Donovan Rall is counted among the best winemakers of Swartland and South Africa. In everything he is an impressive personality and that has not only to do with his imposing stature. After graduating from Stellenbosch University in 2005 he decided to first travel and then return in 2007 to settle in Swartland. Here he went in search of old small vineyards from which he makes natural wines. The fruit from the different parcels is always vinified separately and then blended. This is where Donovan’s talent comes into play, he is probably one of the best blenders of the Cape. All his wines are made in a natural way. Donovan has spread his vineyards over Swartland and the Western Cape. Most of them are old vineyards that he rents. In both the vineyards and in the cellar there is as little interference as possible and the method is as much as possible biological/natural. You could even describe the wines as “vin nature”, but Donovan prefers not to. His whole approach to vineyards and nature is biological/natural and his wines are among the best in South Africa.

Ava Chenin, named after Donovan’s first daughter Ava. The more expressive, confident older sister to the shier, more reserved Noa. The most gorgeous texture here, the Ava Chenin marries a succulency of apples, stone fruit and honey with a touch of hay and oak and plum stones. Intense and reverberating but not heavy, just lots to like. Really long and focussed with a concentration and breadth that should see this develop handsomely in bottle. One of the Cape’s best Chenins. From schist-driven soils, fermented and aged in small, used oak barrels, the total production rarely exceeds 1,300 bottles.

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‘‘Grapes from vineyards on schist. Matured in older barrel. Peach, orange, straw and ginger plus some leesy complexity. The palate is super-rich: dense fruit, coated acidity, the finish savoury and slightly grippy. Layers of flavour.’ 

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za: 95/100

The Ava Chenin Blanc comes from two sources in the Swartland, Meerhof and Jakkalsfontein, both of which are on schist soils, and is a tricky wine to make, according to Donovan Rall. Stony, yet broader than the Noa Chenin Blanc, it has notes of straw, yellow apple and pear, a twist of orange zest and very subtle oak spices. 2024-29

Tim Atkin MW: 95 Points