SIZE
6 PACK, 750ml BOTTLES, $74.99 EACH
PRODUCER
Savage Wines
VINTAGE
2023
COLOUR
red
REGION, COUNTRY
Western Cape, South Africa
GRAPE
syrah
98 points, Wine Mag
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%.
94 points, Broadbent
Made from two Syrah vineyards, including a new parcel near Cape Point Vineyards, this cuvée includes around 50% whole cluster. It has a very perfumed nose with raspberry, wild strawberry, Dorset plum, and spice-box notes, evolving into more floral aromas over time. The medium-bodied palate is full of crunchy red berry fruit and fine backbone, leading to an impressively structured yet elegant, saline finish
Duncan Savage was the winemaker at Cape Point Vineyards' for 14 vintages. In 2011, he started his own label on the side. Through his time at Cape Point, Duncan grew to understand maritime vineyards and crafted a reputation for profound and saline whites with great aging potential; this led him to source grapes for his own project, Savage Wines, from similar maritime and high altitude sites. His wines were met with great acclaim and in 2016 he quit his job to turn his attention to his namesake project. At first he created wine by borrowing other people's wineries but today he uses his own winery in Salt River, Cape Town. Duncan is no doubt one of the best winemakers in South Africa. In fact, Tim Atkin (MW) has proclaimed, "Duncan Savage thinks he hasn't hit his full potential yet. Heaven help his rivals when he does.
97+ Points, Greg Sherwood MW (previous vintage)
Unless you are completely new to Duncan Savage’s range of wines, this incredible cuvee will need no introduction at all. Made in miniscule quantities from the most salty, wind swept and battered 0.38 hectare Syrah vineyard plot near Fishhoek, these gnarled 14 year old trellised vines planted on sandy gravel soils for ornamental value originally, have latterly provided some of the finest Syrah grapes in the entire Western Cape. This labour of love for Duncan sees 50% whole bunches employed in fermentation followed by two weeks maceration on skins, malolactic fermentation in 600 litre neutral French oak barrels and finally a further 11 months maturation in barrels. The aromatics are suggestive but initially offer up a shy, retiring bouquet of dark damson plums, Kalamata olives, sweet savoury cured meats, Tuscan wild bore sausage nuances, sweet green peppercorns, dried coriander and a lovely subtle waft of lavender blossom perfume. The front and sides of the palate bristle with mouth watering crystalline pure fresh acids, a seamlessly plump fleshy opulence and the most suave, sophisticated, lithe concentration and fruit density. While many high quality premium wines become sought after purely based on scarcity, I would suggest that the overriding factor for the Girl Next Door’s cult following is the undeniable knowledge that if Duncan is going to bother making this wine in such small quantities, he has to believe heart and soul that this vineyard has something very, very special to offer in the context of world class Syrah. Mouth coating and utterly entrancing, this is next level Syrah indeed. Drink from release and over the next 12+ years. (1,500 bottles produced.)
