A Night to Remember: Rall 2023 Vintage Release Walk-Around Tasting at Great Domaines
Great Domaines
Fine wine importer. Directly importing and distributing some of Europe’s finest, plus Zalto and Coravin, and top SA wine
Great Domaines hosted an exclusive walk-around tasting event featuring the latest vintage release from Rall Wines. The evening was a resounding success, with 40 guests enjoying a selection of Rall's finest offerings in an intimate and elegant setting.
Event Highlights:
Wines Showcased:
A special thanks to Donovan Rall for joining us and sharing his expertise and passion for winemaking. His insights added a unique depth to the tasting experience.
Donovan Rall shared some fascinating insights about his winemaking journey and the inspiration behind the 2023 vintage. Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
Q:?What makes this current vintage release unique and how would you position it compared to the previous years??
A:The 2023 vintage release is unique due to its stop-start nature, which allowed more time to carefully select and blend different components. The crop on the red wines were extremely low, about 40% less than usual, resulting in wines with incredible concentration and low alcohol levels. This vintage is already beautifully aromatic and promises to age well, especially the reds.
Q:?Are there plans to expand your range, or have you found the sweet spot with your current offerings??
A:?Expanding the range is always challenging. I started with two wines in 2008 and gradually increased to ten. I am considering adding a Syrah from a very good vineyard I found and possibly a Grenache that can stand on its own. However, nothing is set in stone unless the wines meet our quality standards.
Q:?What is your philosophy in winemaking??
A:?The key to winemaking is sourcing the best grapes and handling them with care. My approach focuses on using the best fruit from unique sites, mostly old vineyards, and allowing the wines to reflect their origins. Quality is paramount, and if a wine doesn't meet our standards, it won't be released.
Q:?Which vineyard excites you the most currently, and where is it located??
A:?I recently discovered an amazing vineyard in the Porterville area with granite soils, which is a game-changer for Cinsault. This vineyard produces Cinsault with exceptional pH and acidity, and I have high hopes for its future in our range.
Q:?Have you noticed increased interest from foreign markets in recent years for your wines and those of your colleagues?
A:?Absolutely. I started exporting almost all my wines to Germany and the UK in 2008, but I've seen significant growth in the South African market, from 5% five years ago to almost 20% now. There’s also growing interest from unexpected markets like France, Estonia, and Spain, which is incredibly rewarding.
Q:?How has partnering with Great Domaines benefited you??
A:?Since joining Great Domaines, my local market has grown by at least 500% in the last 5-6 years. Being part of a portfolio with incredible South African winemakers and having access to global wines that inspire us is a privilege. Working with Great Domaines has been a fantastic experience.
We look forward to hosting more such memorable events. Stay tuned for our next tasting series and join us in celebrating the world of fine wines.