In Stock: Savage...

Tim Atkin MW has just released his annual South African 2022 Special Report and he has named Duncan Savage "Winemaker of the Year". As we all know, Duncan has been consistently producing outstanding wines under his own label so he certainly deserves all the accolades, and he's a really nice guy too! We received his latest releases this week and they are almost sold out already, so if anyone is looking for them it is best to make a quick call at 0283132047.

Tip of the Week - buy the book! Tim Atkin's 316-page Special Report where he tastes 2282 wines from 433 wineries. There is a wealth of information and for only 20 quid (approx R400) it is well worth it.  

SAVAGE WHITE 2021: (TASTING NOTE by Greg Sherwood MW) Savage White is a blend with 69% Sauvignon Blanc and 31% Semillon from trellised and bush vine vineyards around the Western Cape. Whole bunch pressing and oxidative handling of the must is followed by a natural fermentation, with the Semillon portion going through malolactic fermentation. 2021 was another cracking white wine vintage and this release sees the Savage White reach new levels of textural lavishness and palate breadth. The aromatics are rich and expressive with multiple layers of grapefruit preserve, peach tea, green apple pastille and delicate hints of chamomile, honey and pineapple. In the mouth the wine rolls across the palate with an impressively dense glycerol weight of fruit together with the most delicious tangy mouth-watering acids. The wine spent 10 months in oak, 20% new, which adds a very attractive but subtle lick of crystallised tangerines, vanilla pod spice and a waxy liquid minerality on the finish. Drink from release and over 8 to 10+ years.

SAVAGE RED 2020: (TASTING NOTE by Greg Sherwood MW) The Savage Red 2020 is a pure Syrah sourced exclusively from prime organically grown Stellenbosch vineyards planted on decomposed granite soils. The grapes were spontaneously fermented from wild yeasts using 50% whole clusters spending 3 to 4 weeks on skins. The wine spends 12 months in 500 litre barrels followed by a further 10 months in foudre. Despite all the dark youthful broody density, the wine displays a gloriously perfumed aromatic profile that rises out the glass effortlessly to reveal expressive notes of lavender, sweet lilies, ripe red plum, stewed mulberries and strawberry compote before singed sandalwood, dried rosemary and thyme herbal nuances. The palate is broad and elegantly textured with plenty of sweet, sumptuous upfront red and black berry fruits, a savoury steak tartar meaty complexity, black peppercorns and a granitic infused mineral finish. Wonderfully polished sweet plush tannins make this a seriously generous wine that will offer rewarding drinking on release, but that will undoubtedly be cellar worthy for another 10 to 12+ years of development.

FOLLOW THE LINE 2021: (TASTING NOTE by Greg Sherwood MW) Cinsault sourced from 40 year old dry farmed bush vines in the ward of Darling, grown on decomposed granite soils. Grapes were spontaneously fermented using 50% whole clusters before being basket pressed into neutral foudre for 10 months of ageing. The 2021 reaches 93% Cinsault with a modest 7% of Syrah blended in to yield a wine that is deep, dark and very serious on the nose, boasting layers of cranberries, dried strawberries, red currants and subtle perfumed hints of rose petals and violets. While the aromatics might be slightly shyer than usual, the palate displays a wonderfully toasty, savoury depth of red and black berry fruits, cherry cordial, wild strawberry and a sappy, spicy finish. There is plenty of depth with supporting structure but also an accessibility with a delicious dark fruited opulence. Drink now or over the next 10 to 12+ years.

THIEF IN THE NIGHT 2021: (TASTING NOTE by Greg Sherwood MW) 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 into neutral foudre for 10 months ageing. The wine is another beautiful expression of purity 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.

GIRL NEXT DOOR 2021: (TASTING NOTE by Greg Sherwood MW) The Girl next door is a 0.38ha 16-year-old trellised vineyard grown on sandy gravel soils, that was originally planted for ornamental purposes. This 100% Syrah underwent spontaneous fermentation using 50% whole clusters before being basket pressed into neutral foudre for 10 months of ageing. This 2021 expression shows plenty of attention to detail, with lofty perfumed aromatics of pressed violets and cherry blossom followed by pure pristine notes of black cherries, black plum, pink musk, graphite and subtle cherry cola nuances. Already beautifully intense and generously fruit forward, there is also incredible clarity and focus on the palate, with an overwhelmingly salty maritime twang that combines with a juicy mouth-watering acidity to give the wine striking drive and power, all executed in the most elegant and

harmonious manner. Not too savoury or meaty, this fine boned wine excels on its purity of fruit and textural finesse. Drink from release and over the next 10 to 15+ years.

ARE WE THERE YET 2021 50% Touriga Nacional, 50% Syrah: (TASTING NOTE by Greg Sherwood MW) A Malgas red blend from 16-year-old bush vines grown on a unique river pebble on shale soil terroir. The 2021 saw a spontaneous fermentation using 10% whole clusters before being basket pressed into old 500 litre barrels where it was aged for 10 months. On the nose the aromatics are delightfully dark and brooding, slowly revealing notes of black cherry, blueberry and blackcurrant intertwined with hints of nori seaweed, salty liquorice, cured meats and graphite minerality. As with many of the 2021 reds, there is at once fabulous fruit depth, intensity and freshness together with a seamlessly harmonious textural palate with the most creamy of tannins enlivened by a tangy, juicy acidity that simply melts away slowly into the dark fruit opulence. Drink this on release and over the next 8 to 10+ years.

NEVER BEEN ASKED TO DANCE 2021: (TASTING NOTE by Greg Sherwood MW) Chenin Blanc from 68-year-old dry farmed bush vines grown on decomposed granite soils in Paarl. Grapes were whole bunch pressed with oxidative juice handling before a natural fermentation and malolactic fermentation, followed by 10 months ageing in old 600 litre Stockinger barrels. In this exceptional vintage, all the classical aromatics are on show with layers of complex crushed granite, struck flint, wet stone together with pithy white peach, dried baking herbs, fynbos and dry summer bushveld. On the palate there is an incredibly fresh, energising acidity that adds a wonderful frame to the rich textural concentration of yellow summer orchard fruits, pineapple pastille, toasted almonds, white peach and apple puree nuances. Drink on release and over 15+ years.

NOT TONIGHT JOSEPHINE 2021: TASTING NOTE by Greg Sherwood MW) First produced in 2018, the 2021 is only the third release of this sweet straw wine elixir made from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes from vines grown on rocky sandstone soils in the Piekenierskloof. The grapes were dried for three weeks and then foot stomped for 5 days, before being basket pressed into a 225 litre barrel and glass demijohn for fermentation and ageing. Made in incredibly small quantities, this specialty dessert wine offers up a profusion of fruit and floral aromatics ranging from dried apricots, honey, caramelized mango, tarte tatin and a hint of salted caramel. On the palate the wine is sumptuous and weightlessly silky soft, rolling over the tongue like melted honey infused with notes of dried peaches, crystallised mango and caramelized pineapples in liquor. Fabulously luxurious and decadent, this wine is also beautifully balanced with the perfect acid - sugar symmetry (RS 352 g/l). Drink now and over the next 20+ years.

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Please note that our website does not show the complete range of wine that we have in stock, so please do contact us if you are looking for something not listed online, especially those that are 'allocation' only. A reminder of our website: www.wineandco.co.za/shop  

We offer free delivery in and around Hermanus, and free shipping to major centres around South Africa for orders over R1600.

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About Us

Have you ever heard about a great wine but could never find a bottle for yourself (to share with friends, of course)? Well, the team at Wine & Company do all the hard work for you! We visit wine farms and attend tastings to find, taste, and then stock wine from the smaller Estates and independent winemakers who buy grapes and produce outstanding wine under their own labels – much the same as the French negociants have been doing for centuries. Given that these winemakers make wine in such small quantities, sometimes just a single barrel, their wine will never be found on the shelves of the major retailers, but only in specialist shops like Wine & Company on High Street, Hermanus.

In addition to the great selection of well-known wines and MCC's, we also stock local craft gin and beer, French Champagne, Belgian Ales as well as whisky and other spirits. Wine & Company (established in 1998 by Bartho Eksteen) has a well-earned reputation for stocking hard-to-find small-batch wines and we strive to continue this great tradition. If you purchase a bottle of wine from us and it is faulty we will gladly replace the bottle and return the faulty wine to the winemaker.

Feel free to contact Wine & Company if you need a particular wine and we will do our best to source it for you. We are also able to ship wine locally and to most countries so do ask about international shipping.

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