Description
The Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2023 is the latest release of one of South Africa’s most iconic Bordeaux-style blends, and a particularly classical expression of this legendary Stellenbosch wine. Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone, joined by a substantial portion of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, creating a wine with impressive depth, freshness, and precision. Kanonkop considers the vintage reminiscent of some of its great classical releases, while Master of Wine Greg Sherwood describes it as exceptionally elegant and polished.
The nose is initially restrained and sophisticated, gradually revealing layers of blackcurrant, black cherry, dark berries, and violets, with subtle fynbos, cedar, and savory nuances emerging as the wine opens. The palate is focused and beautifully structured, with concentrated dark fruit carried by silky, finely textured tannins and a vibrant line of acidity. There is remarkable intensity without excessive weight, giving the wine an elegant, almost effortless quality through its long, precise finish.
The 2023 vintage was not without its challenges. A warm, dry winter was followed by unusually humid conditions during the growing season, with welcome December rainfall arriving around veraison. Further rain arrived during harvest in March, making vineyard selection and picking decisions particularly important. Despite these conditions, the vintage produced fruit with excellent freshness and structure, resulting in a Paul Sauer defined by balance, vibrancy, and longevity.
This is a serious cellar wine, but one that can be enjoyed young with sufficient decanting. Pair with prime rib, beef tenderloin, roast lamb, venison, braised short ribs, or mature hard cheeses.
The nose is initially restrained and sophisticated, gradually revealing layers of blackcurrant, black cherry, dark berries, and violets, with subtle fynbos, cedar, and savory nuances emerging as the wine opens. The palate is focused and beautifully structured, with concentrated dark fruit carried by silky, finely textured tannins and a vibrant line of acidity. There is remarkable intensity without excessive weight, giving the wine an elegant, almost effortless quality through its long, precise finish.
The 2023 vintage was not without its challenges. A warm, dry winter was followed by unusually humid conditions during the growing season, with welcome December rainfall arriving around veraison. Further rain arrived during harvest in March, making vineyard selection and picking decisions particularly important. Despite these conditions, the vintage produced fruit with excellent freshness and structure, resulting in a Paul Sauer defined by balance, vibrancy, and longevity.
This is a serious cellar wine, but one that can be enjoyed young with sufficient decanting. Pair with prime rib, beef tenderloin, roast lamb, venison, braised short ribs, or mature hard cheeses.
Following harvest, the grapes underwent Kanonkop's traditional fermentation process in open-top concrete fermenters, where careful extraction builds the structure and concentration for which Paul Sauer is known.
After five days of fermentation, the final blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot was assembled. The wine was then matured for 24 months in new 225-liter French oak barrels, allowing the individual components to integrate while developing additional depth, structure, and complexity.
After barrel maturation, the wine was bottled and given a further year of bottle aging before its July 2026 release. This extended élevage is central to the polished texture and extraordinary longevity associated with Paul Sauer.
Winemaker: Abrie Beeslaar
After five days of fermentation, the final blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot was assembled. The wine was then matured for 24 months in new 225-liter French oak barrels, allowing the individual components to integrate while developing additional depth, structure, and complexity.
After barrel maturation, the wine was bottled and given a further year of bottle aging before its July 2026 release. This extended élevage is central to the polished texture and extraordinary longevity associated with Paul Sauer.
Winemaker: Abrie Beeslaar
Kanonkop is one of South Africa's benchmark fine wine estates, situated on the lower slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain in Stellenbosch. Family-owned for generations, the estate is renowned for traditional winemaking and exceptionally age-worthy Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bordeaux-style blends.
First produced in 1981, Paul Sauer is named after the Kanonkop family patriarch and represents the pinnacle of the estate's Bordeaux-variety winemaking. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot are brought together and matured extensively in new French oak to create a wine renowned for its depth, structure, complexity, and ability to evolve for decades.
First produced in 1981, Paul Sauer is named after the Kanonkop family patriarch and represents the pinnacle of the estate's Bordeaux-variety winemaking. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot are brought together and matured extensively in new French oak to create a wine renowned for its depth, structure, complexity, and ability to evolve for decades.
