Critics Ratings

Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
‘2010 very youthful, still way off showing at its best. Cranberry & cassis, subtle leafy note, hint of vanilla. Medium bodied with bright acidity before a pleasantly austere finish.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide, 4* (2014)

‘A sleek, taut style, with good energy to the core of black currant, plum and anise flavors, lined with mouthwatering iron and briar notes. The long finish lets the iron edge play out with a flicker of rooibos tea that should emerge more with cellaring.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Apr 2014)

Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
‘Invitingly fresh, pure blackberry aromas on 11 (4.5*); touch fruitier profile than 10 & previous but soundly anchored by authoritative tannins, concentration & length. Good prospects.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2015, 4.5*

‘Good deep red. Initially mute nose reveals scents of strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and iron with air. Much sweeter in the mouth than the nose suggests (but with only 2 g/l r.s.), with dark berry fruits complicated by subtle dried herbs and flowers. Not at all green but nicely cool, displaying brisk acidity and a fine-grained texture. Finishes with a firm structure and excellent length. This is built for a graceful evolution in bottle.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com (June 2015), 92/100

‘Alluring, with a black tea note weaving around supple blackberry, black cherry and plum fruit flavors. Shows a lingering mineral hint on the finish, with a loamy accent, but stays polished overall. Best from 2016 through 2021. 100 cases imported.’ – Wine Spectator (June 2015), 91/100

Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
'Quintessential Kanonkop Cabernet. Handsomely structured with fine-toned muscle, imposing tannic grip framing subtle walnut, dark fruit Intrigue. Age-worthy classic from excellent vintage.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5*

'The Kanonkop Cabernet style favours elegance over extraction, and that’s certainly the case here in this classic, refined, and well balanced expression of the grape. Subtle, integrated oak, bright acidity and fine-boned tannins are complemented by leafy, floral notes. Effortless stuff. Drink: 2016-24' - Tim Atkin SA Wine Report 2016, 93/100

Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
'Generally among the top varietal Cabernets in South Africa - no surprises given the talent of its winemaker - this is a serious, densely structured red that’s built to age in bottle. Incense and cassis notes are framed by savoury tannins. Drink 2020-30' – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 94/100

'Sweet black fruit on the nose and palate, leading into a slightly sickly note on the finish. Smoothly tannic and plump of body, with acidity that seems perhaps a little overdosed? Well integrated oak spice. Lingering smoky notes.' – Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16/20 (Mar 2019)

'Refined, with mature black tea, sage, tobacco and cedar notes infusing the core of lightly mulled black currant and plum fruit. The fine-grained finish lets the cedar element linger, while the fruit keeps pace. Drink now through 2022.' – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 91/100 (2019)

Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
'A Cape classic and consistent top performer in this guide, 5 stars (one of only 2) in the inaugural edition, 2015 makes it
12 maximum ratings total. Refined and sensual rather than austere and cerebral, with forthcoming textbook cassis aromas/flavours, cedar seasoning, polished tannins from 2 years in 50% new oak. Like 2014 (4.5 stars, 94 points) and previous, has both immediate appeal and minimum 10 years cellaring potential.' - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2020, 5* (95/100)

‘"In a great vintage, Cabernet can stand by itself," according to Abrie Beeslaar, and 2015 is certainly up there with the very best of them. For people who missed out on my 100-point rated 2015 Paul Sauer, this gives you an indication of why the wine is so special. Scented, polished and youthful, with the structure and acidity to age well in bottle. 2021-32.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 94/100

'Bright crimson. Subtler nose than most. Firm blackcurrant-liqueur aroma and then a tight, ambitious charge of tannins. Pretty sweet on the end. Not nearly ready.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (Feb 2020)

Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client