Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

2015:
‘Re-invented 2015, now a Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Clairette Blanche and Chenin Blanc blend sourced from far-flung vineyards and fermented naturally in old barrels, brings richness and texture to the fore. Elegantly poised and almost mystically complex, a classic in the making.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5*

‘This alluring white displays a mix of shortbread and lemon curd flavors that lean toward the rich side, set against verbena, honeysuckle and wet stone accents that impart brightness and freshness. The long finish knits the two elements together nicely. Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Clairette Blanche and Chenin Blanc.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Feb 2017)

‘Bright, pale yellow with a green tinge. Reticent but complex nose suggests green topical fruits, nuts oils, menthol and a minty topnote. Intensely flavored, dense and penetrating, with lovely brisk acidity giving definition and thrust to the complex, spicy flavors. This wine shows tantalizing complexity and a suggestion of lemon drop sweetness but is not really about fruit today. The long, rising finish is both bracing and thoroughly ripe. Terrific energy and salinity here.’ - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 93/100 (Mar 2017)

‘Duncan Savage’s brilliant white blend now includes four varieties, instead of two: mostly Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon with 11% Clairette and 9% Chenin Blanc. Savoury, smoky and packed with favour, it’s tangy, zesty and leesy, with a backdrop of older oak.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2016, 95/100

‘Zesty, herbal and rocky. Dry but powerful with a cedar/sour freshness on the finish that seems more about origin than variety. Ripe pear and quince fruit but bone dry with a rich depth to the texture and terrific length.’ - Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Oct 2016)

2017:
‘Same sauvignon, semillon, chenin mix, fermented, aged in older oak. 2017 flavoursome white peach, apple blossom layered on well-textured waxy base. Enlivening natural acid adds length to delicious savoury tail. Whole greater than sum of its parts.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2019, 5* (95/100)

‘Captivating flavors of marzipan and cardamom frame the lemon cream, baked apple and chamomile notes in this enticing white. This is light- to medium-bodied, featuring vibrant acidity that joins the mineral elements for a lively finish. Built to age gracefully, but delicious now. Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Chenin Blanc. Drink now through 2026.’ – James Molesworh, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Jun 2019)

‘The nose is already very expressive with complex aromatics of freshly baked apple crumble drizzled in honey, orange blossom, tangerine peel, yellow orchard fruits and a delicious passion fruit twist. But like many 2017 whites, there is a real clarity and focus to the wine along with a defined core of dusty granitic minerality. The entry on the palate reveals the tart, vibrantly fresh characteristics of the Sauvignon Blanc and the Semillon, that awaken the palate with zesty yellow grapefruit, lanolin, honied white peaches and Granny Smith apple puree notes. Classic higher altitude vineyard nuances ensure this wine retains incredible intensity together with a fleshy, creamy lemon pie concentration underpinned by a cool, dusty, stony minerality. Powerful without being brutish, linear and focused without being lean. This is another wonderful flagship white blend from the Savage winery that continues the great run of form for this cuvee. Drink from 2018 to 2030+’ – Greg Sherwood MW, 94/100 (Aug 2018)

‘“Just epic” is how Duncan Savage describes the 2017 vintage. This has moved away from its Sauvignon/Semillon origins to include the highest ever proportion (18%) of Chenin Blanc. Leesy and rich, with some phenolics, nuanced oak, sweet glycerol notes and balancing acidity. 2018-23’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 93/100

2019:
‘Usual sauvignon, semillon, chenin blend strikingly delivered in standout 2019. Aromatically complex dried figs, tangerine & tropical tones fleshed out by languorous richness & sliced by steely acid. Twist of grip further ensures future potential. Natural ferment, like 2018 (4.5 stars, 94 pts), 50/50 old oak, concrete ‘egg’. WO W Cape.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (95/100)

‘The 2019 White Savage is hand-sorted before being processed into Nomblot concrete tanks for alcoholic fermentation; 30% of the grapes are left whole bunch. It has an intense nose, not overt fruit but rather scents of wet wool, candle wax and lanolin, all beautifully defined. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, a slightly waxy texture and touches of cereal and grilled hazelnut toward the persistent finish. It is not a wine for every palate, but those who like it will love it.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 93/100 (Apr 2021)

‘The 2019’s taut, smoky bouquet shows a slightly reductive liquid minerality that is utterly captivating, slowly unfurling layer upon layer in the glass. The initial petrichor notes of wet slate give way to crushed granite and dusty gravel nuances underpinned by aromatics of waxy green apples, dried fynbos, peach stone fruits and pithy white citrus. Initially dominated by the Sauvignon Blanc and creamy grapefruit notes of the Semillon, a little time in the glass eventually sees the Chenin Blanc component assert itself with hints of bruised yellow orchard fruits and a soft, pineapple pastille kiss. On the palate, the unmistakable Duncan Savage hallmark brilliance again shines with an outstanding balance and harmony, highlighting his masterful blending of these three white varieties. At once fresh, bright and supremely pure fruited, the 2019 Savage white is all about textural finesse, seamless equilibrium and pinpoint precision. The finish is long, persistent and intensely concentrated throwing out yet more teasing notes of passion fruit, white peach and candied pineapple. A very, very smart white blend in anyone’s language. Drink from release and over 10-12+ years.’ – Greg Sherwood MW, 95+/100 (Aug 2020)

‘"Textured, just like 2017," is how Duncan Savage describes the 2019 release of this seamless cuvée of Sauvignon Blanc with 20% Semillon and 17% Chenin Blanc. With grapes from Elandskloof at its core, this is stony, pithy and grapefruity, with subtle oak, waxy richness from full malolactic and lees contact and a saline finish. 2021-26’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 93/100