2020 Grenache Blanc

“2019 turned out better than I ever hoped, a surprise for me because I was not all that excited about the vintage as it went on. Across South Africa I feel there were some wines that really stood and others that were at about the same level as usual. In 2020 though, I am completely excited, and have been since the grapes were on the vine. They will take longer to show their full potential but there is not one wine, at least in my range, that I don’t think is as good as it possibly can be. I felt from the start that this would be a killer vintage, and this is what I want. Incredibly happy.” - Donovan Rall

From a single vineyard in the Piekenierskloof averaging 20 years old at 600-650m elevation. Donovan laments that “we don’t have old Grenache Blanc in South Africa. The oldest Grenache Blanc I knew of was 42 years old, but it was pulled out before I could get my hands on it.” Bottled early at the same time as the Cinsault and Cinsault Blanc after around six months. “In 2020 it came it a bit riper than I’d usually do for a first pick (at 11.5%) but I loved the tension so I brought the later picks forward and picked the second component just two days later.” My 2019 Grenache Blanc was extremely successful and a crowd pleaser but I think 2020 is better. More varietal flavours – lots of green fruit and with a tighter pithy, drier finish. Complex and salty with an intensity without it feeling heavy.