this is a nuanced, beautifully expressed Pinotage from a master of the grape.
Tim Atkin MW
Pinotage, Kanonkop
Kanonkop's Pinotage comes from 63-year-old unirrigated bush vines grown on the estate.
Bright purple-red colour. Bold aromas of plums, blackberries, hints of liquorice and tar, layers of smoke, roasted nuts and rich vanilla on the nose. The palate is packed with flavours of plums, cherries, black figs, dark chocolate, blackberries and spicy oak. The beautifully integrated plush, creamy tannins with satisfying acidity result in a wonderfully balanced wine with a long finish, promising great maturation potential.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
14.3 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
2.9 g/L
pH
3.71
ACIDITY
5.2 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Abrie Beeslaar
VARIETY
Pinotage
TIME IN OAK
18 months
SULPHUR
Free 41 mg/l
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
Yes
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Simonsberg Stellenbosch
VEGETARIAN
Yes
VEGAN
Yes
Vintage conditions
The preceding winter had sufficient rain and cold units. Throughout the harvesting period the weather remained favourable, with relatively warm days, no significant heatwaves and cool night temperatures.
Vinification details
Fermented in open top concrete fermenters at 280C. The floating skins were punched down by hand, every 2 hours during fermentation. The juice was drawn off the skins after 3 days. After malolactic fermentation the wine was matured for 18 months in 80% new and 20% second fill 225L French Nevers oak barrels.
Contact us to discuss
Pinotage, Kanonkop
Kanonkop's Pinotage comes from 63-year-old unirrigated bush vines grown on the estate.
Vibrant aromas of blueberries, ripe plums, black cherries, cinnamon and vanilla on the nose. The palate is sultry and luxurious, with densely packed flavours of berry compote, wild bramble, plum tart and spicy Christmas cake. Ripe tannins are beautifully intertwined between the layers of fruit, adding a dense and broad texture to the wine. The subtle spicy tones and plush black cherry flavours on the lingering finish completes a very elegant and age-worthy wine.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
14.9 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
2.5 g/L
pH
2.87
ACIDITY
5.3 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Abrie Beeslaar
VARIETY
Pinotage
TIME IN OAK
16 months
SULPHUR
Free 45 mg/l
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
Yes
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Simonsberg Stellenbosch
VEGETARIAN
Yes
VEGAN
Yes
Vintage information
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
Fermented in open top concrete fermenters at 280C. The floating skins were punched down by hand, every 2 hours during fermentation. The juice was drawn off the skins after 3 days. After malolactic fermentation the wine was
matured for 16 months in 80% new and 20% second fill 225L French Nevers oak barrels.
Contact us to discuss
Pinotage, Kanonkop
Kanonkop's Pinotage comes from 63-year-old unirrigated bush vines grown on the estate.
Intense purple hues. The nose is beautifully aromatic with scented aromas of redcurrants, macerated cherries and cinnamon spice. The palate displays a silky tannin structure, backed by a fine seam of acidity. Subtle vanilla undertones from the integrated oak profile are juxtaposed against a fruit explosion of wild bramble, plums and blackberries. An elegant wine with lingering flavours of juicy, dark plums on the finish, and a lifting underlying freshness.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
14.8 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
2.2 g/L
pH
3.73
ACIDITY
5.4 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Abrie Beeslaar
VARIETY
Pinotage
TIME IN OAK
16 months
SULPHUR
Total: 132 Free: 50
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
Yes
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Stellenbosch
VEGETARIAN
Yes
VEGAN
Yes
Vintage conditions
A dry summer with warm days and consistently cool nights to ensure good ripening.
Vinification details
Fermentation took place in open concrete fermenters at 28°C. The cap was punched down manually every 2 hours and the juice was drawn off the skins after 3 days. The wine was matured for 16 months in 225L French Nevers oak barrels – 80% new and 20% 2nd-fill.
Contact us to discuss
The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, well-pitched acidity and an elegant finish that Pinotage sceptics ought to taste in order to change their minds.
Vinous
Pinotage, Kanonkop
Kanonkop's Pinotage comes from 63-year-old unirrigated bush vines grown on the estate.
Bright ruby-red hues. A textbook Stellenbosch Pinotage with aromatic and spicy aromas of mulberry, raspberry and cinnamon. Muscular, well-integrated tannins add great structure. Flavours of bramble, violets, plums and black berries are balanced by scented new oak. An elegant wine with savoury notes on the lengthy finish, and a lifting underlying freshness.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
14.3 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
2.0 g/L
pH
3.52
ACIDITY
5.8 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Abrie Beeslaar
VARIETY
Pinotage
TIME IN OAK
16 months
SULPHUR
Total: 99 Free: 49
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 at 28°C. The cap was punched down manually every 2 hours and the juice was drawn off the skins after 3 days. The wine was matured for 16 months in 225L French Nevers oak barrels – 80% new and 20% 2nd-fill.
Contact us to discuss
Pinotage, Kanonkop
Kanonkop's Pinotage comes from 63-year-old unirrigated bush vines grown on the estate.
Deep intense plum colour with a purple hue. A bold intensity of black plum, red and black berries and a concentration of vanilla and aromatic sweet spice. This vintage offers a good complexity with layered flavours that is balanced and accessible, but will continue to develop and integrate for years to come.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
14.6 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
2.7 g/L
pH
3.58
ACIDITY
5.7 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Abrie Beeslaar
VARIETY
Pinotage
TIME IN OAK
18 months
SULPHUR
Total: 109 Free: 56
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
Yes
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Stellenbosch
VEGETARIAN
Yes
VEGAN
Yes
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 concrete fermentors at 28°C. The cap was punched down manually every 2 hours and the juice drawn off the skins after 3 days. The wine was matured for 18 months in 75% new and 25% 2nd-fill 225L French barrels.
Contact us to discuss
You’d expect this wine to be good in a stellar vintage like 2015, and so it is.
Tim Atkin MWPinotage, Kanonkop
Kanonkop's Pinotage comes from 63-year-old unirrigated bush vines grown on the estate.
Deep intense plum colour with a purple hue. A bold intensity of black plum, red and black berries and a concentration of vanilla and aromatic sweet spice. This vintage offers a good complexity with layered flavours that is balanced and accessible, but will continue to develop and integrate for years to come.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
14.6 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
2.7 g/L
pH
3.58
ACIDITY
5.7 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Abrie Beeslaar
VARIETY
Pinotage
TIME IN OAK
18 months
SULPHUR
Total: 109 Free: 56
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
Yes
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Stellenbosch
Vintage conditions
A warm dry winter with hot days during picking.
Vinification details
Fermentation took place in open concrete fermentors at 28°C. The cap was punched down manually every 2 hours and the juice drawn off the skins after 3 days. The wine was matured for 18 months in 75% new and 25% 2nd-fill 225L French barrels.
Contact us to discuss