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Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage 2020
About this Wine
By the mid-1980s, Kanonkop was experiencing an ever-growing demand for its estate wines. This had led to new plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage. While the new vineyards were a blessing in terms of future increased volumes, the ethos of Kanonkop’s cellar, under Beyers Truter at the time, required that these newer vines reach a certain stage of maturity before the fruit was deemed good enough to be vinified into a wine that portrayed the depth and complexity associated with Kanonkop.
It was Jannie Krige who came up with the idea of making a second label under the name Kadette. The thinking behind the new name was logical: with the military association of ‘kanon’ (cannon) in Kanonkop, the Kadette was deemed a deserved junior to the more senior main brand.
The grapes used in the Kadette range of wines no longer come from the Kanonkop vineyards; the demand is too great and the volume required simply too large. However, every bunch of grapes brought in for the making of Kadette is subjected to the same meticulous processes in the winery as the Estate range.
This wine features the classic characteristics of South Africa’s famous home-grown grape variety. Autumnal, juicy dark fruit is complemented by an enticing savoury character with just a hint of underlying sweetness. Ageing in used French oak barrels produces a lean, muscular structure and supple tannins.
Tasting Notes
WINEMAKER Abrie Beeslaar
COMPOSITION 100% Pinotage
ORIGIN Stellenbosch
AGE OF VINES 7 to 22 years
IRRIGATION Supplemental
SOIL TYPE Decomposed Granite and Hutton
YIELD 6 – 7 tons per hectare
AGEING POTENTIAL 5 to 7 years from vintage
PRODUCTION VOLUME 80 000 cases (6 x 750ml)
FOOD PAIRING Pizza | Pasta | Barbequed meat | Venison
stew | Beef or lamb burgers | Thai cuisine
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
The preceding winter had sufficient rain and cold units. Throughout the
harvesting period the weather remained favourable, with relatively warm
days, no significant heatwaves and cool night temperatures.
WINEMAKING / MATURATION
Fermentation took place in open top concrete fermenters at 280C. The floating
skins were punched down mechanically, every 2 hours during fermentation.
The juice was drawn off the skins after 3 days. After malolactic fermentation
the wine was matured for 12 months in 2nd and 3rd fill 225L French Nevers
oak barrels.
TASTING NOTES
Attractive deep plum, with scented aromas of red currants, black cherry,
strawberry confit and nutmeg and wood spice. The palate is medium-full
bodied and opulent, with finely textured tannins and flavours of red pastille
sweets, bright cherries and a hint of nutmeg oak spice and dark chocolate.
The acidity is in balance with the fruit and wood components, and adds a
sparkle of freshness to the red and black fruit flavours on the finish.
Scores & Reviews
92 pts Tim Atkin MW 2022
Like the Kadette Pinotage, this is a very impressive red, especially given its volume and price tag. Made with a 65/35 split of purchased and home-grown grapes, it has graceful tannins, nuanced oak and cassis, bramble and dried herb flavours. Textbook stuff. 2022-27
4 Stars Platter’s South Wine Guide
Dark berries & a hint of banana on bright, sweet-fruited & juicy but dry enough 20 (88 pts). Broad, smooth tannin structure makes for early drinkability, but certainly no hurry here.
By the mid-1980s, Kanonkop was experiencing an ever-growing demand for its estate wines. This had led to new plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage. While the new vineyards were a blessing in terms of future increased volumes, the ethos of Kanonkop’s cellar, under Beyers Truter at the time, required that these newer vines reach a certain stage of maturity before the fruit was deemed good enough to be vinified into a wine that portrayed the depth and complexity associated with Kanonkop.
It was Jannie Krige who came up with the idea of making a second label under the name Kadette. The thinking behind the new name was logical: with the military association of ‘kanon’ (cannon) in Kanonkop, the Kadette was deemed a deserved junior to the more senior main brand.
The grapes used in the Kadette range of wines no longer come from the Kanonkop vineyards; the demand is too great and the volume required simply too large. However, every bunch of grapes brought in for the making of Kadette is subjected to the same meticulous processes in the winery as the Estate range.
This wine features the classic characteristics of South Africa’s famous home-grown grape variety. Autumnal, juicy dark fruit is complemented by an enticing savoury character with just a hint of underlying sweetness. Ageing in used French oak barrels produces a lean, muscular structure and supple tannins.
$16.99
