Savage “Girl Next Door” 2019

“Made in miniscule quantities from a salty, windswept and battered 0.38 hectare Syrah vineyard near Fish Hoek in Cape Town. These gnarled 14 year old trellised vines planted on sandy gravel soils for ornamental value originally, have come to provide some of the finest Syrah grapes in the entire Western Cape. This labour of love sees 50% whole bunches employed in fermentation followed by two weeks maceration on skins. Malolactic fermentation takes place in 600 litre neutral French oak barrels followed by a further 11 months maturation. The aromatics are suggestive but initially offer up a shy, retiring bouquet of dark damson plums, Kalamata olives, sweet savoury cured meats, Tuscan wild boar sausage nuances, sweet green peppercorns, dried coriander and a lovely subtle waft of lavender blossom perfume. The front and sides of the palate bristle with mouth watering crystalline pure fresh acids, a seamlessly plump fleshy opulence and the most suave, sophisticated, lithe concentration and fruit density. Mouth coating and utterly entrancing, Drink from release and over the next 10+ years.” – Greg Sherwood MW