Kanonkop Estate Pinotage 2023

WINEMAKER Abrie Beeslaar

COMPOSITION 100% Pinotage

AGING POTENTIAL 20 to 25 years (and longer if stored properly)

ORIGIN Simonsberg, Stellenbosch

SOIL TYPE Decomposed Granite and Hutton clay soils AGE OF VINES 34- to 67-year-old bush vines

IRRIGATION Dry land vineyards

TRELLISING TECHNIQUE Bush vines YIELD 5 tons per hectare

FOOD PAIRING Spicy Asian-style dishes | Aromatic curries Peppered squid with wasabi | All types of venison meat | Seared game fish | Duck

ALC 14% | RS 2,2 g/l | pH 3,6 | TA 5,7 g/l | VA 0,62 g/l

VINTAGE CONDITIONS The 2023 vintage followed a late, relatively dry winter with good June rainfall. Cold spells and a dry spring encouraged even budding, with minimal disease pressure. A very wet December brought larger berries, resulting in softer tannins. Harvest commenced as usual in early February.

WINEMAKING / MATURATION Fermented in open top concrete fermenters at 28°C. 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.

TASTING NOTES An opaque purple-red colour introduces aromas of plums, blackberries and mulberries, layered with rich Vanila, smoky notes and roasted nuts. The palate is packed with plums, cherries, black figs and pomegranate, complemented by dark chocolate, blackberries and spicy oak. Plush, creamy tannins are beautifully integrated with a lively acidity in perfect balance.