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,
the sorting table and lots of activity in the
packaging area, so good to see
and those large oak barrels
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2018
