1999 Kanonkop Estate Pinotage Stellenbosch
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Tasting notes
The 1999 Pinotage, a year beset by uneven ripening, has a little more fruit than the 1989 tasted alongside. It's very pure with mulberry and hints of iodine and leans more toward Cinsault in style than Pinot Noir. The palate is medium-bodied and pastille-like, with a supple entry and Morello cherry mixed with strawberry. Maybe it is just a touch too saccharine on the finish? But it has a smooth and almost velvety texture, and it easily slips down the throat.
Critic scores
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 1999 Pinotage Stellenbosch hardly appears to have aged in the intervening period. It replicates its performance three years ago. The nose has a light menthol-tinged note that becomes accentuated with aeration, augmented by touches of five spice and marmalade. The palate is ripe and nicely controlled on the entry. Touches of espresso and cedar infuse the black fruit, with a slight touch of cocoa toward the well-balanced, Bordeaux-like finish. Fine.
Rich, refined nose with a lovely black fruit richness. No smoke or rubber at all – but the savoury flavours are very earthy and mossy. Very attractive – the reputation of this wine is well deserved. (RH)
Saturated bright ruby. Pungent, primary aromas of red and black berries, mint and spicy oak; distinct suggestion of raw berries. Juicy, dense and quite suave, with lovely inner-mouth berry perfume. Finishes long, with refined tannins. May not possess the sheer thrust of the knockout '98, but this is still evolving.