2016 PAUL SAUER, Kanonkop. Simonsberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Neal Martin: “The 2016 Paul Sauer is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc matured for 24 months in 100% new oak. It has a supremely well defined bouquet of pure blackberry, boysenberry and violet aromas, the oak seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, perfectly pitched acidity and a caressing texture. This was actually tasted after a fantastic 1994 Paul Sauer was opened the previous night; who is to say that it will not age as well over the next quarter-century? Not only is this a superb wine, but it surely represents one of the best quality-to-price ratios in the world. 96 points”

And from the Kanonkop website:

“First made from the 1981 vintage, Paul Sauer is traditionally a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes grown on the Kanonkop property on the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch, South Africa’s premier wine region. The wine is named after the legendary former owner of Kanonkop who was a statesmen and wine-lover as well as being the grand-father of Kanonkop’s current proprietors Johann and Paul Krige.”