Kanonkop Pinotage 2021, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, South Africa

Kanonkop Estate is situated on the lower slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain in the Stellenbosch Region of the Cape and confidently boasts some of South Africa’s most premium wines. The vineyards range between 197 and 395 feet above sea level. The majority of the vineyards are situated on southwest-facing slopes. The soils are predominantly red decomposed granite with a high clay content and excellent water retention capacity. Kanonkop’s Pinotage vines were some of the first to be established commercially in the Cape. Age of vines – 32-66 year old bush vines. Vintage conditions: 2021: Warmer periods during the latter part of the winter resulted in some uneven budding, flowering and fruit set. The late start to the 2021 harvest was one of the distinguishing hallmarks of this vintage. The cooler growing conditions of the 2021 vintage produced elegant wines with softer tannin structures that will make them accessible and drinkable from an earlier age. Winemaking / maturation: Fermented in open top concrete fermenters at 28 degrees 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: Bright red in color, with a purple hue. This Pinotage offers bold plums, blackberries, with layers of liquorice, smoke, roasted nuts, and rich vanilla on the nose. Followed by a palate packed with plums, black and red cherries, and dark chocolate, and spicy oak, The integrated and plush ripe tannins together with the satisfying acidity results in a balanced wine with a long finish, promising great maturation potential.