Duncan Savage, Salt River, 2023

Elderflower, Gooseberry, Whitepepper

Western Cape  / White / Sauvignon Blanc / Organic, Biodynamic

The 2022 Salt River combines fruit from a 32 year old bushvine vineyard in Stellenbosch and another coastal site in Walker Bay. Named for the trendy area of Cape Town that Savage Wines calls home. Elegant and fine Sauvignon that is an absolute steal at the price. 

Notes on the producer

It was this surfer-turned winemaking maestro who established the stellar, Platter’s Wine Guide-wowing reputation of Cape Point Vineyards. That was until 2016, when he boldly struck out alone to make the wines he always wanted to.

Throughout his time at Cape Point, Duncan grew to understand coastal sites, and has continued to seek out maritime and high elevation sites across the Western Cape. Some of his sites can be rather surprising - his Syrah parcel that goes in to the Girl Next Door was only planted on a local residential estate for decorative purposes - a bit of flora between the houses., and yet it's one of SA's most sought-after wines! And then there's the Piekenierskloof Grenache that goes into Thief in the Night, the very same vineyard that goes into Eben Sadie's Soldaat.

Duncan Savage is the most awarded winemaker in South Africa for the Sauvignon Blanc (and Semillon) variety.  He's also regarded by peers as the best there is with the grape. Even Eben Sadie shares this view.  He learned from the legend, Didier Dagueneau, who took Pouilly-Fume to new heights, and honed his techniques at Cape Point, for whom he made Platter 5-star wine after Platter five-star wine, and which he left in 2016 to concentrate on his own range, Savage Wines. They are now one of the most sought after wines in South Africa.

The wines may be Savage by name but they are anything but savage in character: poise, purity and elegance are the bywords here.