Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

2012
The 2012 Black Label Pinotage was the highest scoring wine in Tim Atkin MW's 2014 report on South African wines.

'This superlative example of the Cape's very own red grape comes from a single vineyard of 60-year-old vines. There are only 1,500 bottles to go round, but what a wine it is. The texture is Pinot Noir like, but the flavours show notes of graphite and black fruits, with deftly integrated oak adding extra polish. Plush, silky and very complex. Drink: 2015-30' - Tim Atkin SA Wine Report 2014, 97/100

'A wine of grandeur, authority. With its exotic yet pure dusky fruits, spice, finely toned muscle and composure. 2012 elevates the grape to a level beyond mere varietal character. All-new French oak seamlessly absorbed' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2015, 5*

'The aromatics on the 2012 show a more savoury, earthy, tilled earth character with elegant notes of red currant, earthy black plum and bramble berry sapidity. The palate shows hints of incense and waxy black fruits, sweet and sour tangy acids and a crisp vitality of black berry crunch. The tannins are elegant and fine grained and the palate texture sleek, polished and harmonious with chalky, grippy tannins lending structure and shape to the long, granitic finish. A slightly different vintage that expresses its own unique character.' - Greg Sherwood MW, 96+/100 (Nov 2022)

'A decade on and this is just showing the first real hints of a savoury character. Again, slow to reveal its perfumed charms, but then delicate cigar box, undergrowth and redbush tea complexity alongside the red plum and darker brambles. The tannins are elegant and sinewy and there's a lingering pepper finish, but its the refreshing, flowing acidity that really makes this stand out.' - Tina Gelie, Decanter, 94/100 (May 2022)

2013
'There are only 3,500 bottles of this incredible wine, produced from a three-hectare block of 62-year-old Pinotage, so it will be in demand, even at what is a high price for South Africa. Dense, complex and concentrated, it's a wine that supersedes its grape variety's limitations: plush, aromatic and sweet, with black and red fruits in delicous harmony, carrying its 100% new oak with style. Simply brlliant. Drink: 2016-30.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 97/100

'2013 celebrates vineyard's 60th anniversary in fine fashion. Serene in its concentration, with fine line of energy lifting ripe, dark fruits, viscosity. All in place, including new French oak, for lengthy ageing. As grand as 2012 (5 stars, 95 pts).' - Platter's SA Wine Guide, 4.5* (2016)

'Pinotage's Pinot Noir parentage makes itself felt in this elegant wine. Aromas of red cherry, dusky rose, incense and smoky, earthy minerals continue on the lithe, vibrant palate which is lifted by brisk, flowing acidity. Flavours are denser and darker than the nose, showing more purple and black berries and tarry hints, and are supported by soft, powdery tannins. Deliciously understated.' - Tina Gellie, Decanter, 95/100 (May 2022)

2014
'There are only 5,000 bottle of this stellar Pinotage, but it's still well worth tracking down. Made from a block planted in 1953 and aged entirely in new oak, it's as good as the variety gets: structured, sweet, concentrated and savoury, with densely textured blackberry fruit, a twist of ginger and the power to age. Drink: 2017-30' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2016, 97/100

'Glossy, deep garnet. Grilled beef, dried black fruit, balsamic and gently spiced - fully mature nose. Plenty of volume on the palate, with comparatively light, peppery tannins. Supple. Ready now.' - Tim Jackson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (May 2022)

'There's a lifted, vibrant impression to the nose of this impressive, well-crafted wine. It's a pleasant surprise, as it lends levity and definition to the notes of black cherry, crushed purple flowers, licorice root and earth. The mouthfeel is plush and mouthfilling, yet not oppressively so, with ample acidity and structured but velvety tannins. The rich, ripe and robust palate leads into a long finish. It promises a long life of beautiful evolution ahead, maturing to reveal greater nuance and elegance, so cellar through 2030.' - Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast, 93/100 (Apr 2018)

'The 'grandfather' of farm's pinotage trio, from 61 year old senior citizen vineyard. 2014 biggest, richest & grandest of them; just soaks up 100% new French oak & grape's famously reverberating tannins. Already approachable, also years in store.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5*

'The 2014 Black Label Pinotage has a well-defined bouquet with lovely cranberry and loganberry fruit, sage and a freshly tilled earth. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, a cooler and more masculine Black Label with a sense of reserve towards the finish, as if holding something back. There is plenty of freshness here, long in the mouth, but I would cellar this away for 4-5 years, because I am sure it will develop, rewarding secondary notes and flavors. Just 5,000 bottles produced.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93/100

'"Icon" is a loaded word when it comes to wine, but the Black Label Pinotage from Kanonkop in Stellenbosch is on track to becoming just that. The current-release 2014 shows a slight reductive/rubbery note on the nose as well as cherries and plums, spice and a slight herbal note. The palate has both breadth and depth; sweet fruited on entry, fresh acidity and properly ripe fruit tannins making for a long, dry finish. Seems more accessible than the monumental 2013.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 92/100