Canon Copt Paul Sauer

The Paul Sauer is the flagship of Kanonkop – a Bordeaux blend from the heart of the Simonsberg-Stellenbosch region, which has been one of South Africa's best red wines for decades.

The Kanonkop winery is located at the foot of the Simonsberg and has been managed by the Krige family since the 1930s. The soils of weathered granite and slate give the wine its mineral depth. The Paul Sauer classically combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot – the proportions vary depending on the vintage. It is aged for 18 to 25 months in new French barriques, which gives the wine its characteristic structure and spice.

In the glass, it shows dark blackberry, cassis, and dried plum, underlaid by cedar wood, graphite, and a hint of leather spice. The palate is dense and multi-layered: velvety tannin, a supporting acidity, and a long, warm-spicy finish. With aeration, it opens up significantly.

• Food: Lamb shank with rosemary, beef fillet, mature hard cheese
• Temperature: 17–18 °C, ideally decanted for 30 minutes