Savage new releases

Duncan Savage points out once again that the 2023 harvest displayed two different sides to its character: the first part up to the end of February ideal, the quality potentially set to rival 2017 and 2021 and the second part beset by rain. His straw wine Not Tonight Josephine will not be released as the weather did not allow for sufficient dehydration of the fruit. The other wines, from grapes brought in before the rain, are generally excellent, however. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Savage White 2023
Price: R380
76% Sauvignon Blanc and 24% Semillon from Stellenbosch, the Overberg and Villiersdorp. Matured for 12 months in 500-litre barrels, of which 20% was new, and concrete eggs. Elderflower, blackcurrant and peach on the nose. The palate is super-rich and concentrated, creamy in texture, the acidity well integrated and the finish savoury. Alc: 13.7%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Savage Red 2022
Price: R395
Grapes from a Kuils River site on decomposed granite. 50% whole-bunch fermentation and the first vintage to incorporate submerged cap. Matured for 13 months in neutral 500-litre barrels. Haunting aromatics of red and black berries, floral perfume and white pepper. Good fruit weight, seemingly moderate acidity and powdery tannins, the finish gently savoury. Not the most structured iteration of this wine, this is already quite open. Alc: 13.65%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Never Been Asked to Dance 2023
Price: R395
Chenin Blanc from a Paarl vineyard planted in 1956. Matured in neutral 600-litre barrels for 10 months. Leesy, flinty notes before peach, soft citrus, orange, ginger and other spice on the nose. Great depth of fruit, zesty acidity, the finish lightly grippy in texture and saline in flavour. Alc: 13.28%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Follow The Line 2023
Price: R380
93% Cinsault and 7% Syrah from Darling. 50% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 12 months in foudre, amphora and neutral 500-litre barrels. Beguiling aromatics of cranberry, cherry, pomegranate, rose, fynbos and white pepper. The palate is pure and precise – intense but not weighty, lively acidity and powdery tannins. Intricate, taut and impressively long on the finish. Very, very smart Cinsault. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Thief In The Night 2023
Price: R380
89% Grenache and 11% Cinsault from Piekenierskloof. 10 – 20% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 10 months in concrete egg and neutral 500-litre barrels. Wild strawberry plus hints of earth, spice and flinty reduction. The palate is more substantial than many examples of the variety – good depth of fruit, bright acidity and fine tannins, the finish notably dry. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Girl Next Door 2023
Price: R490
For the first time, this includes Syrah from a Noordhoek vineyard planted in 2013 as well as from the usual tiny Fish Hoek plantings. 50% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 10 months in foudre and neutral 500-litre barrels. Hugely evocative aromatics of red and black berries, floral perfume, fynbos and pepper. The palate is extraordinarily well delineated and the epitome of “energetic.” A wine of striking poise – succulent fruit, plenty of drive and ultra-fine, powdery tannins, the finish bone-dry. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 98/100.

Are We There Yet 2023
Price: R380
69% Touriga Nacional and 31% Syrah from Malgas. 10% of the Syrah processed as whole bunches. Matured for 10 months in neutral 500-litre barrels. Red and black berries, a pleasing meaty note, potpourri, fynbos and spice on the nose the palate is rich and hearty – broad but not short of freshness, the tannins, nicely grippy. Alc: 13.8%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.