Technical Analysis
A wine made to last, Kanonkop's Cabernet Sauvignon will benefit from further bottle maturation of up to 20 years from the vintage date.
Tasting note
A complex nose of dark aromas of black berry, cassis, tobacco with cedar and oak spice. The palate is supple and mouth filling – with concentrated black fruit supported by oak spice, roasted nuts and a hint of fresh fynbos. The tannins are firm yet well-knit and integrated.
Vintage conditions
The carry-over effect of the previous three year’s drought is still visible in this vintage, despite the higher rainfall during the season. The resulting crop was smaller, but of high quality. Despite the relative low water stress, the cool weather contributed to smaller berries and less irrigation was needed this growing season.
Vinification details
Fermentation took place in open top concrete fermenters at 29°C. The floating skins are punched down by hand, every 2 hours during fermentation. The juice was drawn off the skins after 5 days. After malolactic fermentation the wine was matured for 24 months in 50% new and 50% second fill 225L French Nevers oak barrels.
AWARDS
Tim Atkin MW: 96 pts
Decanter: 97 pts
Platter: 95 pts
Technical Analysis
A wine made to last, Kanonkop's Cabernet Sauvignon will benefit from further bottle maturation of up to 20 years from the vintage date.
Tasting note
A complex nose of dark aromas of black berry, cassis, tobacco with cedar and oak spice. The palate is supple and mouth filling – with concentrated black fruit supported by oak spice, roasted nuts and a hint of fresh fynbos. The tannins are firm yet well-knit and integrated.
Vintage conditions
Winter rainfall was higher than the previous two winters. Irregular temperatures from winter until the flowering period, together with cool growing conditions, led to great variations in the vineyards. The cool weather and regular rain showers led to less water stress for the vines during ripening. Harvest time was characterised by regular rain showers.
Vinification details
Fermentation took place in open top concrete fermenters at 29°C. The floating skins are punched down by hand, every 2 hours during fermentation. The juice was drawn off the skins after 5 days. After malolactic fermentation the wine was matured for 24 months in 50% new and 50% second fill 225L French Nevers oak barrels.
AWARDS
Platter: 5*
Tim Atkin MW: 95 pts
Technical Analysis
A wine made to last, Kanonkop's Cabernet Sauvignon will benefit from further bottle maturation of up to 20 years from the vintage date.
Tasting note
Dark and brooding, with intricate aromas of oak spice, black berry coulis, graphite powder, tilled earth, wet tobacco and chai tea. The palate is luxurious and elegant, with layered flavours of blackcurrants, morello cherries, crunchy raspberries and dark coffee beans, all of which are framed against a sturdy, yet delicate latticework of finely grained tannins. A wine filled with poise and precision.
Vintage conditions
The preceding winter was the 3rd dry one in a row, with less rain than the previous one and warmer day and night temperatures. A warm spring resulted in early budding. Regular rain showers during flowering and berry set, with a high presence of pests. The picking season was very dry with limited water for irrigation, but with cooler nigh-time temperatures during February.
Vinification details
Fermentation took place in open top concrete fermenters at 290C. The cap is punched down by hand, every 2 hours during fermentation. The juice was drawn off the skins after 5 days. After malolactic fermentation the wine was matured for 24 months in 50% new and 50% second fill 225L French Nevers
oak barrels.
Technical Analysis
A wine made to last, Kanonkop's Cabernet Sauvignon will benefit from further bottle maturation of up to 20 years from the vintage date.
Tasting note
A classic Simonsberg Cabernet, exuding a sense of coolness, despite the warm vintage conditions. A perfumed nose filled with notes of blackcurrants, fennel, cigar box, tea leaf and fynbos shrub. The palate is delicate and fresh,
with an austere old-world charm about it. Grainy tannins complement the earthy profile, with subtle hints of liquorice on the lengthy finish.
Vintage conditions
The cold weather arrived late, with below average rainfall resulting in low soil moisture and dam levels. The budburst period was very dry, placing a lot of strain on the vines and causing a reduction in the amount of berries per bunch and the resulting crop size. The weather was very warm and dry during the harvest period, with minimal wind damage and disease.
Vinification details
Fermentation took place in open fermenters at 29°C, with 5 days on skins and the cap punched down manually every 2 hours. Post fermentation, the wine spent 24 months in 50% new and 50% second-fill French Nevers 225L barrels.
Technical Analysis
A wine made to last, Kanonkop's Cabernet Sauvignon will benefit from further bottle maturation of up to 20 years from the vintage date.
Tasting note
A dense full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon showing notes of supple blackcurrant, black plum, cedar wood and spice. These follow onto the palate with additional characteristics of pencil shavings, tea leaf and molasses, balanced with a good acidity, integrated, ripe tannins and a lingering finish.
Vintage conditions
2014 experienced a cold and wet winter with some warmer days during the harvest.
Vinification details
Fermentation took place in open fermenters at 29°C, with 5 days on skins and the cap punched down manually every 2 hours. Post fermentation, the wine spent 24 months in 50% new and 50% second-fill French Nevers barrels.
