Donovan Rall's Double 94-Point White!
Donovan Rall's wines are marvelous. The latest vintage of his flagship white blend has earned double 94-point reviews, and is drinking tremendously. We rank it in the Top 3 of the South African whites we've tasted this decade!
This is a wine that would feel just as at home in a Michelin-starred restaurant as it would at a party in your backyard. Zippy, confident, and so rewarding immediately on the first sip, it's drinking WAY over it's sub-$30 price point.
A Vin Chicago exclusive to the country, scroll on for notes on this exquisite and finessed white, as well as details on the latest release of Donovan's equally delicious red blend, then hammer down on the Order Button below to get your order in!
2023 Rall Wines "Rall White"
Swartland, Western Cape, South Africa
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We were smitten with the sample bottle that we tasted back in June, and on our Saturday tasting table, it sang even more loudly. WOW!
Displaying oodles of green apple, fresh cut pineapple, and citrus blossom, this is a wine that was made to be enjoyed broadly by everyone whose lips meet it. With a refreshing level of acidity balanced out by some crunch from the Verdelho in the blend, this wine is so harmoniously crafted that each time we went in for a sip, we had to crack a grin. Devilishly good juice!
Fresh and ready to rip, the 2023 Rall White deserves to be a staple in your wine rotation all year long, but will be especially enjoyable on the porch with some friends in the coming Spring and Summer months!
"Now established among the Cape's leading white blends, this is a pairing of Chenin Blanc, 26% Verdelho and 3% Viognier from the Swartland and Stellenbosch. Floral, pithy and effortlessly complex, it's tauter and tighter than it has been of late, with notes of thatch, wet stones, citrus and apricot, negligible oak and a mineral core. 2025-33."
- 94 Points, Tim Atkin (9/2024)
“Donovan Rall's 2023 Coastal Region White is 71% Chenin Blanc, 26% Verdelho and 3% Viognier. It was first produced in 2008. The formula behind the blending seeks to preserve acidity, although this dynamic winemaker allows malolactic fermentation in his white wines. The Verdelho adds the freshness with cool aromas of crisp green apple and kiwi. This is a lovely wine with a crunchy or snappy quality, and the focus here is squarely on that balanced freshness. This bottle offers outstanding value.”
- 94 Points, Wine Advocate (6/25/2025)
Drink this one with a lighter chill alongside soft cheeses, scallops, or roast chicken and you'll be pretty pleased, though be warned: if you open it before the meal, the bottle might find itself empty by dinnertime!
We appear to be the only ones in the US to have this. Looking worldwide, we found 10 listings with a median of $37. Our price beats them all.
Vin Chicago Price: 26.99
Plus Donovan's Impressive Rhône Influenced Red!
2022 Rall Wines "Rall Red"
Swartland, Western Cape, South Africa
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While Donovan's white populates the spotlight today, his rip-roaring Rall Red also merits serious praise. And, it too, is a Vin Chicago exclusive!
Deeply layered flavors of rich dark fruit are bouqueted with a tightly wound package of garden herbs and rose extract. The 2022 Rall Red is drinking great now, and should be delightful over the next few years to come.
"Donovan Rall's latest red blend is Syrah based, with a supporting crew of 12% Grenache, 7% Carignan and 3% Cinsault. Always released a year later than the rest of the portfolio to allow the tannins to harmonise, it combines components from schist and granite soils, showing plenty of grip, aromas of Campari spices and garrigue and a core of plum, tobacco leaf and red cherry."
- 93 Points, Tim Atkin (9/2024)
"The Rall 2022 Swartland Red is Syrah (from the same vineyard in the Swartland used in the mono-varietal expression) with Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault. This wine delivers more texture and intensity, and it shows a big-boned personality that wraps thickly over the palate. It is fleshy and oozing with dark fruit, along with fragrant tones of heritage rose, wild herb and African brush. The fruit is very balanced and pretty."
- 93 Points, Wine Advocate (6/2025)
Wine Advocate quotes $35. As with the white, we could not find even a single listing in the U.S.. Scoop up this impressive red and enjoy it alongside a juicy hamburger and anything you can BBQ!
Vin Chicago Price: 27.99
