Kanonkop Pinotage 2019

“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

Kanonkop Pinotage 2018

WINEMAKER: Abrie Beeslaar

VARIETAL: 100% Pinotage

ORIGIN: Simonsberg, Stellenbosch

CLIMATE: A very dry and hot growing season which resulted in lower yields

AGE OF VINES: 31 to 66 year old bush vines

IRRIGATION: None – dry land vineyards

SOIL: Decomposed granite and Hutton soils

YIELD: 5.0 tons/ha – 3250 litres/ha

VINIFICATION: Fermentation took place in open-topped 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.

MATURATION: Matured for 16 months in 225l French Nevers oak barrels – 80% new and 20% 2nd fill barrels.

TASTING NOTES: 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.

FOOD PAIRING: A fantastic food wine - serve with duck, game, lamb, smoked pork and dishes with Asian-style flavours.

AGEING POTENTIAL: 10 – 15 years from vintage, but can mature for longer under ideal conditions.

CHEMICAL ANALYSES:

ALCOHOL : 14.3%

FREE SO2    49ppm

TOTAL SO2   99ppm

PH   3.5

T/A  6

R/S  2.1g/l

V/A  0.72