ESTATE RANGE
The ambition to make great wine remains as fervent today as when Kanonkop bottled its maiden estate wine from the 1973 vintage. From the farming of the vineyards, the ethos of traditional old-school winemaking and the quality of new French oak barrels to preparing the wine for bottling, only the best is good enough. The biggest challenge for the winemaker is not to manipulate the wine but to still be able to show the characteristics of that specific vintage 10–20 years later.
One of the features of Kanonkop is a nod towards an old-world, classic pedigree: the ability of its wines to age well. Not merely longevity, but an ability to gain complexity and a spectacular array of nuances as the wine ages in the bottle.
“If ever you meet a cynic who claims that Pinotage cannot make great wines, then pour them a glass from Kanonkop and they will soon change their mind.”
– ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE
Pinotage
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In 1924, while heading up Oenology and Viticulture at the University of Stellenbosch, Professor Abraham Perold made a crossing of two grape varieties that today forms the South African wine industry’s unique selling point. Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (once known as Hermitage in South Africa) became Pinotage, a red-blooded South African grape variety.
One of the world’s finest examples of Pinotage, a variety first planted on Kanonkop in 1941. Deep garnet with a purple hue, this wine offers plush plum and cherry flavours with an evocative hint of spice. As the wine ages in the bottle, it gains an earthy, forest-floor character and a delectable cassis-like, sweet-fruited core.
First vintage: 1973
Production volume: 12 000 x 6
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Fact Sheets
- Pinotage 2022
- Pinotage 2021
- Pinotage 2020
- Pinotage 2019
- Pinotage 2018
- Pinotage 2017
- Pinotage 2016
- Pinotage 2015
- Pinotage 2014
- Pinotage 2013
- Pinotage 2012
- Pinotage 2011
Awards
Pack Shot
Wine and food style shots
Recipes
Cabernet Sauvignon
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The King of Bordeaux grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc that originated in the Gironde region of Bordeaux some three centuries ago. Cabernet Sauvignon, the focus grape variety of the Stellenbosch region, plays an integral part in the highest rated wines from this area.
A wine that exudes the refinement and purity of a classic Cabernet Sauvignon with the notes of dense black fruit, brambles and pineneedles elevated by a life-affirming freshness. Recognised as one of the New World’s finest Cabernet Sauvignons, this wine expresses the uniqueness of Stellenbosch’s Simonsberg terroir.
First vintage: 1973
Production volume: 12 000 x 6
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Fact Sheets
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Awards
Pack Shot
Wine and food style shots
- Food Style - Cabernet Sauvignon 1
- Food Style - Cabernet Sauvignon 2
- Food Style - Cabernet Sauvignon 3
- Food Style - Cabernet Sauvignon 4
- Food Style - Cabernet Sauvignon 5
Recipes
Paul Sauer
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This legendary wine is named after Kanonkop’s patriarch and is a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The depth of flavour, structure and complexity offered by these three grape varieties is accentuated by 24 months’ ageing in new French oak. Blackcurrant notes combine with aromas of Cape wildflower and cigar box to offer a regal wine recognised as one of the best South Africa has to offer.
First vintage: 1981
Production volume: 7 000 x 6
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Fact Sheets
- Paul Sauer 2021
- Paul Sauer 2020
- Paul Sauer 2019
- Paul Sauer 2018
- Paul Sauer 2017
- Paul Sauer 2016
- Paul Sauer 2015
- Paul Sauer 2014
- Paul Sauer 2013
Awards
Pack Shot
Wine and food style shots
Recipes
Black Label Pinotage
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A single Pinotage vineyard planted in 1953 is the birthplace of this prized red wine. The majestic old vines offer small berries with extremely concentrated flavours. After fermentation, the wine is placed in new French oak barrels where it ages for 18 months prior to bottling. Dense with dark fruit and black cherry, the wine is sleek and muscular with a luxurious and beguiling presence on the palate. Eminently accessible, this regal wine will age magnificently for 30 years from vintage.
First vintage: 2006
Production volume: 1 150 x 6
