Critics Ratings

2015:
‘This opens with a strong herbal impression, redolent of fresh fynbos, tilled earth, frankincense and violet, which mix harmoniously with the wild strawberry and boysenberry fruit core. The medium-weight palate is bright and juicy, with a crushed-satin texture thanks to ample acidity and structured yet fine tannins. The pure finish leads with ripe fruit flavors that transition seamlessly to notes of sweet spice and finally a fresh, salty sea-spray accent. It's easy to like now, but it should hold well through 2028.’ - Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast, 93/100 (Mar 2018)

‘This delivers a gorgeous beam of boysenberry and plum fruit, laced with a gentle violet hint and carrying through a silky, white pepper–accented finish. Long and refined, with purity to burn. Syrah. Drink now through 2022.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Feb 2017)

‘The 2015 The Girl Next Door comes from two small parcels of Syrah on the Cape Peninsula with just 12.5% alcohol. It is closed on the nose at first, dark berry fruit, a subtle sea spray influence that dovetails with more floral/rose petals scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, silky smooth in the mouth with cranberry and pomegranate on the entry, a fine line of acidity, quite lined with a detailed, saline and lingering finish. This is excellent and an outstanding follow up to the 2014. Just 600-1,000 bottles produced.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Apr 2017)

‘There are only 500 bottles of this rare Cape Peninsula Syrah (the vineyard is tiny), so you need to buy it soon, if not necessarily to drink it straight away. Low in alcohol it may be, yet this doesn’t lack structure. Meaty, savoury and smoky, it has taut acidity, bramble and raspberry fruit and fine tobacco-like tannins. Drink: 2017-24.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2016, 93/100

2017:
‘The 2017 Girl Next Door comes from a vineyard that Duncan lamented is constantly attacked by birds; it was netted and he still lost half the crop! It was matured in old demi-muids. Lucid in color, it has a stunning bouquet of blackberry, briar, white pepper and broom, quite brilliant in delineation. The palate is beautifully balanced with slightly chalky tannin that provides a firm backbone. It is supremely well focused with a sappy finish and subtle undergrowth notes engendered by the whole-bunch content. There are only 760 bottles of this wine. Try to find one.’ - Neal Martin, Vinous, 95/100 (Aug 2018)

‘After a gap in production in 2016 - there was no crop because of the drought - this brilliant, ocean-influenced Syrah is back with interest. There are only 700 bottles for the world, but what a wine it is: white pepper, clove, dried herbs, fennel, serious, savoury tannins and amazing freshness and length. 2020-28’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 95/100

2018:
'Striking cool-climate syrah ex Cape Peninsula. 2018 vivid youthful hue, heady spice & red fruit scents with energy & freshness. Concentration of flavour rather than high alcohol give sense of body. Bone-dry, still bit edgy but will round with even short ageing.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2020, 4.5* (94/100)

‘Syrah. Deep crimson. Real Syrah savour and a certain leatheriness. Lots to chew on. But correct and fresh.’ – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (Sep 2019)

‘Medium-bodied, with a suave texture, well-integrated tannins and bright acidity fueling the flavors of damson plum and kirsch, accented by light sprinkles of baking spice, licorice and thyme. Focused and complex, offering a long, mouthwatering finish. Best from 2022 through 2033.’ - Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Apr 2020)

2019:
‘More stately than the Red, 2019 Syrah majestically structured. Cool Cape Peninsula source evident in precision, freshness of dark berry, meaty flavours, deepened in supple richness to long savoury tail. Fine tannin embrace. Like 2018, for ageing, but already tempts.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (97/100)

‘The 2019 Girl Next Door is pure Syrah with 50% whole bunch. It has a fresh bouquet of raspberry preserve, wild strawberry, cracked white pepper and cloves, all beautifully defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity and superb structure and density toward the finish, which will clearly require 24 months to open up. One of Duncan Savage’s best this vintage.’ - Neal Martin, Vinous, 94/100 (Apr 2021)

'Fragrant on the nose with dried lavender and wild sage notes, this sleek, medium- to full-bodied red offers a core of spicy mineral, layered with flavors of ripe black raspberry and red currant, Earl Grey tea leaf and star anise. Fresh and harmonious, with lightly chalky tannins firming the lasting finish. Syrah. Drink now through 2029.’ - Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Jul 2021)

2020:
'The 3 syrahs make a nice comparison, different areas, 2020 cooler than others, influencing structure & styling. Rhône-like pepperiness, piquant dark berries, a fynbos nuance, sleek, muscle tone for cellaring but hard to resist now. Lovely polish & precision. WO Cape Town.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2022, 5* (96/100)

‘The 2020 Girl Next Door, which is 100% Syrah from the Cape Peninsula, is a little more backward on the nose compared to Are We There Yet, but coaxing reveals very pure blackberry, briar, potpourri and blood orange aromas. The beautifully structured palate is medium-bodied with sensual ripe black fruit and unerring symmetry, building toward a cohesive, persistent finish. A stunning wine from Duncan Savage.’ - Neal Martin, Vinous, 95/100 (Jul 2021)

2021:
‘The only thing wrong with this wine is the tiny quantities involved. Sourced from a 0.38-hectare Cape Peninsula parcel that's "beaten up by the wind", according to Duncan Savage, it's one of the most northern Rhône-like South African Syrahs, with clove and white pepper aromas, 50% whole bunches, intense goji berry and black cherry fruit and remarkable energy. 2024-32’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2022, 96/100

'The 2021 Girl Next Door comes from 3.8-hectares close to the sea in Fish Hoek that is prone to birds taking their share of the fruit, so Savage has to double-net the now dry-farmed vines to protect them. Including 50% whole bunch, you can smell the dark berry fruit, dried mint and mixed spices without even bringing the glass to the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with a relatively sweeter entry compared to Savage's other labels. There is fine grip in the mouth with touches of pencil shavings, cracked black pepper and a very persistent finish. This has immense depth and vigour, pretty complex and utterly compelling - a great achievement considering the youth of the vines.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 95/100 (Aug 2022)

'Three syrahs in the ranges, all distinctive, this 2021 Cape Town fruit, cooler style, less oaking & for earlier drinking but still admirable. Sleek, dark-toned & peppery, some scrub notes, tannins supple, with muscle tone as support. Lovely plush fruit, has polish & presence.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2023, 5* (95/100)

Provenance

Producer