This is the entry level wine from Kanonkop, but that really isn’t giving it enough credit. This has been described in the past as Kanonkop’s second wine, in the same way that Bordeaux houses produce second wines and it is a fairly apt description. The wine is a more youthful and lighter version of the estates top wine Paul Sauer, designed to be drunk young. The blend is a Bordeaux style split between Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc but with about 50% of the blend taken up by Pinotage. This blend is becoming quite popular amongst South African winemakers who want a modern style of wine that will appeal to a European drinker. The blend then spends up to 16 months in French oak to mature and add complexity. The other varietals soften the aggressive nature of the Pinotage and give the wine a rich fruity style with a deep ruby, red colour. It shows ripe raspberries, black currant and mocha flavours on the nose with the Bordeaux style of the blend showing as a plumy cassis and leathery tones. The palate follows through with yet more dark blackberry fruit as well as dark chocolate and some soft raspberry fruit and an earthy herbaceous quality giving a good length from the fruit with a dry and smooth finish.
