Savage new releases

Reflecting on the climatic conditions that shaped the soon-to-be-released 2024s, Duncan Savage notes that what began as a wet season quickly turned dry, yields down and picking earlier than usual in most instances. The result? Muscular, structured wines with more robust tannins than the recent norm.

White 2024
Price: R400
71% Sauvignon Blanc, 29% Semillon from Stellenbosch, the Overberg and Villiersdorp. Matured for 12 months in 500-litre barrels (20% new) and concrete eggs before a further two months in stainless steel. Arresting aromatics of white peach, blue and black berries plus a pronounced but not unpleasant flinty reduction. The palate is harmonious without being too clean or overtly fruity – dense, textural, high in acidity with a savoury finish. A dramatic wine. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Red 2023
Price: R400
From decomposed granite in Kuils River. 50% whole-bunch fermentation; matured for 13 months in old 500-litre barrels. Pretty aromatics of red berries, rose, fynbos and white pepper. The palate is light-bodied yet elegant, with lovely fruit expression, snappy acidity and powdery tannins. Alc: 13.4%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Never Been Asked to Dance 2024
Price: R400
Chenin Blanc from a Paarl vineyard planted in 1956. Fermented and matured for 10 months in old 600-litre barrels. Top notes of herbs and thatch before citrus, peach and a hint of reduction. Super-rich yet brimming with vitality – full of flavour and texture, moderate acidity, a gently savoury finish. Nothing sweet or ingratiating. Alc: 13.3%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Follow the Line 2024
Price: R400
94% Cinsault, 6% Syrah from Darling. 50% whole-bunch fermentation; matured for 12 months in foudre and amphora. Heady aromatics of strawberry, raspberry, rose, herbs and white pepper. The palate is vinous – not too light or facile – with pure fruit, bright acidity and powdery tannins, the finish long and dry. Already quite open and accessible. Alc: 13.1%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Thief in the Night 2024
Price: R400
91% Grenache, 9% Cinsault from Piekenierskloof. 20% whole-bunch fermentation; matured for 10 months in concrete egg and older 500-litre barrels. Red and black berries, floral perfume and some flinty reduction on the nose. The palate is robust, rich and round with succulent, sweet fruit, soft but sufficient acidity and fine tannins, the finish gently savoury. Alc: 14.3%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Girl Next Door 2024
Price: R510
Syrah from two Cape Peninsula vineyards, one in Fish Hoek and the other in Noordhoek. 50% whole-bunch fermentation; matured for 10 months in foudre and older 500-litre barrels. Black berries, violets, fynbos, black pepper and flinty reduction on the nose. The palate shows composure and structure – pure fruit, lemon-like acidity and powdery tannins. Not insubstantial despite a modest alcohol of 13.2%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Are We There Yet 2024
Price: R400
57% Syrah, 43% Touriga Nacional from Malgas. 10% of the Syrah left as whole bunches. Matured for 10 months in older 500-litre barrels. Red and black berries, fynbos, flowers and pepper on the nose. Great fruit density, bright acidity and crunchy tannins, the finish nicely dry. Still intensely flavourful but showing increasing composure with each passing vintage. Alc: 13.1%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Not Tonight Josephine 2024
Price: R510 per 375ml bottle
Chenin Blanc from a young, trellised vineyard in Piekenierskloof. Grapes sundried for two to three weeks. Extraordinary aromatics of dried peach and apricot, pineapple, straw, potpourri, fynbos and a hint of honey. The palate is super-concentrated and slightly greasy in texture but not overly unctuous, thanks to bracing acidity. Very expressive and engaging. Alc: 8.3%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.