Kanonkop Estate
Kadette Rosé Pinotage
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
South Africa is the country that champions “Pinotage”. It’s a cross of two grape varieties, Pinot Noir & Cinsaut and was created in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University. Kanonkop has embraced this varietal since 1941 and are one of the best in producing it...some would say, the very best.
There are many poor examples of this varietal on the market. You need to research/taste the bottles you might buy. However, in most vintages, you can’t go wrong with Kanonkop, (Ka non’ kop).
We started with their Rosé which was good but, not great. There are just too many other better varietals to make a Rosé from IMHO. Kanonkop simply needed a lighter wine in their line up. So, why not? 🤷♂️
The nose reveals; strawberries, lean watermelon, cherries, orange with rind, chalky notes, sea spray and pink flowers & roses.
The body is thick and a touch gluey. The fruits are lean; strawberries, lean watermelon, cherries, orange with rind leading to strong granite minerals, chalky notes, sea spray and pink flowers & roses. The acidity is quite round and nice. A big, lean fruit finish with strong minerals as it sets on the palate.
Photos of; Kanonkop tasting room, Heidi Kritzinger their Customer Relations Manager (what a passionate, knowledgeable, wonderful lady & an excellent host) with my wife & I, the old style canon that appears on their labels and the mountain range that Kanonkop takes their name. The small mountain plateau on the left is where they took their Cellar Door name, it’s referred to as Kanonkop.
South Africa is the country that champions “Pinotage”. It’s a cross of two grape varieties, Pinot Noir & Cinsaut and was created in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University. Kanonkop has embraced this varietal since 1941 and are one of the best in producing it...some would say, the very best.
There are many poor examples of this varietal on the market. You need to research/taste the bottles you might buy. However, in most vintages, you can’t go wrong with Kanonkop, (Ka non’ kop).
We started with their Rosé which was good but, not great. There are just too many other better varietals to make a Rosé from IMHO. Kanonkop simply needed a lighter wine in their line up. So, why not? 🤷♂️
The nose reveals; strawberries, lean watermelon, cherries, orange with rind, chalky notes, sea spray and pink flowers & roses.
The body is thick and a touch gluey. The fruits are lean; strawberries, lean watermelon, cherries, orange with rind leading to strong granite minerals, chalky notes, sea spray and pink flowers & roses. The acidity is quite round and nice. A big, lean fruit finish with strong minerals as it sets on the palate.
Photos of; Kanonkop tasting room, Heidi Kritzinger their Customer Relations Manager (what a passionate, knowledgeable, wonderful lady & an excellent host) with my wife & I, the old style canon that appears on their labels and the mountain range that Kanonkop takes their name. The small mountain plateau on the left is where they took their Cellar Door name, it’s referred to as Kanonkop.
