Kanonkop Wine Estate : Black Label Pinotage 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Black Label Pinotage 2023 Kanonkop Wine Estate

Tasting

Colour
This South African red wine displays a dark, deep and particularly intense colour, reminiscent of ink.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with vivid aromas of black cherry, plum and delicate floral touches. On aeration, it reveals fine complexity with notes of liquorice, dark chocolate and vanilla-tinged spice.

Palate
The attack is round and juicy, revealing an elegant palate dominated by generous black fruit, subtle nuances of lavender and a hint of umami. The tannins, both soft and chalky, integrate perfectly into the structure. The long, distinctly dry finish is elevated by a smooth touch of liquorice.

Food and wine pairing

This great red wine pairs wonderfully with grilled meats such as beef or venison, pork belly, or roast duck served with a red fruit sauce. It also enhances aromatic curries, grilled firm-fleshed fish, as well as umami-rich dishes such as mushrooms or aged cheeses.

Service and storage

Boasting remarkable ageing potential, the Black Label Pinotage 2023 can be cellared to develop until around 2043.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol level of 14%, a pH of 4.02 and a residual sugar level of 3.2 g/l.

The authentic, complex expression of a Pinotage from Stellenbosch

The estate

Founded in 1929 by Paul Sauer, Kanonkop Wine Estate is a leading name located in the Stellenbosch wine region, within the Western Cape in South Africa. Now run by brothers Johann and Paul Krige, who represent the fourth generation, the estate spans 95 hectares. Renowned worldwide for its commitment to classic methods, Kanonkop Wine Estate is celebrated for producing red wines of remarkable consistency and quality, under the guidance of talented winemaker Abrie Beeslaar.

The vineyard

Located on the foothills of the imposing Simonsberg mountain in Stellenbosch, the vineyard rises to between 180 and 365 metres in altitude. The vines, grown without irrigation according to sustainable farming principles, thrive on very old soils of decomposed granite and Hutton-type soils. This unique terroir benefits from cool air currents coming off the Atlantic Ocean, encouraging slow and optimal ripening of the grapes. This cuvée comes from a single plot of old vines planted in 1953, offering naturally limited yields.

The vintage

The growing cycle began after a late, dry winter, offset by good rainfall in June. The dry spring, punctuated by cold spells, allowed for even budburst and kept disease pressure very low. Finally, a particularly wet December encouraged the development of more generous berries.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes are harvested by hand. After destemming, the berries undergo a rigorous triple sorting process (mechanical, vibrating table and optical) before being transferred into open concrete fermenters. Fermentation is accompanied by manual punch-downs every two hours. After three days of skin maceration and malolactic fermentation, the Black Label Pinotage 2023 is aged for 18 months in entirely new French Nevers oak barrels.

Grape variety

100% Pinotage