Timed Online Auction, 28 January - 9 February 2026

Provenance

The late David Brice was a respected wine connoisseur, collector and co-founder of Wine Cellar, fine wine merchants. His lifelong passion for wine from all corners of the world wine, and generosity, helped develop a culture of fine wine in South Africa and beyond. Always with value and authenticity in mind, the collection spans a wide range of styles from leading producers and diverse regions. The wines were professionally imported under refrigeration and carefully stored at Wine Cellar thereafter. Many of the producers are not available in South Africa and provide an excellent buying opportunity.

The Rhône valley was one of David's favoured regions, known for its diverse range of reds and whites. These were quintessential French wines from excellent easy-drinking, to fine, long-term treasures. He enjoyed wines from all the villages from Vaucluse to Vacqueyras, and Cornas to Côte-Rôtie. David focused on top vintages for long-term maturation and lesser vintages for earlier drinking. The highlight perhaps is his deep collection of top Châteauneuf-du-Pape from great vintages like 2010 and 2007.

For more detailed information on the lots, please feel free to contact Roland Peens (roland@winecellar.co.za). Roland spent many years sharing and enjoying these wines with David Brice and is happy to provide further insight into the collection.

Critics Ratings

'Released after 2016, 2015 held back for extended oak ageing (30 months) to allow for evolution. Still not short of power & structure in its Syrah-led mix with Touriga, Cinsaut & grenache, whose sweetly spiced, elegant fruit will easily bide time needed to harmonise. Open fermenters for reds, 50% whole bunches unless noted. Old oak, various sizes. Unfined.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (93/100)

'The 2015 Savage Red is actually being released after the 2016 and marks the last release in this style, according to Duncan Savage, as the 2017 will be 100% Syrah and will move toward Stellenbosch, from 2018 tapping the vineyard purchased by Johan Reyneke adjacent to his own estate (also shared with Mark Kent of Boekenhoutskloof.) It has an extravagant bouquet, quite showy and generous, with more red fruit than black, offering wild strawberry and cranberry and hints of dried prune and incense. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, quite tight and surprisingly savory at the moment, delivering nice grip on the finish and a ferrous aftertaste. Excellent.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 92/100 (Aug 2018)

'Duncan Savage released his softer 2016 ahead of this more ageworthy red and it was definitely the right decision. Syrah-based with Cinsault, Touriga Nacional and Grenache, it's still quite firm and tight, with a tannic backdrop to figgy, mulberry fruit. 2020-26.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 93/100