New releases from Savage, one of South Africa’s very top producers
Website: https://www.savagewines.com/
Duncan Savage has established himself as one of South Africa’s top producers, and each year he seems to nail it, even in tricky vintages like 2023. First vintage for Duncan was 2011, then he quit his day job and went alone in 2016. A big step was establishing his own winery in Salt River, Cape Town. Winemaking is classic low-intervention, with wide use of large-format oak. Everything here is good.
For a longer article on Duncan and his wines, see this piece. UK agent in SWIG.
Savage Salt River Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Intense and limey, this is bright and concentrated with nice fruit and some spicy notes. Textural, with a twist of peach richness, but also lovely purity. A serious expression of Sauvignon. 93/100
Savage White 2023
Layered and fresh, with complex pear, peach and cherry fruit with some spiciness, showing nice intensity and a wide dynamic range. Really pure and enticing. 94/100
Savage Never Been Asked to Dance 2023
This is Chenin Blanc. Almond and honey notes on the nose as well as rich pear and peach fruit. The palate is textured, rich and pure with nice intensity, and some almond/liquorice touches. Bold and rich. 95/100
Savage Follow The Line 2023 Darling, South Africa
Cinsault from Darling. Wonderful aromatics: floral with some green herbs and aniseed and pepper, as well as bright red fruits. The palate is smooth and richly textured with sweet strawberry and raspberry fruit, with nice crunch on the finish. So elegant. 94/100
Savage Girl Next Door 2023 Cape Town, South Africa
This is Syrah. Fine and refined with liquorice, red cherry and bright raspberry fruit. Such elegance here with fine spices and minerals. Joyful. 95/100
Savage Are We There Yet 2023 Malgas, South Africa
This is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Syrah from Malgas. It has nice density and focus with bold, sweet black cherry and blackberry fruit. Concentrated with lovely weight, showing ripe fruit and lovely detail. 94/100
Savage Thief in the Night 2022 Piekenierskloof, South Africa
13.5% alcohol. Wild ferment, 20% whole clusters, aged in foudres for 8 months. This is beautifully aromatic with sweet, ripe cherries and strawberries and some liqueur-like richness. Floral and full with real beauty, showing smooth lush texture and notes of incense and white pepper in the background. Liquorice and salt also in the mix. This shows astonishing texture and elegance. Very fine. 96/100
Savage Thief in the Night 2023 Piekenierskloof, South Africa
This is Grenache from Piekeneirskloof. Supple, fine, pure and refined with red cherry and strawberry fruit, with real finesse. Red cherries, silky texture and real elegance here. So fine with amazing texture. 96/100
Savage Red 2021
This is concentrated but refined with pure red cherries and raspberries, with nice structure. This has a wide dynamic range, is supple, and has some elegance, but there’s also lovely depth. 95/100
