Savage Wines ‘Thief In The Night’

Savage Wines Thief In The Night: High-altitude Grenache with a wild side

Savage Wines Thief In The Night is a beautifully fragrant, finely structured South African red, led by Grenache grown high in the Piekenierskloof mountains. There is plenty of ripe fruit here, but this is very much the elegant side of Grenache: fresh, savoury and wonderfully expressive, with fine tannins and enough herbal spice to keep you coming back to the glass.

Duncan Savage has built a reputation for finding distinctive vineyard sites across the Western Cape and letting them speak without unnecessary weight or winemaking trickery. Thief In The Night comes from dry-farmed bush vines in Piekenierskloof, planted on sandstone soils at serious altitude. Warm days help Grenache ripen beautifully, while the cooler nights preserve the freshness that has become such a hallmark of Savage Wines.

The 2024 is predominantly Grenache with a small amount of Cinsault. Fermentation includes around 20% whole bunches, bringing extra perfume, spice and structure, before the wine spends roughly ten months in a combination of concrete egg and seasoned 500-litre barrels. The older oak keeps its influence firmly in the background, allowing the fruit and vineyard character to take centre stage.

Expect red cherry, wild strawberry and bramble alongside pomegranate, dried herbs, pepper and delicate floral notes. The palate is medium-bodied and silky, with bright freshness running through the ripe red fruit. Fine, chalky tannins provide structure without making the wine feel heavy, while savoury herbs, spice and a distinctly stony character linger on the finish. It is generous enough to enjoy now, but still wonderfully precise and energetic.

Savage Wines Thief In The Night Food Pairing Suggestion:

This is brilliant with herb-crusted lamb, grilled lamb skewers or a Moroccan-style lamb tagine, where the wine’s red fruit and savoury spice can play against the richness of the meat. Duck breast with cherry sauce is another excellent match. For a vegetarian option, try roasted aubergine with tomato, herbs and a little smoked paprika.

About Savage Wines Thief In The Night:

• Grenache-led red from high-altitude Piekenierskloof vineyards.
• Dry-farmed bush vines grown on sandstone soils.
• Fermented with approximately 20% whole bunches.
• Matured for around ten months in concrete egg and seasoned 500-litre barrels.