Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

2019:
'Bright and expressive in the glass, the 2019 AVA Chenin Blanc delivers a luscious and round expression with notes of yellow apples, sautéed almonds and marzipan with hints of lemon pastry cream and dusty citrus blossoms. Medium-bodied, the wine springs to life with energetic acidity that drives down the mid-palate, showing its precision and finesse before ending with a long and citrus-driven finish. It's an excellent expression of Chenin Blanc from Swartland. Give it a try.' - Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 92/100 (Jun 2022)

'A very distinctive and ageworthy Chenin, from a single vineyard in Kasteelberg on schist, fermented and aged in small used barrels. It's reminiscent of a Savennières with its aromas of hay and lemongrass, and concentrated, complex flavours of honeyed orchard fruit, soft herbs and smoky flint. The poised yet powerful palate is beautifully textured, with great energy and freshness drawing out the finish. 'It's the best Ava I've made,' attests Rall.' - Tina Gellie, Decanter.com, 96/100 (Apr 2021)

'The nose seems looser than the Rall White's. This is playful rather than magisterial to me. Transparent and welcoming initially, albeit with the tang of old-vine Chenin on the very end, and a strong dose of salinity. Ambitious and demanding a response from the taster. There's a real chewy interplay on the finish. But the start is deceptively creamy and easy.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Sep 2020)

'All sourced from a site on the Kasteelberg, all planted on schist soils, this was so high in malic acid that Donovan Rall allowed 80% of it to go through malolactic fermentation to soften the sharp edges. Bready, textured and complex, with broad peach and pear fruit, nuanced wood and a focused, stony finish. 2021-26.' - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2020, 96/100

'A wonderfully multifaceted nose with notes of naartjie, grapefruit, apple, fynbos, thatch and spice plus a slight note of struck-match reduction. The palate is big but flavourful - super-intense and super-long. The same great fruit concentration of previous vintages but perhaps some extra freshness and drive. Delivers in spades!' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100 (Jul 2020)

2020:
'There's a light honey glow over this wine in a thoroughly Chenin-like fashion. Molten Swartland gloriousness. Such precision and cut! Great tight crystalline acidity and structure after green apples and a hint of honeysuckle. Amazing persistence.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Oct 2021)

'The Swartland and Stellenbosch are the twin sources of this consistently outstanding white blend from Donovan Rall, made from a cuvée of Chenin Blanc with 32% Verdelho and a splash of Viognier. Nuanced, understated and focused, with wax, lanolin and aniseed top notes and a palate of citrus, pear and peach skin. Taut and refreshing.' - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2021, 96/100

2021:
'Now into its sixth vintage - and so in demand that the 1,300 bottles sell out within hours - this comes from a parcel on schist soils and is comparatively generous and textured as a result. Honeyed, spicy and intense for a Chenin Blanc with only 12.5% alcohol, Ava is framed by old oak and underpinned by acidity. Delicious.' - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2022, 96/100

The 2021 Chenin Blanc Ava comes from a small parcel of Chenin Blanc on the Schists soils. It has a neutral bouquet, light flinty scents with a touch of dry straw emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and linear, neutral in style like the nose with a twist of sour lemon on the finish. Excellent.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 93/100 (Aug 2022)