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On Tuesday 10th May 2022, Frontier Fine Wines was privileged enough to attend Kanonkop’s landmark vertical tasting of their renowned Black Label Pinotage in London at 67 Pall Mall.

This is the first time that these wines have ever been tasted together, and provided those attending the unique opportunity to appreciate the evolution of this world-class Pinotage as it ages.

Starting with the 2006, the first vintage ever produced, the tasting progressed through to the latest vintage, the 2019.  It is only as they age do you see the real characteristics of this Pinotage and the sense of place and identity from grapes grown on some of the oldest soils in the world in Stellenbosch.

The fourth generation owners of the estate, brothers Paul and Johann Krige, began with an introduction to the estate before handing over to winemaker Abrie Beeslaar, who gave an insight into this variety and his winemaking techniques. Beeslaar joined Kanonkop in 2002 and has overseen the production of all ten vintages of the Black Label Pinotage.

Abrie Beeslaar: ‘I am given total winemaking freedom… as Kanonkop’s Black Label Pinotage is a wine created from the soils up and not in the boardroom. I am a firm believer that the soils, the climate and the topography will have the ultimate say in how the wine from a specific vintage will taste.’

The grapes for Black Label originate solely from one block of old vines on the Kanonkop Estate which were planted in 1953.  Once in the winery the wine is matured in new French oak barrels from 18-24 months, this extended maturation giving the wines their finesse, structure and concentrated flavours.  Only 7,000 bottles of this wine is produced each year and is consistently seen at the top of the lists compiled by critics, judges, collectors and buyers.

Kanonkop’s full range of wines is available to purchase on our website at https://frontierfinewines.co.uk/product-category/south-africa/?filter_producer=kanonkop