The Society's 150th Anniversary Stellenbosch Cabernet 2015 view 1

The Society's 150th Anniversary Stellenbosch Cabernet 2015 view 2

The Society's 150th Anniversary Stellenbosch Cabernet 2015 view 3

The Society's 150th Anniversary Stellenbosch Cabernet 2015

The Society's 150th Anniversary Stellenbosch Cabernet 2015

7 Reviews

This richly concentrated cabernet to celebrate our anniversary comes from Kanonkop’s own Simonsberg vineyards and a superb Cape vintage, hailed as one of the very best of the last 20 years. Estate fruit was vinified in open-top fermenters and the wine was matured in new and second-fill French oak barrels for two years. In this still vigorous dry red, plush, dark berry fruit is complemented by hints of spice, coffee and mocha, with sweet, integrated tannins, leading to a long and persistent finish. Expect its dense fruit and structure to continue to mellow slowly, developing more cigar-box and indigenous fynbos complexity to 2030 and beyond. On release, enjoy the wine after an hour or two in a decanter to remove any sediment and reveal its full panoply of flavours. For more on the story of this wine, please scroll down.

£35.00 Bottle

£210.00 Case of 6

In Stock

Code: SA16031

Wine characteristics

Red Wine
Full-bodied
Cabernet Sauvignon
75cl
Now to 2030
14.5% Alcohol
oak used but not v. noticeable
Cork, natural

More on the wine

Kanonkop is one of the great names in South African wine, as famous for its Bordeaux-style reds as for its pinotage, yet the first wines under the Kanonkop label were produced as recently as 1973. Kanonkop means ‘Cannon Hill’, named after the small hillock (kop) on the Simonsberg mountain above the estate, from where, in the 17th and 18th centuries, cannons were fired to signal the arrival of Dutch trade ships into Cape Town harbour, a practice still commemorated in the estate logo.

Kanonkop has been at the forefront of the initiative to raise the profile, and quality bar, of Stellenbosch cabernet sauvignon, and of its natural home on the Simonsberg, where the farm nestles in vine-clad foothills. This wine, made for us to celebrate our 150th Anniversary, illustrates how high the bar has risen.

Kanonkop

Kanonkop, in Stellenbosch, is a leading South African estate with a whole raft of awards to its name. Kanonkop means ‘Cannon Hill’ and originates from the days when cannons were fired to signal the arrival of Dutch trade ships into Cape Town harbour.

This estate is probably the most famous producer of pinotage internationally and was one of the first ever estates to even grow the grape. Incumbent winemaker, Abrie Beeslaar won the esteemed title of IWSC International Winemaker of the Year award in 2008, having taken over from legendary predecessor and so-called ‘king of pinotage’, Beyers Truter.

Kanonkop is renowned for its red varietals, and chooses to specialise in only a few wines. Apart from its famous pinotage, the other grapes grown here are cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc which go into its very approachable Cape Blend, and the best into its iconic cabernets and Paul Sauer bottlings. These tend to be big, robust wines which go superbly well with red meat and spicy dishes.

JancisRobinson.com

Earthy on the nose, with a touch of roasted meat and smoke, but in a subtle way. Mint notes, pepper and black fruit. Plenty of weight and ripeness but still retains freshness on the finish. Savoury.

Andy Howard MW

Wednesday 6th Mar 2024