Technical Analysis
Kanonkop's Pinotage comes from 63-year-old unirrigated bush vines grown on the estate.
Tasting note
Bright red in colour, with a purple hue. This Pinotage offers bold plums, blackberries, with layers of liquorice, smoke, roasted nuts and rich vanilla on the nose. Followed by a palate packed with plums, black and red cherries, and dark chocolate, and spicy oak, The integrated and plush ripe tannins together with the satisfying acidity results in a balanced wine with a long finish, promising great maturation potential.
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
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.
AWARDS
Platter: 95 pts;
Tim Atkin MW: 94 pts
Vinous: 91 pts
Technical Analysis
Kanonkop's Pinotage comes from 63-year-old unirrigated bush vines grown on the estate.
Tasting note
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.
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.
AWARDS
Tim Atkin MW: 92 pts
Technical Analysis
Kanonkop's Pinotage comes from 63-year-old unirrigated bush vines grown on the estate.
Tasting note
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.
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.
Technical Analysis
Kanonkop's Pinotage comes from 63-year-old unirrigated bush vines grown on the estate.
Tasting note
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.
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.
Technical Analysis
Kanonkop's Pinotage comes from 63-year-old unirrigated bush vines grown on the estate.
Tasting note
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.
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.
