This is a lovely blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion, Clairette Blanche and Chenin Blanc from Duncan Savage. The grapes were sourced from a number of altitude and maritime vineyards around the Western Cape. As the wine slowly opens to pretty aromas of lemon zest and white peach followed by dusty minerals, honeysuckle and white floral. On the palate this has a gorgeous texture which is beautifully balanced with remarkable focus. Overall, this is a gorgeous wine which should continue to evolve and gain complexities with jusy a bit of bottle age.
HARVEST & VINTAGE NOTES Grapes are meticulously sourced from a number of altitude and maritime vineyards around the Western Cape. In the cellar, minimal intervention and old large format French Oak ensures that the essence of South African terroir is captured. “There is no doubt that Duncan Savage is one of the best white wine winemakers in South Africa. His track record speaks for itself. The 2015 must be Duncan’s most anticipated wine with the vintage lauded as possibly the best ever in SA for white wines. A Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon based blend incorporates small amounts of Clairette Blanche and Chenin Blanc. This slightly bigger blend perhaps explains the wines broader aromatic profile. There is still the dusty lemon and herb spice, yellow grapefruit and lime peel freshness, but also extra notes of white pear, white pepper, white crunchy peaches and green apple zest. The pithy minerality of crushed gravel underpins both the nose and palate and there’s an almost German, Pfalz-like strawberries and vanilla ice cream exotism in play. The palate is bold, intense and concentrated with pithy gravelly notes balanced by massive fruit concentration and length. The vintage’s sublime quality is indeed standing up to be counted! Duncan has perfectly captured the essence of 2015’s greatness. The wine is classical, measured, restrained and fresh. It unlocks its hallmark lemon and pineapple pastille fruit character on the long, intense finish. A truly grand expression that will demand its place in your cellar. Could this be Duncan’s greatest white expression to date? Drink now to 2028+” —96/100 Greg Sherwood MW
