Savage Red 2024

Stellenbosch Syrah | Granite Soils | Duncan Savage

The Savage Red 2024 is the flagship red from acclaimed South African winemaker Duncan Savage, and since the 2017 vintage it has been produced as a 100% Syrah rather than the multi-varietal blend used in earlier releases.

The 2024 is sourced from two decomposed-granite sites, one in Stellenbosch and another in the Swartland. The Stellenbosch component comes from trellised vines, while the Swartland component is sourced from dry-farmed bush vines. This granite influence, combined with Savage's restrained approach in the cellar, produces a Syrah focused on perfume, freshness, peppery spice and mineral tension rather than sheer power. 

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep ruby-red with bright crimson and violet highlights.

Nose: Highly perfumed, with violets and rose petals leading into blackberry, black cherry and dark plum. Classic Syrah notes of cracked black pepper, wild herbs and subtle fynbos sit alongside a stony, mineral character associated with the decomposed-granite vineyards.

Palate: Medium-bodied, precise and savoury. Dark berry fruit is balanced by pepper, herbs and fine mineral notes, with fresh acidity giving the wine excellent energy. The tannins are structured but refined, allowing the fruit and spice to remain clear and focused.

Finish: Long, dry and savoury, with lingering blackberry, violet, pepper and crushed-stone minerality.

Technical Details

• Producer: Savage Wines
• Winemaker: Duncan Savage
• Vintage: 2024
• Country: South Africa
• Region: Western Cape
• Variety: 100% Syrah
• Vineyard Sources: Stellenbosch & Swartland
• Soils: Decomposed granite
• Viticulture: Trellised vines & dry-farmed bush vines
• Style: Dry red wine
• Oak: Seasoned/older oak
• ABV: 13,5%
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Closure: Cork

Winemaking

Savage Red is made with an emphasis on minimal intervention and preserving vineyard character. Duncan Savage has traditionally incorporated a substantial proportion of whole bunches in this wine, followed by gentle extraction and maturation in seasoned larger-format oak.

Recent vintages demonstrate the approach particularly well: the 2022 spent its first year in old 500-litre barrels followed by further maturation in larger foudre, while the 2023 used 50% whole-bunch fermentation and spent 13 months in old 500-litre barrels.

The objective isn't to make a heavily extracted or oak-dominated Shiraz. Instead, Savage aims for freshness, perfume, savoury complexity and fine tannin structure, allowing the Syrah and granite terroir to remain at the forefront.

Food Pairing

Serve at around 16–18°C, ideally after 30–60 minutes in a decanter.

Excellent with grilled lamb and rosemary, pepper-crusted steak, venison, duck, braaied meats and mushroom dishes. The peppery, savoury character of Syrah makes it particularly good with dishes featuring herbs, smoke or char.

Buyer's & Collector's Note

Savage Red has evolved into one of Duncan Savage's most serious wines. What originally began as a red blend has been 100% Syrah since 2017, with the focus increasingly placed on granite-grown fruit and restrained winemaking. 

For those who enjoy Porseleinberg, Rall AVA Syrah, Mullineux Schist Syrah or other premium Cape Syrahs, Savage Red 2024 is a compelling addition to the cellar: elegant, peppery and mineral-driven rather than big or heavily oaked, with the structure to develop beautifully in bottle.