Savage Thief In The Night Western Cape Red Blend 2017 (South Africa) Rated 94VM

VinoUS Media Review
Rated 94 Points
The 2017 Thief In The Night (another great name for a wine) is a blend of Grenache from the Soldaart vineyard, shared with Eben Sadie, blended with Cinsault and Syrah. It was aged for nine months in 2,400- and 1,600-liter foudres, along with two 500-liter French oak barrels. It has an extraordinarily pure bouquet of morello cherry, crushed strawberry, rosewater and minerals. The palate is well defined with a slight stalkiness from the 70% whole-bunch fruit. There is a tingle of Szechuan pepper on the tip of the tongue and great length to the finish. A storming debut. Drink now-2035.

Tim Atkin Review
Rated 94 Points
The Grenache in this blend with Cinsault and Syrah used to go into Follow The Line but is now part of an all-Piekenierskloof new wine, picked on the same day. Sappy, refreshing and floral, it has fine tannins, nuanced oak and palate-cleansing acidity

Wine Tasting Notes
The wine shows a real individuality and personality with bright fragrant violet perfume, sappy spicy peppery raspberry and redcurrant confit complexity, hints of sun raisined cranberries, cured bresaola, boiled raspberry sweets and wild strawberries. The palate weight is soft and sensual, combining the best of both Grenache and Cinsault to form a harmonious, silky soft sappy red blend. The wine seems to grow exponentially in the glass, revealing layers of strawberry jam, raspberry compote and Turkish delight, all framed with bright crystalline acids that really amplify the wines purity, minerality and sense of place. Sleek and polished tannins with a mellow fruit intensity. Despite its drinkability in youth, this is no frivolous 'vin de soif' and could, over time, acquire a similar cult following to that of Follow The Line. A very confident debut!

48% Grenache, 46% Cinsault, 6% Syrah. Alcohol 13%