91 pts vinous Feb 2021

The 2018 Kadette Cape Blend comprises 37% Pinotage, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, matured for 12–24 months in French barrels from Nevers. The bouquet offers a mixture of red and black plums, a touch of white pepper and a light Provençal herb note. It opens nicely with aeration. The palate is very well balanced with fine tannins and crisp acidity that lends an appealing edginess. A little earthy in style, but the fruit comes through toward the finish and leaves residues of black pepper and tangy seaweed on the finish. This is a supremely well made Cape Blend from Kanonkop.

90 pts Tim Atkin MW January 2021

You can only applaud a winery – especially one as famous as Kanonkop – that makes 1.7 million bottles of a wine of this quality. Dominated by Pinotage, with the remaining 67% made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it’s a floral, textured, well-structured cuvee with notes of mint and dried herbs and a core of cassis and raspberry fruit.