2017 Kanonkop, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch, South Africa

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon has a glorious, feisty bouquet of blackberry, wild strawberry and cassis aromas that burst from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a silky-smooth texture and a cohesive, poised finish that is irresistible. Simply a top-class Cabernet Sauvignon. 2021 - 2036Neil Martin, Vinous.com.com

The quality of the Paul Sauer alerted us to the fact that this was a special vintage for Cabernet Sauvignon on the farm and this wine supplies further proof. Sourced from six parcels, it has elegant 50% new wood, violet, liquorice and fynbos aromas, svelte tannins, graphite and blackcurrant leaf flavours and a volatile lift. 2024-32 timatkin_com

This certainly is a deep, broody exotic expression of Cabernet Sauvignon that is more reminiscent of a cool vintage Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon than anything from Bordeaux or the Cape. Opened and tasted over 4 to 5 hours, the wine hits its stride surprisingly quickly with plenty of perfumed purple flowers, violets, bruleed black berries, baked blueberry crumble, crème de cassis and a pleasing note of mocha and vanilla pod spice. Initial notes of kelp and maritime seashore salinity quickly give way to a more weighty, sensual melange of black berry compote nuances and hints of cherry kirsch liquor. While this wine certainly shows all the deft elegance and finesse we associate with the 2017 vintage, it also displays a certain extra gravitas, power and weight of fruit concentration combined with great poise, density and a seamlessly textured mineral graphite finish. This is a dark horse that will drink well on release and age deceptively well for 20+ years. Greg Sherwood MW