Kanonkop Estate

Simonsberg Stellenbosch Pinotage

9.135 ratings
9.06 pro ratings
Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
Pinotage
Chili & Hot Spicy, Hard Cheese, Beef, White Rice, Mushrooms, Pork, Venison, Potato, Tomato-Based, Pungent Cheese, Lamb, Pasta, Salami & Prosciutto, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Fifth of the reds in our South African blind tasting. This is the benchmark bottling for Pinotage throughout the world, and a must try for anyone willing to get out and try it. Deep ruby red. A bit savory on the nose with lots of sweet spices, chalk, woody elements and dark berries. Medium tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. Layered palate with earthy notes, some bramble berries and cherries. Long finish. Drink till 2030.

Fifth of the reds in our South African blind tasting. This is the benchmark bottling for Pinotage throughout the world, and a must try for anyone willing to get out and try it. Deep ruby red. A bit savory on the nose with lots of sweet spices, chalk, woody elements and dark berries. Medium tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. Layered palate with earthy notes, some bramble berries and cherries. Long finish. Drink till 2030.

Dec 2nd, 2017
David L

Simply amazing

Simply amazing

Dec 2nd, 2017
markus gould

slightly eucalyptus, tar, spices, leather and horse gout, rubber and medium dark fruit.
then showing a rustic elegance (sic!), playing a shiraz undertone.
finish o-kay, with a bit old russian tea alike brittle and dehydrating afterhall.

slightly eucalyptus, tar, spices, leather and horse gout, rubber and medium dark fruit.
then showing a rustic elegance (sic!), playing a shiraz undertone.
finish o-kay, with a bit old russian tea alike brittle and dehydrating afterhall.

1 person found it helpfulMay 1st, 2016
Paul Masson

Inky purple with classic "smoky" character, plus game and mocha

Inky purple with classic "smoky" character, plus game and mocha

Nov 11th, 2015
Shawn Paul

Never thought I'd see the day...quite delicious, no ashtray smell/ taste here, drinks like an austere kind of Vacqueyras from a warm vintage.

Never thought I'd see the day...quite delicious, no ashtray smell/ taste here, drinks like an austere kind of Vacqueyras from a warm vintage.

Sep 15th, 2015
Ely Cohn

Pinotage is a grape everyone loves to hate, but I think it has parts to love. Kanonkop makes an ambitious, bold showy wine that swings big, has to nail it, and mostly does. To me, the Pinotage tell is a thing of smoking wet tar and milk chocolate coffee sludge. That's here. Follows with black pepper, bourbon spice and a curious banana note which I think may just be oak and smoke stacked sideways. Then follow the dark fruits. Blue plums and blackberries, and an underlying mineral saltiness. There's lots here and lots to love.

Pinotage is a grape everyone loves to hate, but I think it has parts to love. Kanonkop makes an ambitious, bold showy wine that swings big, has to nail it, and mostly does. To me, the Pinotage tell is a thing of smoking wet tar and milk chocolate coffee sludge. That's here. Follows with black pepper, bourbon spice and a curious banana note which I think may just be oak and smoke stacked sideways. Then follow the dark fruits. Blue plums and blackberries, and an underlying mineral saltiness. There's lots here and lots to love.

Apr 4th, 2021
Skyler Davis

Yes please....🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Yes please....🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Jan 25th, 2018
Steven Lee

In between pinot nior and barolo. Grippy tannin with a pretty good structure and balance. Lacking minerality. Have the usual raspberry and some black fruit. First time having pinotage. Do have a resemblance of cote du nuit

In between pinot nior and barolo. Grippy tannin with a pretty good structure and balance. Lacking minerality. Have the usual raspberry and some black fruit. First time having pinotage. Do have a resemblance of cote du nuit

Feb 18th, 2017
Laura Fashoda

Purple fruit opened up to deep red. Smoky and gorgeous.

Purple fruit opened up to deep red. Smoky and gorgeous.

Jul 16th, 2016
Amy Reitnouer

EVERYBODY STOP HATING ON PINOTAGE. IT IS DELICIOUS AND SPECIAL.

EVERYBODY STOP HATING ON PINOTAGE. IT IS DELICIOUS AND SPECIAL.

Jan 13th, 2016