Savage Thief in the Night 2021

The Thief in the Night cuvee is a wine that increasingly pushes the solo message of premium Grenache despite still having minor blend components of 7.5% Syrah and 6.5% Cinsault, the ‘salt and pepper’ of the wine. This beautifully pristine Piekenierskloof Grenache from dry farmed bush vines grown on sandstone soils underwent spontaneous fermentation with 10 to 20% whole clusters before being basket pressed after two weeks on the skins into neutral foudre for 10 months ageing. Always striving for freshness and purity, Duncan Savage has created another beautiful expression with pristine aromatics of pressed rose petals, earthy bramble berries, freshly cut hedgerow, strawberry compote and dried thyme. On the palate, the acids are taut and fresh creating a glassy, linear tension with notes of red liquorice, blood and iron and salty kelp over savoury, sappy red currant and pomegranate fruit nuances. This is a wine with impressive focus and intensity, suave tannins and a crunchy freshness that invigorates the palate and invites one sip after the next. 2021 signals a return to more Rhone-like characters on a wine that will drink well on release and over the next 8 to 10+ years. (4,624 bottles produced.) Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW

“The 2021 Thief In The Night is a blend of 86% Grenache with Cinsault and Syrah from a vineyard that is the source of Sadie’s Soldaat label. It has a lovely bouquet with red cherries, crushed strawberry and rose petal, just a little medicinal thanks to a splash of eucalyptus. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm grip and density, dark berries and touches of black pepper and graphite, the 10-20% whole bunch guiding the finish. Hints of marmalade on the aftertaste, this Thief will need a couple of years behind bars before being released (from bottle)”. 94 points – Neal Martin, Vinous