Savage 'Never Been Asked to Dance' Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa 2023
Savage 'Never Been Asked to Dance' Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa 2023
Savage 'Never Been Asked to Dance' Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa 2023
Savage 'Never Been Asked to Dance' Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa 2023

Savage 'Never Been Asked to Dance' Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa 2023

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Savage Wines is led by Duncan Savage, one of South Africa’s rising stars in fine wine. The 2023 “Never Been Asked To Dance” Chenin Blanc comes from a dry-farmed bush vine vineyard planted in 1956 on decomposed granite soils on the border of Paarl and Stellenbosch. This wine captures the elegance and complexity that Chenin fans crave, with minimal intervention and a classic, expressive style.
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Savage Wines is led by Duncan Savage, one of South Africa’s rising stars in fine wine. The 2023 “Never Been Asked To Dance” Chenin Blanc comes from a dry-farmed bush vine vineyard planted in 1956 on decomposed granite soils on the border of Paarl and Stellenbosch. This wine captures the elegance and complexity that Chenin fans crave, with minimal intervention and a classic, expressive style.

"Notes of pear, peach skin, lemon rind and toasted almond, layered with honeyed florals and a saline, mineral edge. The texture is leesy and rich, with vibrant acidity and a steely finish that lingers. A Chenin Blanc that balances power and purity.” — 96 Points
Variety: 100% Chenin Blanc
Region: Western Cape (Paarl / Stellenbosch), South Africa
Volume: 750ml
Alcohol: 14% ABV
Farming Practice: Old vine bush-vine vineyard, dry-farmed, minimal intervention; spontaneous ferment, full malolactic, aged in old Stockinger barrels (600L)
Soil Type: Decomposed granite and granitic soils; southeast-facing slope exposed to cooling wind, giving minerality, texture, and freshness

Duncan Savage and South Africa’s New Wave

Duncan Savage launched Savage Wines in 2011 after years at Cape Point Vineyards. His mission: to craft elegant, terroir-driven wines that showcase South Africa’s old vines and unique soils.

Old Vine Chenin Blanc

The estate’s flagship wines come from dry-farmed bush vines planted in the 1950s. Labels like Never Been Asked to Dance Chenin Blanc capture stone fruit, citrus, and saline minerality, rivaling the Loire while remaining distinctly South African.

Minimal Intervention Approach

Native yeast fermentations, neutral oak aging, and low intervention in the cellar give the wines purity, texture, and finesse. Savage Wines has become a symbol of South Africa’s artisanal fine wine movement.

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Savage Wines | Redefining South African Fine Wine

Duncan Savage: A New Voice in South African Wine

Founded in 2011, Savage Wines is the creation of winemaker Duncan Savage, formerly of Cape Point Vineyards. Known for his restless energy and deep commitment to terroir, Duncan has become one of South Africa’s most influential modern producers, celebrated for wines of elegance, precision, and authenticity.

A Focus on Old Vine Chenin Blanc

South Africa’s wine renaissance has been built in part on its treasure trove of old vines, especially Chenin Blanc. Savage works with dry-farmed bush vines planted as early as the 1950s, many rooted in decomposed granite soils across Stellenbosch, Paarl, and the Western Cape. Wines like Never Been Asked to Dance Chenin Blanc showcase how Chenin, once overlooked, can rival the world’s greatest white wines.

Minimal Intervention, Maximum Expression

At Savage, the ethos is one of minimal intervention winemaking. Grapes are hand-harvested, wild-fermented, and aged in large neutral barrels or foudre, allowing the vineyards to speak clearly. Full malolactic fermentation, lees contact, and restrained handling give the wines their textural depth without sacrificing freshness.

Wines of Purity and Elegance

While South Africa is often associated with power and ripeness, Savage Wines emphasize balance and finesse. Chenins are taut and mineral-driven, Syrahs are lifted and perfumed, and blends bring together old vine varieties with a deft hand. Critics frequently compare Duncan’s wines to top domaines in the Loire or Rhône, yet they remain unmistakably South African.

Why Savage Matters Today

Savage represents the new face of South African fine wine — artisanal, sustainable, and terroir-driven. With a focus on natural wine practices, old vines, and minimal intervention, Duncan Savage has elevated South African wines onto the global stage, offering authenticity and world-class quality in every bottle.

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