This historic winery is situated on the slopes of the Simonsberg mountains.Its name is derived from ‘Koppie’ from which a canon was fired in the 17th century to alert farmers of ships entering table Bay .They have 100 hectares of vineyards mainly pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon . Focus is on top quality red wines especially Pinotage. Kanonkop is run by 2 brothers Johann and Paul Krige. The family run ethos have resulted in only three winemakers in the last 48 years. Arbrie Beeslaar is the current winemaker whose mother in law I coincidentally sat next to on the flight from London !
Wines tasted
Pinotage Rose 2015
Fresh citrus and raspberries
Kadette Cape Blend Pinotage 2015,Big production 65000 cases smoke toast blackberry
Kadette Pinotage 2015
19000 cases spicy rubber entry level
Kanonkop Pinotage 2014
30 to 60 year old bush wines vines 6000 cases
Complex nose concentrated medicinal herbaceous spicy coffee black fruit soft tannins chocolate
Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
3500 cases cassis black currant leaf
Kanonkop Pinotage 2001
Coffee chocolate medicinal savoury soy sauce soft tannins truffles + lovely a good indicator of what aged South African Pinotage can deliver
Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2013
CF CS Merlot liquorice black currant
Rustenberg was founded in 1682 and is situated at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountains . It’s a Cape gem with beautiful Cape Dutch thatched roofed buildings, a historic gabled manor house , extensive landscaped gardens and vineyards. John X Merriman, a former Cape Prime minister bought the property in 1892. In 1941 Peter and Pamela Barlow bought Rustenberg their sons now run the business
Wines tasted with Willem, marketing manager ( Importer in the UK is seckfords, available waitrose majestic)
Rustenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Grown at altitude 550m + Can smell from end of table, Pineapple tropical fruit lemons,Crisp fresh ++ aged in lees 3 months
Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2015,
Butter toast creamy citrus fermented in oak
Five soldiers Chardonnay 2014,Creamy textured long marzipan citrus nutty crisp +
Rustenberg Grenache 2015,Blueberries red currant cut bunches in half before harvest to concentrated
Rustenberg Merlot 2015,Plummy fruity soft tannins
RM Nicholson 2015 Shiraz blend slight perfume black cherries
John x Merriman 2014,Bordeaux blend,very good structure needs age a little tight Black fruits
Bouzard clouf Syrah,rubber spice pepper mixed herbs liquorice
Peter Barlow 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon,mint menthol cassis firm tannins Still a baby
This fabulous mornings tasting was followed by a delicious lunch at Jordans Estate
WanderCurtis Wine 