... this old-vine cuvée is always one of the best Pinotages in the Cape ...
Tim Atkin MW
Kanonkop's flagship wine comes from estate-grown 64-year-old bush vines.
Deep purple colour with intense perfumed top notes of rose petals, cinnamon spice, black cherries and dark chocolate. A decadently rich and layered wine, with bold flavours of black cherries, dark plums and wild bramble fruit. The seamlessly integrated oak and velvety tannins add firm support and structure to the sultry fruit core. A big, complex and powerful wine – the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove!
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
14.6 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
2.5 g/L
pH
3.69
ACIDITY
5.1 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Abrie Beeslaar
VARIETY
Pinotage
TIME IN OAK
18 months
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
Yes
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Stellenbosch
VEGETARIAN
Yes
VEGAN
Yes
Vintage conditions
Extremely warm and dry, with below average rainfall and cold days/nights during the preceding winter. During ripening the night time temperatures were cooler than normal, resulting in good acid and flavour development. This challenging vintage produced sound, concentrated wines that should peak earlier.
Vinification details
Fermentation took place in open top concrete fermenters. The floating skins were punched down by hand, every two hours during fermentation, before the juice was drawn off the skins after 3.5 days. After malolactic fermentation the wine was matured for 18 months in 100% new 225L French Nevers oak barrels.
Awards
Tim Atkin MW: 96 pts
Vinous: 94 pts
Greg Sherwood MW: 95 pts
Green credentials
Accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Contact us to discuss
Kanonkop's flagship wine comes from estate-grown 64-year-old bush vines.
Opaque purple ruby colour. Intense floral nose of dark red rose petals, with layers of strawberries, red fruits and hints of sweet spice. The palate is packed with red fruit, black plums and chocolate. The well integrated oak plays a great supporting role. Powerful yet elegant tannins; mouthfilling without being heavy. The seamless finish rounds off this complex, powerful yet elegant wine.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
14.5 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
2.6 g/L
pH
3.62
ACIDITY
5.4 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Abrie Beeslaar
VARIETY
Pinotage
TIME IN OAK
18 months
SULPHUR
Total: 85 Free: 41
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
Yes
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Stellenbosch
VEGETARIAN
Yes
VEGAN
Yes
Vintage conditions
A very dry and hot growing season which resulted in lower yields.
Vinification details
Fermentation took place in open concrete fermenters, with the cap punched manually every 2 hours and the juice drawn off the skins after 3.5 days. The wine was matured for 18 months in new 225L French Nevers barrels, primarily Vicard.
Awards
Platter: 5*
Vinous: 96 pts
Tim Atkin MW: 96 pts
Green credentials
Accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Contact us to discuss
Kanonkop's flagship wine comes from estate-grown 64-year-old bush vines.
A dense, full and rich wine filled with perfume and red fruit with a hint of spice to add to its complexity. The palate is structured and powerful, with ripe red fruits, black plums and dark chocolate. The tannins are grainy and mouthfilling with a dry, appetising finish.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
14.7 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
4.0 g/L
pH
3.69
ACIDITY
5.6 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Abrie Beeslaar
VARIETY
Pinotage
TIME IN OAK
18 months
SULPHUR
Total: 89 Free: 30
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
Yes
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Stellenbosch
VEGETARIAN
Yes
VEGAN
Yes
Vintage conditions
A very challenging vintage with hot and dry conditions.
Vinification details
Fermentation took place in open concrete fermenters, with the cap punched manually every 2 hours and the juice drawn off the skins after 3.5 days. The wine was matured for 18 months in new 225L French Nevers barrels, primarily Vicard.
Awards
Platter: 5*
Greg Sherwood MW: 97+ pts
Vinous: 96 pts
Tim Atkin MW: 96 pts
Green credentials
Accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Contact us to discuss