Kanonkop Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
My first bottle of the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (100%) from Kanonkop. My prior experience from this estate is limited, but memorable, having enjoyed the 2015 of the same wine a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.
What of the 2017, then? This wine is pungent from the get-go, with very Stellenbosch-like aromas of incredibly pure fruit; a medley of kirsch, cassis, blackberry compote, strawberry and melted chocolate. There are pleasing notes of vanilla and sandalwood but no overbearing presence of oak (50% new, 50% 2nd fill). The palate is rich, pure, precise and an exemplary display of Cape Cabernet, with cool black and blue fruit and probably much more that didn’t make it to this tasting note which seems to have cut off here..! A sign of enjoyment, I’m sure. Delighted to have a case of this.
My first bottle of the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (100%) from Kanonkop. My prior experience from this estate is limited, but memorable, having enjoyed the 2015 of the same wine a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.
What of the 2017, then? This wine is pungent from the get-go, with very Stellenbosch-like aromas of incredibly pure fruit; a medley of kirsch, cassis, blackberry compote, strawberry and melted chocolate. There are pleasing notes of vanilla and sandalwood but no overbearing presence of oak (50% new, 50% 2nd fill). The palate is rich, pure, precise and an exemplary display of Cape Cabernet, with cool black and blue fruit and probably much more that didn’t make it to this tasting note which seems to have cut off here..! A sign of enjoyment, I’m sure. Delighted to have a case of this.
A wine that more than lives up to its reputation, this estate Cabernet from Kanonkop in South Africa is a tremendous flag-bearer for the quality of Bordeaux blends (or, as in this case, single varietals) in the Cape - and particularly in that iconic region Stellenbosch.
An exuberant nose that leaps from the glass and features cassis, fig, cinnamon, some garam masala and cigar box, with more than a gentle tug of graphite. A touch of tomato vine completes what is a very harmonious aroma - and quite an austere one at that. It was ten minutes before I took a sip.
The palate is even more giving, after a two hour decant, with incredibly concentrated flavours of red cherry, blackcurrant and plum, and a lovely undercurrent of dark chocolate and vanilla. This is seriously accomplished stuff, with more than enough backbone to age, and a very long finish. I would love to try this in ten years - even five - but only bought the one bottle so that’s a pipe dream. If this was the Médoc, you’d be thrilled. Truly, an astonishingly good wine.
96+
A wine that more than lives up to its reputation, this estate Cabernet from Kanonkop in South Africa is a tremendous flag-bearer for the quality of Bordeaux blends (or, as in this case, single varietals) in the Cape - and particularly in that iconic region Stellenbosch.
An exuberant nose that leaps from the glass and features cassis, fig, cinnamon, some garam masala and cigar box, with more than a gentle tug of graphite. A touch of tomato vine completes what is a very harmonious aroma - and quite an austere one at that. It was ten minutes before I took a sip.
The palate is even more giving, after a two hour decant, with incredibly concentrated flavours of red cherry, blackcurrant and plum, and a lovely undercurrent of dark chocolate and vanilla. This is seriously accomplished stuff, with more than enough backbone to age, and a very long finish. I would love to try this in ten years - even five - but only bought the one bottle so that’s a pipe dream. If this was the Médoc, you’d be thrilled. Truly, an astonishingly good wine.
96+
Deep ruby; medium plus intensity aromas of red plum, blackberry, gummy candy, spice drops, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, cedar; dry, medium acid, high tannins, high alcohol, medium plus body, medium plus intensity flavors consistent with aromas; medium plus finish, very ripe flavors
Deep ruby; medium plus intensity aromas of red plum, blackberry, gummy candy, spice drops, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, cedar; dry, medium acid, high tannins, high alcohol, medium plus body, medium plus intensity flavors consistent with aromas; medium plus finish, very ripe flavors
Feb 19th, 2020
Nice to try a library wine from their line up and this didn’t disappoint.
The nose shows; black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, dark plum, raspberries, strawberries, expresso roast, dark rich soils, crushed granitic soils, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, leather, a touch of smoke, sweet tarriness and bright red & dark florals.
The body is medium full. The tannins are cocoa, dry, tarry, meaty & sticky. The fruits brightly fresh juicy and bright. Black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, dark plum, raspberries, strawberries, expresso roast, dark rich soils, crushed granitic soils, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, leather, a touch of smoke, sweet tarriness and bright red & dark florals. The acidy is beautiful and the finish is delicious and well balanced. Nice Cabernet.
Photos of; Kanonkop tasting bar & room, bronze statue in their tasting room, old style canon that appears on their label and the mountain as viewed from their courtyard.
Nice to try a library wine from their line up and this didn’t disappoint.
The nose shows; black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, dark plum, raspberries, strawberries, expresso roast, dark rich soils, crushed granitic soils, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, leather, a touch of smoke, sweet tarriness and bright red & dark florals.
The body is medium full. The tannins are cocoa, dry, tarry, meaty & sticky. The fruits brightly fresh juicy and bright. Black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, dark plum, raspberries, strawberries, expresso roast, dark rich soils, crushed granitic soils, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, leather, a touch of smoke, sweet tarriness and bright red & dark florals. The acidy is beautiful and the finish is delicious and well balanced. Nice Cabernet.
Photos of; Kanonkop tasting bar & room, bronze statue in their tasting room, old style canon that appears on their label and the mountain as viewed from their courtyard.
Big, structured, primary. Very young.
Big, structured, primary. Very young.
48 in a restaurant! Seriously?! We can’t drink this well domestically at this price.
48 in a restaurant! Seriously?! We can’t drink this well domestically at this price.
Apr 14th, 2018
Deep ruby red. Layered nose with a touch herbaceous notes, dark red berries and a light black fruit too. Moderate tannins (7/10) and medium plus bodied. Nice spiciness with layers of dark fruits, black and dark red, as well as some dark gravel. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2030.
Deep ruby red. Layered nose with a touch herbaceous notes, dark red berries and a light black fruit too. Moderate tannins (7/10) and medium plus bodied. Nice spiciness with layers of dark fruits, black and dark red, as well as some dark gravel. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2030.
May 20th, 2017Sample from #CapeClassics.
Medium to deep ruby red. Very interesting nose, a lot more savory with some dirty and musky notes. A little gamey/iron too with smoked herbs. Very light spices with a bit of dark berries on the back end. Moderate tannins (6.5/10) with dark characteristics throughout the palate. Some dark red berries, some greenery and a little savory. Medium plus bodied with strong and tangy acidity. Long dry finish. This definitely needs more time to fully develop. Drink till 2017 till 2027.
Sample from #CapeClassics.
Medium to deep ruby red. Very interesting nose, a lot more savory with some dirty and musky notes. A little gamey/iron too with smoked herbs. Very light spices with a bit of dark berries on the back end. Moderate tannins (6.5/10) with dark characteristics throughout the palate. Some dark red berries, some greenery and a little savory. Medium plus bodied with strong and tangy acidity. Long dry finish. This definitely needs more time to fully develop. Drink till 2017 till 2027.
Nice ripe red fruit and current with undertones of mocha and vanilla. The color a nice violet hue with good intensity. Palate was round and balanced with a nice finish. #capesomm #WOSA
Nice ripe red fruit and current with undertones of mocha and vanilla. The color a nice violet hue with good intensity. Palate was round and balanced with a nice finish. #capesomm #WOSA
Mar 26th, 2016