My first pick of 2020, and I think this is going to be a great year. I will recap 2019 and look into this year in a future article. For now, I go to a place in the world my wife and I are quite fond of, South Africa. It is a beautiful country and they can make some amazing wines. Known for Pinotage, they make many wines quite well including Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. It is their red blends that have caught my attention over the past couple of years, and it is a red blend that has landed the top spot for the beginning of 2020.
2017 Kanonkop “Kadette” Cape Blend (Stellenbosch, South Africa)… $14.
Aromas of coffee bean, bark, currants and a pinch of violets. Dark currant notes penetrate the palate, balanced by nicely integrated acidity. There is an underbelly of coffee bean notes and hits of bark. The tannins are sturdy but approachable. It finishes clean with somewhat of a meaty texture in the mouth with a hit of black raspberry and a little hint of veggie that sneaks in on the long finish. Nice complexity and good balance, this is a solid wine for the money. It also landed at #18 in my top forty wines under twenty bucks list. Check it out. (B+/A-)
