.: The release of the new vintage of Savage Wines

Friday, September 07, 2018

The release of the new vintage of Savage Wines

An invitation to the launch of Duncan Savage's new Vintages at the home of Savage Wines in Salt River last week. It’s his 6th vintage release and we dropped in for a taste of them

Duncan already had several trade and media people there when we arrived and the "open door" policy meant that the crowd kept changing. It was more formal the following day when people could make appointments, with a limit on the number of guests. The cellar is not large. Duncan ably kept up the pace giving different people tastings at the same time with great explanations

We do like the wines coming out of these foudres

He is also using ceramic eggs and conventional French oak barrels

This will be released next year

Can’t wait to taste this

or this

The grapes from Malgas are impressive

Another original from the Savage Surfer

He is very passionate about his wine and the making of it

We began with the Dry White 2017 which is complex and yeasty; 49% Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Semillon, 18% Chenin Blanc. Barrel fermented in old oak, there is sweet fruit, perfume and some linseed on the nose; Lynne swears she can smell the Semillon. Silky sweet ripe fruit, then good grape acidity to back it up, long flavours, rich cooked apple with crumble on the end and some soft chalk. This went through malo and leaves the mouth nicely coated with lanolin from the Semillon

Never Been Asked to Dance is 100% Chenin Blanc, a promiscuous grape that has been with a lot of wine makers says Duncan. Parisian perfume, musky wood, violets and blossom on the nose then smoky braai wood and hint of bacon. An elegant nose with sweet golden fruit on the palate and some good acid and grip. NOT a fur coat and no knickers wine. Classy

The Barrel Cellar

Next we tasted 2017 Follow the Line. 93% Cinsault 7% Syrah from a small block of 36 plus years old bush vines in Darling. Rosehips on the nose, rather pinot like as Cinsault can be, minerality and elegance; the Syrah adds the spice and colour. Lovely clean berry fruit and chalky tannins. Watch this one soar

The Thief in the Night 2017 is 48% Grenache based with 46% Cinsault, 6% Syrah added. Green herbs and tea on the nose with light whiffs of mulberry. On the palate, sweet berry fruit, red currents, strawberries; delicious. The Girl Next Door 2017. 100% Syrah, from a 12 year old wind battered vineyard which overlooks the Atlantic ocean. Light and herbaceous with some lees and a salty breeze on the nose; some rhubarb and cherry perfume as the wine opens in the glass. An elegant wine; lovely fruit, chalky tannins, built to last; black and red cherries, rhubarb, pepper, the fruit begins lighter and then gains weight

Are We There Yet? 2017 50% Touriga Nacional, 50% Syrah which were co-fermented. The grapes come from David Trafford’s Malgas vineyards. Pretty with violets, dark berries and brioche on the nose. Silky soft, rich beautiful fruit, velvety and creamy with nice chalky tannins; a wine to enjoy which will last

The last was his Savage Red 2015. 76% Syrah, 9% Cinsault, 9% Touriga Nacional, 6% Grenache. Clean and lean fruit on the nose; some richness, dark berries, blueberries and plums. Lovely mouthfeel, with lots of fruit, some juicy acids, rhubarb, raspberry and lots of red plums make this a lovely wine. Yes to aging this, but so tempting to drink now

We entered and exited through the machine room where you can see the bottling line,