SAVAGE THIEF IN THE NIGHT GRENACHE 2022

Duncan Savage established his own label in 2011 having previously been the winemaker at Cape Point Vineyards. Through careful selection of excellent vineyard sites around the Western Cape and an intuitive winemaking style, he has quickly forged a reputation as one of South Africa’s finest producers.

Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"Dry farmed bush vines grown on sandstone soils at 704m above sea level. Grapes are meticulously sorted in the winery as whole bunches, roughly 10% is excluded from year to year. Spontaneous fermentation takes place in a combination of conical foudre and open top fermenters with 20% of the fruit being retained as whole bunches. After 2 weeks on skins the fermented grapes are basket pressed followed by 10 months in foudre and older 500L barrels.

Slightly less aromatic than Follow the Line, Thief in the Night displays the purity and power of Grenache. Cherries, bramble, herbs and subtle spice with a savoury tension and firm chalky tannins. This 2022 is what we expect of the vineyard with a touch more texture and grip, a wine that will develop well over the next 10 years."

96/100 Jamie Goode, WineAnorak.com, December 2023 (2022 Vintage)
"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 Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, September 2023 (2022 Vintage)
"Billie and Erasmus van Zyl's plantings at 642 metres in painterly Piekenierskloof supplies the raw material for this enticing, high-altitude Grenache from sandstone soils. Intensely fresh, mineral and chiselled, it combines raspberry and redcurrant flavours with sinewy tannins and a long, satisfying finish."

95/100 Christian Eedes, winemag.co.za, August 2023 (2022 Vintage)
"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."

93/100 Vinous.com (2022 Vintage)
"The 2022 Thief in the Night is Savage’s Grenache from Piekenhoetskloof, courtesy of a vineyard shared with Eben Sadie that he uses to make his Soldaat. It is a spontaneous ferment, with 20% whole clusters, less than previously, aged for ten months in a 3,400-liter foudres. The nose is perfumed, very floral with rose petals and iris flowers, with slightly plush brambly redcurrant and cranberry fruit and a little sous-bois. The medium-bodied palate offers crunchy red fruit and is slightly powdery in texture with a fresh, quite sapid finish veering towards darker fruit laced with black tea and bay leaf. Superb."

91+/100 Anthony Mueller, Robert Parker.com, Wine Advocate, December 2023 (2022 Vintage)
"Predominantly Grenache with 14% Cinsault, the 2022 Thief in the Night expresses a lighter style of spiced red fruit, potpourri and dusty raspberries. Medium-bodied and 13.8% alcohol, the palate displays fine-grained tannins with succulent acidity. It will remain food friendly for years to come. It's a no-brainer and will deliver pleasure until early next decade."