Savage Red 2021

The 2021 Red Blend includes 70% whole clusters, matured for 13 months in 500-liter barrels and then a year in foudres. The splendid bouquet displays brambly red plummy fruit, crushed stone, bay leaf, and Japanese green tea in the background. The medium-bodied palate has a touch of menthol on the entry and fine depth. It’s fresh with a slightly powdery texture and a saline, focused, surprisingly strict finish. Excellent. Drink 2025-2042.

Duncan Savage uses grapes from three Kuils River parcels, all located on granite soils, to produce what he calls the "stalwart red" of his range. Using 70% whole bunches and 30% submerged cap fermentation, it's an intensely perfumed, grippy Syrah with white pepper and incense top notes and layers of fig, damson and blackberry fruit. Drink 2025-35.

100% Stellenbosch fruit. Intensely perfumed with pink peppercorns and redcurrants. The palate is beautifully soft and supple with more of that pretty violet note, some dried herbs and lavender with white pepper-sprinkled tannins. Drink 2025-2036.

The 2021 Proprietary Red displays a hint of flint with a kiss of reduction and spicy red fruit essences on the nose. Medium-bodied with 13.8% alcohol, the palate shows impressive depth and freshness with savory and meaty notes before delightful mineral notions of granite and floral potpourri expressions wade across the mid-palate. Currently a little nervous, give it another year in the bottle, and it should govern until its 20th birthday, perhaps even longer. Just over 13,000 bottles were produced from 70% whole-cluster Syrah. Drink 2024-2041.

Grapes sourced from the Langverwagt farm in Kuils River on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. 100% whole-bunch fermented. Matured for 13 months in older 500-litre barrels before a further 10 months in foudre. Red currant, wild strawberry, dried herbs, cured meat, pepper and spice on the nose while the palate has good fruit density, bright acidity and powdery tannins. Succulent and balanced – alcohol is 13.8%.