A wine from Stellenbosch, South Africa – in fact 100% Syrah… although labelled as ‘red’ – so you might be expecting a blend. Inkily dark ruby-tinged black in the glass. Bags of roasted spice, terracotta, savoury smoked meat, peppercorn and autumn leaves overlaid on raspberry, damson and red cherry fruits. Much calmer and measured into the palate – the peppery spice persists, but there’s more minerality to the fore now. Gravel and graphite mingle with chalky tannins, adding complexity and density – is the mineral from the very subtle oak, or the tannin, or just terroir? Racy acidity and crunchy fruit notes seem made for one another, the ripeness starting to bloom as the wine slowly opens up. Concentrated, and distinctly ‘old world’ there’s a bit to unpack here – give it time, and be rewarded. 95pts
Savage ‘Red’ 2019
