Piekenierskloof Grenache | High-Altitude Bush Vines | Duncan Savage
Overview
The Savage Thief in the Night 2025 is one of Duncan Savage’s most distinctive red wines, showcasing the remarkable potential of high-altitude Grenache from Piekenierskloof.
The wine comes from dry-farmed bush vines planted on sandstone soils high in the Piekenierskloof mountains. Warm daytime conditions combined with significantly cooler nights allow the Grenache to achieve ripeness while retaining the freshness, perfume and natural acidity that have become hallmarks of Thief in the Night. Previous releases have come from parcels between roughly 600 and 700 metres above sea level.
The 2025 continues Duncan Savage’s restrained approach to Grenache: spontaneous fermentation, partial whole-bunch inclusion and maturation in neutral vessels rather than new oak. The objective is purity rather than power, resulting in a beautifully perfumed wine with red fruit, spice, fine tannins and a distinctive mineral character.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright ruby-red with translucent crimson highlights.
Nose: Fragrant and lifted, with wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry accompanied by rose petals, wild herbs and subtle fynbos. Notes of blood orange, pepper and gentle brown spice add complexity, while a stony mineral quality reflects the high-altitude sandstone terroir.
Palate: Elegant yet surprisingly concentrated. Juicy red berries and pomegranate are supported by fresh acidity and fine, chalky tannins. Grenache provides generous fruit and silky texture, while whole-bunch fermentation introduces subtle herbal notes, spice and additional structure.
Finish: Long, savoury and mineral-driven, with lingering red cherry, wild strawberry, herbs, pepper and delicate spice.
Technical Details
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Producer: Savage Wines
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Winemaker: Duncan Savage
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Vintage: 2025
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Country: South Africa
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Region: Piekenierskloof
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Principal Variety: Grenache
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Vineyard Style: High-altitude, dry-farmed bush vines
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Soils: Sandstone
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Fermentation: Spontaneous / indigenous yeast
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Whole Bunch: Partial whole-bunch fermentation
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Maturation: Approximately 10 months
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Maturation Vessels: Concrete eggs and seasoned/older oak
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Style: Dry, medium-bodied red
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Bottle Size: 750ml
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ABV: 14%
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Closure: Cork
Vineyard & Winemaking
Piekenierskloof is fundamental to the character of Thief in the Night. The high-altitude vineyards experience considerable temperature variation between day and night, helping the grapes retain freshness despite the region's warm, dry conditions.
The sandstone soils and dry-farmed bush vines produce small, concentrated berries, while Duncan Savage's gentle winemaking avoids excessive extraction or oak influence.
Recent vintages illustrate this philosophy particularly well. The 2024 was 91% Grenache and 9% Cinsault, underwent 20% whole-bunch fermentation and matured for ten months in concrete egg and older 500-litre barrels.
The result is a distinctly modern interpretation of South African Grenache: perfumed and elegant rather than heavy, but with enough concentration and tannin to reward cellaring.
Cellaring Potential
Thief in the Night has consistently demonstrated that Grenache can combine immediate drinkability with serious ageing potential. Recent vintages have been given drinking windows extending for roughly 8–12 years, with the 2024 suggested for drinking as far as 2039 by some specialist merchants.
The 2025 should be beautifully expressive while young, but several years in bottle should introduce more savoury, earthy and dried-herb complexity.
Food Pairing
Serve slightly cool at approximately 14–16°C and consider decanting for around 30 minutes when young.
Excellent with lamb chops, roast duck, pork belly, venison, chargrilled meats, Mediterranean dishes and roasted vegetables. Its combination of red fruit, herbs and spice also makes it particularly well suited to lamb tagine and other gently spiced dishes.
Buyer’s & Collector’s Note
Savage Thief in the Night has become one of South Africa's benchmark Grenache-based wines. Its appeal lies in Duncan Savage's ability to combine the natural generosity of Grenache with the freshness and mineral tension provided by high-altitude Piekenierskloof vineyards.
For fans of Sadie Family Soldaat, David & Nadia Grenache, Rall Grenache or other premium Cape Grenache, the Savage Thief in the Night 2025 is a compelling addition to the cellar—small-production, terroir-driven and made in the elegant, restrained style that has established Duncan Savage as one of South Africa's leading contemporary winemakers.
Delivery within South Africa:
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