2012 Kanonkop Paul Sauer

Wine: 2012 Kanonkop Paul Sauer
Estate: Kanonkop Wine Estate

Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Winemaker: Abrie Beeslaar
Elevage: 24 months in 100% new French oak with a medium toast.
Varietal: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Merlot

Decant: Unknown.

Location: Kanonkop Wine Estate in Stellenbosch on 12/19/2015.

Tasting Note:

Color: Crimson red.

Nose/Smell: Smokey, a little dirty and chalk with medium intensity.

Palate/Taste: Lots of red cherries a little tight. High tannins (7.5/10) making it super furry and full body. Very powerful and long, lingering finish.

Opinion: One of the powerhouse Bordeaux blends out of South Africa. Absolutely delicious. Easily worth an American or French bottle at two to three times the price point...possibly even four times the price. Amazing QPR! Wish we had space to pick some up.

Dates: Now till 2037.
Rating: 93+

Price: $$ - R430.00 or $28.67 as of 12/19/2015

2011 Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine: 2011 Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon
Estate: Kanonkop Wine Estate

Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Winemaker: Abrie Beeslaar
Elevage: 24 months in 50% new French oak and 50% second fill French oak.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Decant: Unknown.

Location: Kanonkop Wine Estate in Stellenbosch on 12/19/2015.

Tasting Note:

Color: Garnet red.

Nose/Smell: Tea leaves, slight cassis and a lot of smoke.

Palate/Taste: Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and a full body. Lots of red cherries and slightly tangy. Sandpaper mouthfeel. Dry finish. Long and lingering finish. Tannins are heavy throughout.

Opinion: Built in the French style, nice and dry. Not fruit forward or silky at all. Can easily age for 20 years. This wine is fermented in open top fermentors. Kanonkop continues to surprise with these powerful wines. A must stop location in Stellenbosch.

Dates: Now till 2035.
Rating: 92

Price: $ - R300.00 or $20.00 as of 12/19/2015

2006 Kanonkop Pinotage

Wine: 2006 Kanonkop Pinotage
Estate: Kanonkop Wine Estate

Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Winemaker: Abrie Beeslaar
Elevage: 16 months in 80% new French oak, primarily Vicard barrels, and 20% second fill French oak.
Varietal: 100% Pinotage

Decant: Unknown.

Location: Kanonkop Wine Estate in Stellenbosch on 12/19/2015.

Tasting Note:

Color: Garnet red with some bricking around the edges.

Nose/Smell: Very savory, meaty notes and mesquite smoke.

Palate/Taste: Moderate tannins (6/10) and full bodied. Very well integrated and savory. Solid acidity and all fits very well together. Long and lingering finish.

Opinion: A lot more approachable than the 2013. Of course a lot softer tannins and more integrated. Can easily last up to another 10 years but would be perfect before 2020.

Dates: Now till 2026.
Rating: 93

Price: $ - R370.00 or $24.67 as of 12/19/2015

2013 Kanonkop Pinotage

Wine: 2013 Kanonkop Pinotage
Estate: Kanonkop Wine Estate

Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Winemaker: Abrie Beeslaar
Elevage: 16 months in 75% new French oak and 25% second fill French oak.
Varietal: 100% Pinotage

Decant: Unknown.

Location: Kanonkop Wine Estate in Stellenbosch on 12/19/2015.

Tasting Note:

Color: Ruby red with a purple rim.

Nose/Smell: Lovely nose! Savory with meaty notes. Vanilla from the new oak and lots of dark fruits. And lots of chalk!

Palate/Taste: Heavy tannins (8/10) with a full body. Very furry and makes you pucker. Actually quite refreshing. Very long and lingering full powerful finish.

Opinion: We only picked up the 2006 at the estate and thank goodness they sell the 2013 here at home! Very powerful and will easily age and will only benefit from aging. Absolutely delicious!

Dates: Now till 2035.
Rating: 92+

Price: $ - R280.00 or $18.67 as of 12/19/2015
Update: In the USA it goes fro around $36.00 - $$

2014 Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage

Wine: 2014 Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage
Estate: Kanonkop Wine Estate

Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Winemaker: Abrie Beeslaar
Elevage: 14 months in second and third fill French Nevers oak.
Varietal: 100% Pinotage

Decant: Unknown.

Location: Kanonkop Wine Estate in Stellenbosch on 12/19/2015.

Tasting Note:

Color: Crimson red.

Nose/Smell: Lots of dark fruits, such as plums and mulberries.

Palate/Taste: Very interesting, on the palate there are red fruits not dark fruits. Crisp and refreshing. Moderate tannins (6/10) and moderate body. Clean and moderate finish.

Opinion: Same ageability as the cape blend but slightly better. Definitely an amazing QPR wine!

Dates: Now till 2020.
Rating: 88

Price: $ - R90.00 or $6.00 as of 12/19/2015

2013 Kanonkop Kadette Cape Blend

Wine: 2013 Kanonkop Kadette Cape Blend
Estate: Kanonkop Wine Estate

Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Winemaker: Abrie Beeslaar
Elevage: 12 - 14 months in second and third fill French Nevers oak.
Varietal: 54% Pinotage, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc.

Decant: Unknown.

Location: Kanonkop Wine Estate in Stellenbosch on 12/19/2015.

Tasting Note:

Color: Garnet red.

Nose/Smell: A little dirty initially with notes of hay. Undertones of light red fruits.
Palate/Taste: Lots of red cherries. Moderate tannins (5.5/10) and a light to moderate body. Lighter finish but the tannins stay strong throughout.
Opinion: This is one of the entry level wines from Kanonkop. Could possible benefit from aging, max 5 years.
Dates: Now till 2020.
Rating: 87

Price: $ - R80.00 or $5.33 as of 12/19/2015

2015 Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage Rose

Wine: 2015 Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage Rose
Estate: Kanonkop Wine Estate

Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Winemaker: Abrie Beeslaar
Elevage: 100% Stainless Steel.
Varietal: 100% Pinotage

Decant: Unknown.

Location: Kanonkop Wine Estate in Stellenbosch on 12/19/2015.

Tasting Note:

Slightly orange pink. Nose was clean, fresh and contained some light spices. Additionally this has a ton of lighter tropical fruits such as melons and guavas. Slightly metallic attack. Crisp with low acidity (4/10) which could easily be masked by the temperature this wine is served at (46°F). Has a little bite and a little spiciness. Light body but is very well balanced. Nothing overpowering that gives us a migraine. Dry and clean finish. This would be a great summer picnic wine. The color comes from 2 hrs on the skins.
Dates: Now till 2017.
Rating: 85

Price: $ - R50.00 or $3.33 as of 12/19/2015.