized tannins shaped by the wood. The schist soils of Swartland contribute to the wine's dark, savory intensity and layered structure. The results are remarkable.
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Neal Martin
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
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The 2024 Syrah Ava comes from schist soils that crop at just one or two tons per hectare. It is 100% whole bunch fermented and aged in 3,000-litre foudre . It is blessed with a stunning nose, with perfumed black fruit, crushed violet, Provençal herbs, wild heather and thyme. Brilliant delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, with a mellifluous entry, concentrated and silky smooth, layers of pure blackberry and bilberry fruit, with a precise and persistent finish. It will need two or three years in bottle, but it will be worth the 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.