Donovan Rall is counted among the best winemakers in Swartland and South Africa. In everything, he is an impressive personality and that is not only due to his imposing stature. After graduating from Stellenbosch University in 2005, he first decided to travel before returning and settling in Swartland in 2007. 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 in the Cape. All his wines are made naturally.

This is an awesome wine, named after Donovan’s second daughter Noa (Ava has already had several wines in her name!) As Donovan said the pressure was on to continue the tradition. It’s awesome, tightly wound and full of verve, going to be fabulous.

“Confirming the promise of the initial 2021 release, Noa hails from a 1969 Paardeberg vineyard on granite and ferricrete soils. Curated in concrete eggs and foudres, it’s all about texture and structure rather than wood, with lime, green apple and lemongrass flavours and plenty of underlying grip and tension.

Sailing majestically into its third vintage, this comes from a vineyard planted on the Paardeberg in 1969 that’s called La Rhine. Entirely fermented in a concrete egg, it has mouth-watering freshness and focus, layers of aniseed, lime and lemon juice, salty minerality and a tapering finish that lingers on the tongue. 2025-32

Tim Atkin MW: 97 Points

‘Grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard on granite. Matured in concrete egg. Compelling and strikingly distinct aromatics of pear, peach and lime plus some flinty reduction while the palate is wonderfully well delineated with zesty acidity and a super-dry finish. Linear, taut and absolutely mouth-watering. Alc: 12%.’

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100