Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2013

By , 17 May 2017

Comment

4

Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2013

Boom!

One is inclined to think of the Bordeaux-style red blend that is Paul Sauer from Stellenbosch property Kanonkop as the epitome of elegance and restraint but the 2013 is a bit of a bruiser.

A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc and 12% Merlot, it was matured in 100% new oak for 24 months and has an alcohol of 14.56%.

On the nose, it shows red, black and blue fruit, some vanilla and milk chocolate plus a hint of reduction while the palate is rich and smooth textured, not entirely short of freshness, the tannins still very firm. Plenty of weight and substance but perhaps at the expense of finesse. Port2Port price: R490 a bottle.

Editor’s rating: 89/100.

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Comments

4 comment(s)

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    Grant | 21 May 2017

    Rate what’s in the glass. That’s all that is required.

    Tom | 17 May 2017

    Do you consider 89 a bad score Greg? It seems pretty strong for the category. Plus, does a good track record / history determine the right to up score a wine based on potential? Should a maiden vintage producer with a wine of similar structure be marked less on account of being new? Surely not.

    Christian | 17 May 2017

    Hi Greg, Paul Sauer’s age-worthiness is well documented and the 2014 may well be a long way off drinking at its best. However, I have found the last five or so vintages unconvincing. I worry that 1) the vineyards are not as healthy as they should be and 2) they over-reach themselves when it comes to winemaking.

    Greg Sherwood MW | 17 May 2017

    Wow, 89pts. Are you sure you are scoring this wine on its potential? Or purely what’s in the glass right now in front of you? You know a wine like this will be amazing in 10, 15, 20 years time. Surely a wine with a track record and great proven potential needs to have thatincorporated into potential score? I’ve not tasted yet but will do so soon.

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