Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2021

WINEMAKER:  Abrie Beeslaar

COMPOSITION:  Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 17%, Cabernet Franc 13% 

ORIGIN:  Simonsberg, Stellenbosch 

AGE OF VINES:  On average 31 years

IRRIGATION:  Dry land vineyards and supplemental

SOIL TYPE:  Decomposed Granite, Hutton and Clovelly

YIELD:  4 tons/ha; 2750 l/ha

AGEING POTENTIAL:  20 to 25 years from vintage

PRODUCTION VOLUME:  8 700 cases (6 x 750ml)

FOOD PAIRING: All types of steak | Meat Casseroles Roast leg of lamb | Matured cheeses

VINTAGE CONDITIONS:  Warmer periods during the latter part of the winter resulted in some un-even budding, flowering and fruit set. The moisture levels in the soils were satisfactory throughout the growing and ripening phase, and very little moisture stress was noticeable on the vines. The late start to the 2021 harvest was one of the distinguishing hallmarks of this vintage. The cooler growing conditions of the 2021 vintage resulted in elegant wines.

WINEMAKING / MATURATION:  5 days on skins in open fermenters @ 29 °C. The floating skins were punched down by hand every 2 hours during fermentation. The juice was drawn off the skins afer 5 days. Afer malolactic fermentation the wine was matured for 24 months in 100% new 225l French Nevers oak barrels.

TASTING NOTES: Deep ruby colour. A classic, perfumed nose packed with cherries, cassis, cedar, cigar box, tea leaves and tomato paste, followed by a palate of cassis, cranberries, savoury plum and sweet vanilla. A complex multi-layered, refined wine with a beautiful structure, balanced acidity, elegant, fine grained tannins and a long, persistent finish.