Rall Grenache Noir, Swartland '23

There was a quiet sense of excitement opening this bottle — the kind that comes when you know you’re tasting something genuinely new. The 2023 Rall Grenache Noir marks the first-ever release of this wine, with just 2,285 bottles produced, and it represents a natural extension of Donovan Rall’s work rather than a departure from it.

One of the most influential winemakers in South Africa, Donovan Rall has been producing wines under the Rall label since his first vintage in 2008. After studying viticulture and oenology and working multiple harvests abroad, he returned to the Swartland, where he found his voice working with Mediterranean varieties from old, dry-farmed vineyards. Today, the Rall range draws fruit from ten different sites, primarily in the Swartland, selected for soil type, vine age, and balance, with additional parcels in Stellenbosch.

Grenache fits seamlessly into this philosophy. Fruit is sourced from low-yielding vines and handled with the same hands-off approach that defines the rest of the range. Each parcel is allowed to ferment and mature naturally, without forcing structure or polish, in order to reflect site and season.

The 2023 offers beautiful aromas of black raspberry, freshly cracked black pepper, violets and hints of cocoa. Smooth and seamless on the palate, this delivers a big core of red fruit, finishing with vibrancy, structure and great length. Absolutely delicious, Rall fans, do not miss this!