South Africa
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Cape Town
Our Story
Duncan Savage developed a reputation for making profound, mineral-driven white wines with aging potential from interesting, exposed terroirs, and in 2011 he began his own project, Savage Wines, in tandem with his then-day job. The Savage Wines were met with great critical acclaim and in 2016 he made them his full-time endeavor. He buys grapes and leases vineyards with old varietals in interesting sites all over the Western Cape. His recently completed winery is an urban space in Salt River, Cape Town.
Stylistically he focuses on freshness and elegance, crafting wines that are restrained, with lower alcohols. He likes to pick early, looking for acidity, using whole clusters where appropriate, and old vines wherever possible.
Wines
Are We There Yet
Savage
Western Cape
A three hour drive down the Breede River to Malgas will make you ask if you are there yet. Pebble and shale soils for this Touriga Nacional and Syrah blend. Benefits from aging. Blue and black fruits, licorice, velvety.
Follow The Line
Savage
Western Cape
The Cinsault that was originally blended into Savage Red. Planted in 1982 with the only marker of the vineyard is a telephone pole, hence follow the line to the fruit. 40 year old dry farmed bush vines on decomposed granite soils in Darling. Cherry blossom, rose petals, ethereal.
Girl Next Door
Savage
Western Cape
Duncan Savage's "Girl Next Door" is a refined take on South African Syrah, offering a lithe, peppery, and elegant profile. It features flavors of rose petal, black cherry, fresh herbs, spice, and pepper, striking a wonderful balance without being overly ripe or heavy. Produced in very limited quantities, this wine is considered one of South Africa's finest examples of Syrah.
Never Been Asked to Dance
Savage
Western Cape
The Chenin Blanc that is not fermented into Savage White goes into this beauty. Dry farmed, bush vines in Paarl are nearly 70 years old. The original Chenin for this bottling had always been picked with other vineyards and vanished into obscurity, hence the name. It makes for a good story so the name stuck. Natural fermented and aged in 600 liter Stockinger casks. Stone fruit, lemongrass, flint.
Not Tonight Josephine
Savage
Western Cape
The name has no relevance to the dried Chenin Blanc that is left on the skins (whole cluster) for 5 days and then foot stomped to start fermentation. Sandstone soils. 8% alcohol. Dried apricots, honey flower, tangy acidity.
Red
Savage
Western Cape
Starting out as a Syrah blend, but the 'other' varietals are now bottled on their own. This is wholly Stellenbosch Syrah that is organically farmed and grown on decomposed granite soils. The only wine that spends 2 years in the winery - one year in 500 liter barrels and the second in large foudre. Black cherry, earthy, cedar wood.
Salt River Sauvignon Blanc
Savage
Western Cape
Two Western Cape vineyard sites comprise this new addition to the Savage portfolio. If Duncan makes it, we want it. The combination of Stellenbosch and Sanford soils and locations gives this wine its underlying saline minerality. Fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel, concrete eggs, and older casks. Orange blossom, grapefruit, and, well, saline.
Thief In The Night
Savage
Western Cape
Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah from Piekenierskloof. Dry farmed, bush vines on sandstone derived soils. Duncan name this wine after himself, and the Grenache here is so good people do anything to get some. Co-fermented with wild yeasts. Red berries and blackberries, herby, silky tannins.
White
Savage
Western Cape
Some vintages are a unique blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Chenin Blanc and some are the traditional Savvy and Sem. Trellised and bush sandstone and granite soils. Mix of barrels and casks for fermentation and aging. Citrus, chamomile, textured.
Featured Stories
Duncan Savage’s 2023 Vintage Vinous Feature
During his recent visit, renowned wine critic Neil Martin was deeply impressed with Savage’s 2023 releases...
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