Rhône theme
Timed Online Auction, 30 January - 10 February 2025
Rhône - South Africa
About the SessionOver the past decade South African Rhône-style offerings have witnessed an explosion in popularity, led by the Swartland in the 2010s and subsequently spreading across the Cape.
About this Item
Duncan Savage, a trailblazing winemaker, produces some of SA’s most sought-after wines. They are something of a contradiction; ‘savage’ in their essence of minimal intervention winemaking, but utterly sophisticated in their elegance, drinkability and poise. Every year his following grows, with some of these wines reaching a cult-like status, and Savage now well positioned amongst the best in South Africa. He sources grapes from across the Western Cape winelands and his cellars are based in Salt River.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
'Released after 2016, 2015 held back for extended oak ageing (30 months) to allow for evolution. Still not short of power & structure in its Syrah-led mix with Touriga, Cinsaut & grenache, whose sweetly spiced, elegant fruit will easily bide time needed to harmonise. Open fermenters for reds, 50% whole bunches unless noted. Old oak, various sizes. Unfined.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (93/100)
‘The 2015 Savage Red is actually being released after the 2016 and marks the last release in this style, according to Duncan Savage, as the 2017 will be 100% Syrah and will move toward Stellenbosch, from 2018 tapping the vineyard purchased by Johan Reyneke adjacent to his own estate (also shared with Mark Kent of Boekenhoutskloof.) It has an extravagant bouquet, quite showy and generous, with more red fruit than black, offering wild strawberry and cranberry and hints of dried prune and incense. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, quite tight and surprisingly savory at the moment, delivering nice grip on the finish and a ferrous aftertaste. Excellent.’ - Neal Martin, Vinous, 92/100 (Aug 2018)
'Duncan Savage released his softer 2016 ahead of this more ageworthy red and it was definitely the right decision. Syrah-based with Cinsault, Touriga Nacional and Grenache, it’s still quite firm and tight, with a tannic backdrop to figgy, mulberry fruit. 2020-26.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 93/100
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