Savage Wines ‘Never Been Asked to Dance’

Savage Wines Follow The Line: Cinsault with serious charm

Savage Wines Follow The Line is a beautifully expressive South African red built around Cinsault from old, dry-farmed bush vines in Darling. Light on its feet but far from simple, this is all about perfume, freshness and finely drawn fruit rather than weight or power. If you love elegant Pinot Noir, fragrant lighter reds or wines that keep revealing more with every sip, this is very much worth exploring.

Savage Wines is the project of Duncan Savage, one of the leading names in South Africa’s modern wine scene. After building his reputation at Cape Point Vineyards, Duncan established Savage Wines to focus on carefully selected vineyards, particularly cooler and coastal-influenced sites around the Western Cape. Follow The Line comes from Darling, where old Cinsault bush vines grow on decomposed granite soils and benefit from the cooling influence of the Atlantic.

Cinsault takes centre stage here, with a small amount of Syrah adding extra shape and spice. The result is wonderfully aromatic: wild strawberry, cranberry, red cherry and plum are joined by rose petals, violets, dried herbs and a flicker of white pepper. There is a lovely savoury edge underneath the fruit too, keeping everything precise rather than overly sweet or juicy.

On the palate it feels silky and energetic, with bright acidity and fine, gently powdery tannins. The red fruit remains fresh and lifted, while subtle herbal, peppery and saline notes build towards a long, dry finish. It has enough structure to develop beautifully in bottle, but there is so much fragrance and freshness that it is difficult to resist now.

Savage Wines Follow The Line Food Pairing Suggestion:

Try it with duck breast and cherry sauce, herb-roasted pork, mushroom risotto or grilled aubergine with Mediterranean herbs. Its fresh acidity and gentle tannins are particularly good with richer dishes where you want the wine to refresh the palate rather than overpower the food. Slightly cool, it is also fantastic alongside a good charcuterie board.

About Savage Wines Follow The Line:

• Cinsault-led red with a small proportion of Syrah.
• Fruit comes from old, dry-farmed bush vines in Darling.
• The vineyard is planted on decomposed granite soils.
• An elegant, aromatic style with fresh red fruit and fine tannins.