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Monday, December 2, 2013

Kanonkop Estate Paul Sauer 2009 94 Points


From a spectacular vintage, this is testament how much the South African wine industry have changed, no one was spared in their quest for physiological ripeness and it has never been that high, where many wineries just experience hit and run sudden death by pushing their picking dates later and later, producing, bottling and releasing dead fruit, raisin, high pH (close to 4 and over 3.8!), brown rim at 2 years old, syrupy red wine, with no energy, freshness by means of added acidity, rather than natural, a disaster with food pairings, this shows the combination of terroir and tradition goes together if it is respected!!
The alcohol might be high at 14% abv vs the 12% abv of their 1989 vintage Paul Sauer, nevertheless, this is a dense offering with slight garnet rim (it’s 4+ years), with purple reflection towards the centre, bright purity, fragrant combination of perfectly ripe Cabernet fruit and new oak barrel, St Julien like, seamless, impressive depth and length, the question however is will it age as beautifully and retain a pin point freshness as the 1989? As right now 2009 is an absolute cracker, does it have the stamina to hold for 17+ years after vintage? Time will tell J
Alcohol: high | 14%abv

Origin: Simonsberg - Stellenbosch

Notes: cassis | blackcurrant | peppery | spicy |earthy | leather

Ideal drinking occasions: very special occasions

Serve with: roast cote de boeuf, sauce Bearnaise


Drink: now until 2025+