Savage new releases

This year marks the 11th release from Savage Wines, the wines predominantly from the 2022 vintage with one 2021 in the form of Savage Red. Owner-winemaker Duncan Savage describes 2022 as a “winemaker’s vintage” on account of the challenges posed by a lot of heat early in the season, fruit needing to be extensively sorted in both vineyard and winery for one thing. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Savage White 2022
Price: R350
75% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Semillon. Matured for 12 months in 500-litre barrels, 20% new. Complex aromatics of fennel, elderflower, blackcurrant, peach and nectarine while the palate is wonderfully harmonious – good fruit weight, creamy texture, the acidity well integrated. Rich and satisfying – alcohol is 13.7%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Savage Never Been Asked to Dance 2022
Price: R365

Chenin Blanc from a Paarl vineyard planted in 1956. Fermented and matured in older 600-litre Stockinger barrels. The nose shows lime and white peach with fresh herbs and floral perfume in the background. The palate is lean and energetic – pure fruit and zippy acidity before a pithy finish. Tightly wound, long and dry. Alc: 13.6%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Savage Follow the Line 2022
Price: R345
92% Cinsault and 8% Syrah from Darling. 50% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 12 months in a combination of older 500-litre barrels, foudre and amphorae. Pretty aromatics of rose, fynbos, cranberry and a trace of orange while the palate is light and linear with snappy acidity and ultra-fine tannins. Elegant and precise as always. Alc: 13.1%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Savage Thief in the Night 2022
Price: R345
86% Grenache and 14% Cinsault from Piekenierskloof. 20% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 10 months in older 500-litre barrels and foudre. Heady aromatics of cranberry, red cherry, fynbos and white pepper while the palate has good depth of fruit and nicely grippy tannins. Round and juicy and full of flavour. Alc: 13.8%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Savage Are We There Yet 2022
Price: R345
67% Syrah and 33% Touriga Nacional from Malgas. 10% of the Syrah fermented whole-bunch. Matured for 10 months in older 500-litre barrels. Some reduction before red, black and blue berries plus floral perfume. The palate has great generosity of fruit but is perhaps a bit short of drive, the tannins rather soft and smooth.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Savage Girl Next Door 2022
Price: R470
From a 0.38ha vineyard in Fish Hoek. 50% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 10 months in foudre. Extraordinarily fragrant with notes of red and black berries, lavender, herbs and an intense peppery note. The palate shows almost perfect structure and focus – excellent fruit purity, bright acidity and densely packed, super-fine tannins. As for the finish, this has a real umami quality to it, making the mouth water. Wonderfully well-proportioned and vinous. Alc: 13.3%

CE’s rating: 98/100.

Savage Red 2021
Price: R365
Grapes sourced from the Langverwagt farm in Kuils River on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. 100%  whole-bunch fermented. Matured for 13 months in older 500-litre barrels before a further 10 months in foudre. Red currant, wild strawberry, dried herbs, cured meat, pepper and spice on the nose while the palate has good fruit density, bright acidity and powdery tannins. Succulent and balanced – alcohol is 13.8%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Savage Not Tonight Josephine 2022
Price: R470 per 375ml bottle
Grapes from a younger trellised block of Chenin Blanc in Piekenierskloof. Sun-dried for two to three weeks. Fermentation takes place in an old 225-litre barrel and glass demijohn and can last up to a year. Exotic aromatics of peach, orange, melon, pineapple and straw. The palate is super-rich and thick-textured but also possesses punchy acidity. Massive but not unbalanced…

CE’s rating: 93/100.

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