Pinotage
Kanonkop Estate
Pinotage 2009
Nice of our host Heidi to take us back through some of their older vintages and this 09 Estate was showing beautifully.
Nice soft, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, blue fruits, raspberries & strawberries. Very soft and understated baking spices, some black licorice, dark rich soil, sweet vanillin, steep fruit tea, light, fresh herbaceous notes, mint and beautiful fresh and withering dark and red florals.
The body is full, juicy lush with soft, rounded, sweet tannins. Beautiful! Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, blue fruits, raspberries, strawberries, hints of purple fruits, very soft and understated baking spices, notes of black licorice, dark rich soil, sweet vanillin, steep fruit tea, light, fresh herbaceous notes, dark spice that has mellowed over 10 years, mint with beautiful fresh and withering dark and red florals. The acidity is excellent. The finish is gorgeous, balanced fruit & earth. It’s delicious ripe with soft dark spice on the long set.
Photos of; the mountains as viewed from their courtyard and where they took their Cellar Door name. The top left plateau is referred to as a Kanonkop. Larger formats in the tasting room, tasting room merchandise and the Kanonkop entrance. — a month ago
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Ashbourne Pinotage/Cinsault 2018
This was the other wine we tasted chatting in the tasting room.
While this blend is 80% Pinotage and 20% Cinsault, it’s a bit of a head scratcher as the varietal of Pinotage is a crossing of Pinot and Cinsault. Not sure why you would blend these two varietals. I’ll just copy over some of Anthony’s thoughts in a interview from 2017 when they first released this blend.
“I have always been intrigued by the idea of creating a Pinotage with a youthful, fresh, fruit purity un-tarnished by any oak influence. The Hemel-En-Aarde region produces wonderful Pinotage, but it's tighter and more taut – this is a very different expression,” he said.
I would only add that this blend was fresh, easy to drink and enjoyable. Most people in a blind tasting would simply call, “Pinotage.”
Photos of; Hamilton Russell Vineyard, another granitic soil structure from a different vineyard and a long view of the property with Anthony & Olive’s up on the hill. — a month ago
Beyerskloof
Reserve Pinotage
Solid pinotage. Best with lamb!! — 7 days ago
Misty Valleys
Pinotage 2018
good with beef — 15 days ago
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Ashbourne Pinotage 2016
Anthony took us to the tasting room in their Cellar to taste the Hamilton Russell line of wines.
This was a very nice Pinotage. Not quite the same style as Kanonkop. It’s a little softer and not quite as dark in fruit. Still a very well made wine. Enjoyed it quite a lot.
Photos of, the Hamilton Russell Vineyard, Anthony’s pouring our tasting, barrels around our tasting, and a long view of their property and house on the hilltop. — a month ago
Kanonkop Estate
Black Label Pinotage 2017
Extremely nice of our host Heidi to Coravin some of their flagship wine, Kanonkop Black Label. This was my first time having their Black Label and it didn’t disappoint. It is only one of two bottles I brought back. I couldn’t pass on the trade price Heidi was nice enough to extend to us.
The nose shows very dark currants and dark expresso roast. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, cocoa powder, saline, dark chocolate, caramel, mocha, vanilla, cinnamon, Black licorice, dry top soil, underbrush, dark, rich soils, touch of mint, sweet tarry notes with dark, blue and red amazingly fragrant florals.
The body is full and thick. Dark, meaty, powdery, sticky tannins. Used expresso roast grounds, steeped black tea, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries, dark cherries, cocoa powder, saline, dark chocolate, caramel, mocha, vanilla, cinnamon, black licorice, iodine notes, dry top soil, underbrush, crushed granite powder, dark, rich soils, touch of mint, sweet tarry notes with dark, blue and red amazingly fragrant florals. The acidity is near perfect. The finish is juicy fruit driven, elegant, well balanced and delicious. It is impressive and can’t wait to try it again in 10 plus years.
Photos of; the mountains around their property where they took their name. The small left plateau is referred to a Kanonkop, Heidi Kritzinger-their
Customer Relations Manager (sweetheart) with Sofia and I, tasting room lounge area and the Kanonkop entrance. — a month ago
Laibach
Stellenbosch Pinotage 2000
Smooth, elegant and juicy — 23 days ago
Kate Carson
Very easy to drink, light and flavorful — 8 days ago