About
Formerly the winemaker at Cape Point Vineyards, Duncan Savage introduced his own label in 2011. Savage’s goal is just to facilitate a few rock-solid classic and elegant wines. Over the years at Cape Point, Duncan has been able to understand maritime vineyards a little better and have thus opted to source grapes for Savage from maritime and altitude sites. Inspiration has also come from many great older reds from South Africa and abroad that have stood the test of time with moderate alcohol and extraction.
Salt River
Western Cape
Harvest & Vintage Notes
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.
Scores
2020 Greg Sherwood 93+
Savage White
Western Cape
Harvest & Vintage Notes
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.
Scores
2014 Wine Spectator 93
2014 Tim Atkin 95
2019 Vinous 93
Never Been Asked To Dance
Western Cape
Harvest & Vintage Notes
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.
Scores
2018 Wine Spectator 94
2018 Tim Atkin 93
2020 Tim Atkin 96
Not Tonight Josephine
Western Cape
Harvest & Vintage Notes
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.
Scores
TBA
Savage Red
Western Cape
Harvest & Vintage Notes
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.
Scores
2015 Vinous 92
2018 Wine Spectator 91
2019 Tim Atkin 95
Follow The Line
Western Cape
Harvest & Vintage Notes
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.
Scores
2018 Wine Spectator 93
2019 Tim Atkin 94
2020 Tim Atkin 94
Thief In The Night
Western Cape
Harvest & Vintage Notes
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.
Scores
2017 Wine Spectator 92
2017 Tim Atkin 94
2019 Tim Atkin 94
Are We There Yet
Western Cape
Harvest & Vintage Notes
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.
Scores
2018 Tim Atkin 93
2019 Tim Atkin 94
2020 Tim Atkin 93