With your case of Hommage à B Syrah 2024 newly delivered into your wine racks or cellars, it seems the perfect moment to give you an update of what’s been happening with Duncan Savage out in South Africa’s Western Cape. 

Duncan summed up 2024 as “a good year with wines showing a bit more grip and extract”. 

“Overall yields were slightly down as a result of the dry conditions in the lead up to harvest, but on average we had a less than 10% drop so not too bad.” 

The growing season didn’t start that way however. 

“We had a really wet winter in 2023 with a low weather system mid-September that created havoc in the Western Cape. That resulted in a lot of damage in a number of vineyards, including a small landslide in a new development where we had 120mm of rain in 2 hours!” 

“This, on the back of a wet winter, made it very difficult to get into the vineyards with any form of implement at all and lots had to be done by hand.” 

“The season also stayed relatively cool up until December when finally summer kicked in. January was hot and dry, quite windy too. Overall, the grapes ripened well, producing good colour and structure in the wines.” 

Hommage à B Syrah 2024 

The wine is pure Syrah, nearly exclusively from Boetie’s Atlantic-swept Cape vineyard, with just a small portion of fruit from an excellent, well-ventilated vineyard in Swartland. 

All the grapes were picked by hand and sorted in both the vineyard and winery to maintain the utmost quality. Half the grapes were kept as whole bunches for the ferment to lend extra freshness, with the balance crushed and destemmed. 

Post fermentation, the grapes were kept on their skins for two weeks to gain additional colour, richness and structure, before the wine was gently basket pressed and put into seasoned 500-litre French oak barrels for ageing. 

Duncan’s latest tasting note: 

“The wine shows the red fruit and white pepper spice we have come to expect from this vineyard, with deep hints of black plum, olive and cured ham. The palate is grippy due to the conditions of the vintage and while drinking well young, this wine will age very well over the next 10 years.” 

The Hommage à B vintage to drink now 

Duncan’s recommendation “Open the 2020 or any older vintages (if you’re lucky enough to still have any) – they are drinking beautifully. I recently enjoyed a 2021 which was amazing but has many years ahead due to the class of the vintage.” 

Other Cape news 

“We continue to work hard developing our vineyards … there is no limit to what one can do in the pursuit of quality. Cover crops, extensive mulching to preserve moisture and nutrients, more open canopies when the sun is shy, meticulous sorting when we pick – these are just few of the key factors.” 

And Duncan is always pushing the boundaries and trying new things in the pursuit of quality.  

“We have done a huge amount of experimentation with one owner in Paarl where I’m consultant, planting incredible sites with really interesting grapes. Some are field blends of 20 different varieties. It’s super exciting!” 

The marketplace today – it’s tough 

“For us, South Africa is a small but good market and we are seeing a lot of young up-and-coming professionals becoming part of the Savage family of fans, which is amazing. We need that. Plus, there is good sales growth in Kenya and Nigeria which is very encouraging.” 

“Overseas the markets are definitely tougher”, Duncan reported, “with lots of uncertainty due to wars, tariffs and the demonisation of alcohol.” 

But for Duncan, as for many of us, “drinking wines with friends and socialising is way more important than a constant feed of information from a mobile phone. And wine (in moderation!) is the great social lubricant!”  

Cape Winemakers’ Guild Protegé programme 

As you may remember, Duncan is part of the Cape Winemakers’ Guild Protegé programme – a scheme to bring on young talented winemakers that might not otherwise have that opportunity.  

Shanice was the first Duncan mentored. 

“Shanice is awesome and is currently the assistant winemaker at Brookdale Estate in Paarl where I have been a consultant for many years.” 

“Banele Vakele is my current assistant winemaker and also a graduate of the Cape Winemakers Guild Protegé Programme. He is leaving us this year to grow his own brand Tembela. I’m really proud of these guys!” 

The world of wine is not without its issues, but you can always guarantee an upbeat note from Duncan.  

So, best to let your bottles rest up a few days to let them settle. If you’re cracking into the 2024 vintage, it would be best to open the bottle and decant the wine a couple of hours beforehand. It’ll be a fabulous partner to slow-roasted lamb shoulder or similar delicious dishes.