2023 AVA Chenin Blanc
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Tasting notes
This wine explores the spirit of schist soils with vines planted in 1986. The Rall 2023 Swartland Chenin Blanc Ava reveals aromas of aniseed, licorice and fennel root at the back of orchard fruit and unripe peach. With the Noa, vintner Donovan Rall limits oxygen, but with this wine, he seeks more of it. He works with three vineyards with schist soil, and this is the only one he can bottle on its own because it achieves the balance he seeks. The wine ferments in 400-liter barrel for six months until almost dry. There is a touch of residual sugar at 2.5 grams per liter. The wine is creamy and fleshed out in terms of texture, but its aging potential remains intact. The personality of this wine is certainly more soothing and richer overall. Donovan Rall seeks to express two sides of Chenin Blanc, one on granite (the Noa) and one on schist (the Ava).
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Roughly 70/30 schist/granite soils, fermented and aged entirely in used oak barrels. Total production rarely exceeds 1,300 bottles. Very dense on the nose. Sort of old-vine richness. With a strong citrus note and great length. (JR)
The 2023 Chenin AVA comes from two parcels on schistous soils, matured in used 300-liter barrels. It has an attractive nose of melted candle wax mixed with orange blossom and lime, developing more crushed stone aromas with aeration. The palate is very well balanced with a fine thread of acidity. Linear and strict in style, the waxy texture here is wonderful, and there's a lovely prickle of lemongrass right on the finish. This is a classy expression of Chenin, courtesy of a great winemaker.
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.