Now in Stock: Rall!
Our latest haul of the good stuff is from Donovan Rall who released his first vintage in 2008 and this year they are all amazing! Here are WineMag’s Christian Eedes’ tasting notes for these latest releases:
Rall Grenache Blanc 2022: Grapes entirely from Piekenierskloof this vintage whereas 2021 included a Stellenbosch portion. The nose is extraordinarily shy at this stage - elusive notes of pear, peach, citrus and herbs while the palate is light-bodied with fresh acidity and pithy texture. Very tight and unshowy. Alc: 12%. Christian Eedes’ rating: 92/100.
Rall White 2022: 72% Chenin Blanc, 24% Verdelho and 4% Viognier - includes a portion of Chenin from the vineyard from which Noa below is sourced. Expressive aromatics of citrus, peach, floral perfume, herbs and a subtle reductive note while the palate has a dense core of fruit, invigorating acidity and dry finish. Poised and rather thrilling drinking. Christian Eedes’ rating: 97/100.
Rall Noa Chenin Blanc 2022: From a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1969 on granitic soils. Lime, lemon, earth and a subtle waxy note on the nose while the palate shows dense fruit, well integrated acidity and a dry finish. Surprisingly forceful given an alcohol of just 12% but this equally possesses plenty of drive. Christian Eedes’ rating: 95/100.
Rall Ava Chenin Blanc 2022: From a vineyard planted on schist soils. Yellow fruit (peach, apple) to go with hay, earth and spice on the nose. The palate has lovely breadth and texture - really detailed with layers of flavour, the finish showing a slight bitterness so typical of the variety. Alc: 13.5%. Christian Eedes’ rating: 95/100.
Rall Cinsault 2022: 70% Darling and 20% Swartland grapes. 100% whole-bunch fermentation. Complex aromatics of black cherry, plum, potpourri, earth and spice. The palate has nice roundness and weight - good fruit concentration, bright acidity and supple tannins. Alcohol is 13% compared to 2021’s 12% and shows more vinosity as a result. Christian Eedes’ rating: 93/100.
Rall Syrah 2022: Grapes from the vineyard that supplies Ava below but matured in 4 500-litre concrete squares rather than oak. 100% whole-bunch fermentation. Compelling aromatics of red and black berries, fynbos, earth, coriander and pepper. Light-bodied yet intensely flavoured with a great line of acidity and powdery tannins. Compact but also possessing plenty of verve and vitality - if 2021 was good, this is superb. Alc: 12.5%. Christian Eedes’ rating: 96/100.
Rall Red 2021: 78% Syrah, 13% Grenache, 7% Carignan and 2% Cinsault. Matured for 12 months in older 225- and 300-litre barrels. Red and black berries, floral perfume, fynbos and a little undergrowth on the nose. Medium bodied with fresh acidity fine tannins. Balanced and lightly dry on the finish. Very appealing with a nice crunchy quality to it. Christian Eedes’ rating: 94/100.
Rall Ava Syrah 2022: From vineyards on schist. Matured in 3 000-litre foudres. Hugely complex aromatics of red and black berries, orange, rose, lavender, fynbos and white pepper - all quite heady. The palate has astonishing clarity and focus - really vivid with lovely freshness and supremely long and dry finish. Poised, intricate and tightly coiled. Christian Eedes’ rating: 98/100.
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About Us
Have you ever heard about a great wine but could never find a bottle for yourself (to share with friends, of course)? Well, the team at Wine & Company do all the hard work for you! We visit wine farms and attend tastings to find, taste, and then stock wine from the smaller Estates and independent winemakers who buy grapes and produce outstanding wine under their own labels - much the same as the French negociants have been doing for centuries. Given that these winemakers make wine in such small quantities, sometimes just a single barrel, their wine will never be found on the shelves of the major retailers, but only in specialist shops like Wine & Company on High Street, Hermanus.
In addition to the great selection of well-known wines and MCC's, we also stock local craft gin and beer, French Champagne, Belgian Ales as well as whisky and other spirits. Wine & Company (established in 1998 by Bartho Eksteen) has a well-earned reputation for stocking hard-to-find small-batch wines and we strive to continue this great tradition. If you purchase a bottle of wine from us and it is faulty we will gladly replace the bottle and return the faulty wine to the winemaker.
Feel free to contact Wine & Company if you need a particular wine and we will do our best to source it for you. We are also able to ship wine locally and to most countries so do ask about international shipping.
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Please note that our website does not show the complete range of wine that we have in stock, so please do contact us if you are looking for something not listed online, especially those that are 'allocation' only.
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