SAVAGE RED 2020

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.

Though originally a blend, Savage’s Red is now pure Syrah sourced from two sites, one in Stellenbosch and the other in the Swartland. This is an incredibly focused, Rhône-esque expression of Syrah, with wonderful notes of red and black fruits, white pepper and dried flowers. Plush yet tempered by pinpoint acidity and an ultrafine web of tannins, this is a sure-fire keeper for the cellar.

96/100 Christian Eedes, winemag.co.za, August 2022 (2020 Vintage)
"From a Stellenbosch vineyard on decomposed granite. 50% whole-bunch fermentation while maturation lasts 12 months in old 500-litre barrels before a further 10 months in foudre. Heady aromatics with top notes of musk and violets before red and black berries plus pepper. The palate shows great fruit density, fresh acidity and fine tannins. A refined, seamless wine – very good structure without being too weighty or forceful."

95/100 Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front, April 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Very expressive, you know you’re in for a treat. Interesting quality of black pepper laced gingerbread and savoury toast with a gritty earthy note on the nose. It’s bold and bloody with dark fruits, dried herbs, violets and black olive tapenade. A strong iodine line cuts through the load of fine tannins leaving a long oyster shell like finish. It’s the kind of electric/steely tension of acidity and minerality fused together. A beautiful wilderness locked in a glass."