- Analysis
- Vineyards
- Vinification and Aging
- Tasting Notes
- 2013 Vintage Notes
Rall Wines 2013 Red
Wine of Origin
Swartland (Swartland Independent Certified)
Varietals
85% Syrah, 15% Grenache
Analysis
Wine Maker: Donovan Rall
Alcohol: 14%
Total Acidity: 5.2
pH: 3.6
Residual Sugar: 2.2 g/l
Production: 175 cases
Working closely with growers in the Swartland and Stellenbosch area to secure the best possible fruit at the optimal ripeness and balance is the most important and first step in making the Rall Wines. The vineyards are chosen on a combination of factors but the 2 most important aspects are soil type and age of the vines. At the moment the fruit for the wine is sourced from 2 different vineyards with the main soil types being mostly shale for the Syrah and sand for the Grenache. The hands off wine making approach that is followed is only possible if the vines are low yielding and the growth is in balance.
The grapes are picked as early as possible and rushed to the cellar where depending on the varietal it could either be destemmed or fermented whole bunch. Fermentation occurs naturally without the addition of any yeasts or nutrients after about 3 to 5 days and can take up to between 3 months to be completed. As soon as fermentation starts the grapes are given a soft pigeage twice daily during the first week and once every few days thereafter just to keep the cap wet. When the desired extraction is achieved the wine gets drained and pressed by hand in a tiny manually operated basket press and transferred into second fill french oak for 22 months before bottling unfined and unfiltered.
This 2013 shows a very perfumed dark fruit profile on the nose which also leads the palate. The concentration and density of the rugged Syrah is balanced by the delicate and fruit forward Grenache. Soft and textured with big dark fruit aromas, a touch of spice and a long clean mineral finish. This wine is perfect when paired with game or roasted meat, especially when dressed with a savory herb or black peppercorn crust.
2013 had a perfect run up towards harvest with a really cold and extremely wet winter compared to the previous 2 years which were dry and produced tiny crops. Weather played along perfectly and although December was really hot there was enough water in the soil to satisfy the vines and harvest came about 2-3 weeks later than normal. Temperatures at harvest also stayed surprisingly moderate without the usual spikes we often get in the Swartland. We were able to pick at lower sugars levels and resulting wines are really generous and have great concentration and balance despite the crop being much bigger.