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Black Label Pinotage, Kanonkop

Kanonkop
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Technical Analysis
Alcohol
14.0
Residual sugar
1.7
pH
3.73
Acidity
5.7
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
Kanonkop's flagship wine comes from estate-grown 64-year-old bush vines.
Tasting note

Deep purple in colour, with a concentrated explosion of red and black cherries, vanilla, dark chocolate, and sweet spice. The palate provides additional complex notes of red roses, cured meats and coffee grinds and a lifted finish. The perfect balance and refreshment and complexity.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Pinotage
Malolactic Fermentation
Yes
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Abrie Beeslaar
Closure
Cork
Region
Simonsberg, Stellenbosch
Vegan
Yes

Vintage conditions

Warmer periods during the latter part of the winter resulted in some un-even budding, flowering and fruit set. The moisture levels in the soils were satisfactory throughout the growing and ripening phase, and very little moisture stress was noticeable on the vines. The late start to the 2021 harvest was one of the distinguishing hallmarks of this vintage. The cooler growing conditions of the 2021 vintage produced elegant wines with softer tannin structures that will make them accessible and drinkable from an earlier age.

Vinification details

Fermentation took place in open top concrete fermenters. The floating skins were punched down by hand, every 2 hours during fermentation. 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: 97 pts;

Platter: 96 pts

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
13.6
Residual sugar
3.6
pH
3.07
Acidity
5.1
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
Kanonkop's flagship wine comes from estate-grown 64-year-old bush vines.
Tasting note

Deep purple in colour, with rich and layered flavours of red and black cherries, dark plums, wild bramble fruit with subtle sweet spice and oak undertones. The seamlessly integrated oak and velvety tannins add firm support and structure to the sultry fruit core. The perfect balance of elegance and complexity.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Pinotage
Malolactic Fermentation
Yes
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Abrie Beeslaar
Closure
Cork
Region
Simonsberg, Stellenbosch
Vegan
Yes

Vintage conditions

The carry-over effect of the previous three year’s drought was still visible in this vintage, despite the higher rainfall during the season, and it delivered a smaller crop, but of high quality. Despite the relative low water stress, the cool weather contributed to smaller berries, and less irrigation was needed in this growing season.

Vinification details

Fermentation took place in open top concrete fermenters. The floating skins were punched down by hand, every 2 hours during fermentation. 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.

 

 

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
14.6
Residual sugar
2.5
pH
3.69
Acidity
5.1
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
Kanonkop's flagship wine comes from estate-grown 64-year-old bush vines.
Tasting note

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!

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Pinotage
Malolactic Fermentation
Yes
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Abrie Beeslaar
Closure
Cork
Region
Stellenbosch
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.

 

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
14.5
Residual sugar
2.6
pH
3.62
Acidity
5.4
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
Kanonkop's flagship wine comes from estate-grown 64-year-old bush vines.
Tasting note

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.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Pinotage
Malolactic Fermentation
Yes
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Abrie Beeslaar
Closure
Cork
Region
Stellenbosch
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.

 

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
14.7
Residual sugar
4.0
pH
3.69
Acidity
5.6
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
Kanonkop's flagship wine comes from estate-grown 64-year-old bush vines.
Tasting note

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.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Pinotage
Malolactic Fermentation
Yes
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Abrie Beeslaar
Closure
Cork
Region
Stellenbosch
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.