Kanonkop: talent and terroir, the perfect combination
'2015: Overall, it is the best vintage I have tasted from South Africa in 26 years of writing about the country's wines, combining fruit concentration with acidity, depth with finesse.' - Tim Atkin, South Africa Report
Kanonkop may be famous for its Pinotage but for me it is the Bordeaux blends and varietals that are the jewels in the crown. The vineyards are right to the top of the Kanonkop hill and their altitude, exposure to sun and wind, and their climate are all superb. In the amazing 2015 vintage the Cabernet Sauvignon has truly excelled with gorgeous lip-smacking fruit and restrained oak flavours cut with beautifully judged, balancing acidity and fine tannins.
Noted South African specialist Tim Atkin MW has Kanonkop firmly ensconced in the First Growth section of his Cape Classification. There are two main reasons for this. One is terroir in the accepted sense of location, soils and climate. The second is terroir+talent - with the addition of skilled human intervention. Kanonkop is based on the slopes of its eponymous hill (kop) and is the site where cannon were fired to alert farmers to the arrival of ships in the bay below. They would then set out with their wagons of produce. That hill comprises some of Africa's, and so the world's, oldest soils, a fortuitous mix of ancient decomposed granite and clay. The plantations are between 180 and 360 metres above sea level and exposed to breezes, helping to keep things cool. Even now average summer maximums are around 28C during the day and a good 10-12C lower at night.
The human element includes Abrie Breeslar, whom Tim Atkin awarded his Winemaker of the Year accolade in the same report as his vintage quote above. But from 1968 when Jan 'Boland' Coetzee joined as winemaker and viticulturalist, Kanonkop has thrived on the services of three extraordinary leaders. Coetzee was succeeded in 1980 by the legend that is Beyers Truter and they laid the foundations and built the reputation that Abrie Breeslar is now taking to new heights. /CW
'A Cape classic & consistent top performer in this guide, 5 stars (one of only 2) in the inaugural edition, 2015 makes it 12 maximum ratings total. Refined & sensual rather than austere & cerebral, with forthcoming textbook cassis aromas/flavours, cedar seasoning, polished tannins from 2 years in 50% new oak. Like 2014 (4.5 stars, 94 pts) & previous, has both immediate appeal & minimum 10 years cellaring potential.' 5* & 95 points, Cathy van Zyl, Platter's Wine Guide
Offered subject to confirmation; available imminently
