In 2023, Kanonkop (owned by the fourth generation of the founding family, brothers Johann and Paul Kriege) celebrated 50 years of wine; the inaugural release being the 1973 vintage of this Cabernet Sauvignon. Joining in 2002, Abrie Beeslaar soon became only the third winemaker in the farm’s history, replacing Beyers Truter (1981-2003) who followed Kanonkop’s first official winemaker Jan Boland Coetzee (1968-1981). Of the estate’s 95ha of mainly dry-farmed vines, 35% are Cabernet Sauvignon, averaging 30 years, from Simonsberg in Stellenbosch, used for this varietal cuvée as well as Kanonkop’s flagship Paul Sauer Bordeaux blend. This 2019 was fermented in open-top concrete vessels then aged for 24 months in French oak barrels, 50% new and 50% second fill.
Tina Gellie: Gorgeously seductive with its satin mouthfeel, silky tannins and flavours of smoked meat, saddle leather, green olives, plum skin sappiness and black fruit richness. Like diving into a cool, deep, dark pool. Beautiful freshness, length and composure – pitch perfect for drinking now but will age very well. What a belter.
Anne Krebiehl MW: Smoke and earth, tobacco, the palate is dense but super-elegant, unravels like silk. Fine tannin, savoury umami edges, yet such salty, gorgeously ripe fruit. Altogether brilliant, with a lovely, serene balance – the ideal of proportions.
Michaela Morris: Aromas are open, a bit flinty, but the palate is where it’s all happening: starts seductive but finishes serious, in the best possible way. Still needs time. The nice, savoury herbal character promises much. 97 points

Spell-binding aromas of pencil shavings, flint, dried riverbed, cassis and a lift of mint. This seems so Old World in nature, extolling cedar, dusty bookshop and spice. Black fruits peel away on the palate: cherries, plums and blackcurrants, all neatly cosseted in wood spice and granular tannins from 24 months in oak, 50% new, the rest second fill. The tautness of the fruit core and refreshing line of acidity makes the palate seem bone dry, though it isn’t quite, the flavours lingering through refreshing finish of lavender and wild rosemary. 96 points

Starting with tart red fruits and a dusty mineral essence, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon offers notes of black cherry and spiced plum. Medium-bodied and with a ripe, fresh fruit condition, the palate expresses fine-grained tannins with a dusty mineral tension. It ends with a long, spicy finish with persistent pencil lead essences. It`s a well-made, sturdy wine that produced 72,000 bottles from wine that rested in 50% new French oak barrels for two years. 93 points