A staggering concoction from the towering tour de force that is Donovan Rall.
The wine is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot from estate-grown fruit. The grapes are picked as early as possible and rushed to the cellar where it is not crushed only destemmed, hand sorted and transferred to tank. Fermentation occurs naturally without the addition of any yeasts after a cold soak of about 3 to 5 days. As soon as fermentation starts the grapes are given soft pigeage twice daily during the first week and then once every few days just to keep the cap wet. When the desired extraction is achieved the wine gets drained and pressed in a tiny hand operated basket press and transferred into 225l French oak barrels of which 50% is new for 22 months before bottling unfined and without heavy filtration.
Huge and muscular and surprisingly elegant given its depth of dark brooding fruit. An intriguing nose of wild berries, blackberry compot, graphite and other crunchy stuff. These delights follow through onto a palate with layers of graphite, rosemary, rocks, lashings of black fruits and countless other things! The Petit Verdot complements the characteristics of the other varietals creating a wine that has lots of cassis and spicy, leather notes and a firm tannin structure with the potential to evolve beautifully over the next 10 years. After decanting the wine evolves beautifully showing notes of crushed-rock minerality amongst the restrained layered and complex fruit.
Its got to be a proper braai! Good steak bashed and barbecued with a sprinkling of rock salt and grilled veg.
Country | South Africa |
Region | Stellenbosch |
Grapes | Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot |
ABV | 14.5% |
Suitable for Vegans | Yes |
Organic | No |
Standard Delivery
Mainland UK Orders over £150 | FREE |
Mainland UK Orders under £150 | £7.95 |
Scottish Highlands and Isle of Wight | £14.95 |
Scottish Islands | £19.95 |
Isle of Man and Isles of Scilly | £19.95 |
Northern Ireland | £19.95 |
Channel Islands | £24.95 |
Saturday Delivery
Mainland UK Orders over £150 | £6.95 |
Mainland UK Orders under £150 | £14.95 |
Store Pickup
Collect in store usually same/next day | FREE |