Savage Masterpiece Tasting Set

One winemaker, six sites, one signature style

Duncan Savage is among South Africa’s most sought-after winemakers. After 14 vintages as head winemaker at Cape Point Vineyards, he launched his own label in 2011, now based in a cellar in the heart of Cape Town. His time on the coast still shapes his philosophy today: he specifically seeks out cool, maritime, and high-altitude vineyards across the Western Cape to craft wines of precision, purity, and elegance, often using a high proportion of whole bunches and aging them in large, seasoned oak. This set features two whites and four reds, ranging from a Chenin planted in 1956 to Syrah from the Cape Peninsula. A collection for anyone wanting to experience the new generation of the Cape in all its finesse.

The six bottles in the set

• Savage Never Been Asked To Dance Chenin Blanc 2024 From dry-farmed bush vines planted in 1956 on weathered granite in Paarl—a vineyard that was once slated to be cleared. Herbs, straw, citrus, and peach; very rich yet lively, with a salty, lightly textured finish.
• Savage White 2024 A white Bordeaux-style blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon from Stellenbosch, the Overberg, and Villiersdorp. White peach, blackcurrant leaf, pineapple, pear, and grapefruit, plus a fine flinty note and subtle oak spice.
• Savage Girl Next Door Syrah 2024 One of the country's most coveted Syrahs, from two sites on the Cape Peninsula in Fish Hoek and Noordhoek. One of the parcels was originally planted only as ornamental landscaping between residential houses. Crisp red berries, fine structure, and a salty finish.
• Savage Red 2023 Pure Syrah from weathered granite in Kuils River in the Polkadraai area. Red berries, rose, fynbos, and white pepper; light-footed and elegant, with vibrant acidity and powdery tannins.
• Savage Follow The Line 2024 Cinsault from dry-farmed vines on granite in Darling, with a touch of Syrah. Strawberry, raspberry, rose, herbs, and white pepper; open and accessible, yet by no means light. A red wine for Pinot Noir lovers.
• Savage Are We There Yet 2023 An unusual blend of Syrah and the Portuguese variety Touriga Nacional from Malgas on the southern Cape coast. Red and black berries, fynbos, floral notes, and pepper, with dense fruit, bright acidity, and crisp tannins.

At a glance: 6 bottles of 0.75 l each, two white wines and four red wines, South Africa, dry. Best served slightly chilled at 14 to 16 degrees Celsius for the red wines and 10 to 12 degrees for the white wines.

Vinification

• Savage Never Been Asked To Dance Chenin Blanc 2024: 100% Chenin Blanc from bush vines (planted 1956) on weathered granite. Whole-bunch pressed with oxidative juice treatment, spontaneous fermentation, and malolactic fermentation. 10 months in old 600-liter Stockinger barrels. Paarl.
• Savage White 2024: 71% Sauvignon Blanc, 29% Sémillon. 12 months in 500-liter barrels (20% new) and concrete eggs, followed by two months in stainless steel. Stellenbosch, Overberg, Villiersdorp.
• Savage Girl Next Door Syrah 2024: 100% Syrah from two sites in Fish Hoek and Noordhoek. Fermentation partially with whole bunches. Cape Peninsula.
• Savage Red 2023: 100% Syrah from weathered granite. Partially whole-bunch fermented, 13 months in old 500-liter barrels. Kuils River (Polkadraai).
• Savage Follow The Line 2024: 94% Cinsault, 6% Syrah from dry-farmed vines on granite. 50% whole bunches, around two weeks of skin contact. 12 months in foudres and amphorae. Darling.
• Savage Are We There Yet 2023: Syrah and Touriga Nacional (ratios vary by vintage). A small portion of the Syrah fermented as whole bunches, aged in older 500-liter barrels. Malgas (Cape South Coast).

Pairs well with: Rack of lamb, game birds, rabbit, charcuterie, grilled tuna, mushroom risotto, roast chicken; grilled fish and scallops for the whites, creamy cheeses, and long evenings where wine is the center of attention.