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Kanonkop: flagship grape and other blends
This is an estate at the foot of Simonsberg in Stellenbosch. They produce both single-varietal Pinotage wines and the Paul Sauer cuvée centered on Cabernet Sauvignon. Even producers known for Pinotage do not use it in all of their wines.
Compare Black Label and Paul Sauer by grape varieties and duration of barrel aging.
Questions for this course
Does Paul Sauer contain Pinotage?
Before you start reading, briefly jot down your thoughts. You will rephrase them at the end.
To applied practice using the material ↓
To explanation task notes ↓Kanonkop / Learning from Producers
South Africa / Western Cape / Stellenbosch
Alternate names & notations: Kanonkop
Updated: 2026-10-06
Black Label base material
Black Label is made from 100% Pinotage from a specific plot planted in 1953. The block is dry-farmed and maintained as bush vines. The year of planting is an attribute of the base material and is separate from the vintage date on the bottle.
The three varieties in Paul Sauer
Paul Sauer is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Pinotage is not among the official grape varieties. This is an example of separating the producer’s main varieties from individual wine blends.
Even if new barrels are used in common, the aging period differs.
In the general explanation, Black Label spends 18 months in new French oak and Paul Sauer spends 24 months. Even though both use new barrels, the varieties and length of aging are different. Do not group styles together based only on whether new barrels are used.
What to align and what to compare.
Grapes
- Conditions to standardize
- The same producer.
- Conditions for comparison.
- Pinotage and a blend of three varieties
- Additional points to confirm
- Grape sources by wine label
Vine age
- Conditions to standardize
- Black Label plot
- Conditions for comparison.
- Planting in 1953 and vintage year
- Additional points to confirm
- Reference year for vine age
Barrel
- Conditions to standardize
- New French oak barrels
- Conditions for comparison.
- 18 months and 24 months
- Additional points to confirm
- Preserve differences between grape varieties
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Kanonkop document analysis: flagship grape and other blends
Check and compare the region, raw materials, and process from the materials, and explain what can be learned from the comparison.
Comparative tables are based on the source’s target year and the explanation at the time of verification. Descriptions without year specifications are not treated as specifications common to all harvest years or shipped portions.
| Comparison items | Black Label | Paul Sauer |
|---|---|---|
| Grapes | 100% Pinotage | CS, Merlot, CF |
| Description of the raw material | Specific parcels planted in 1953 | Blend of three varieties |
| General description of barrels | New French oak barrels, 18 months | New French oak barrels, 24 months |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What varieties are listed for Paul Sauer?
Paul Sauer is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Pinotage is not among the official grape varieties. This is an example of separating the producer’s main varieties from individual wine blends.
What about 1953?
Black Label is made from 100% Pinotage from a specific plot planted in 1953. The block is dry-farmed and maintained as bush vines. The year of planting is an attribute of the base material and is separate from the vintage date on the bottle.
What is different about the general description of barrels?
In the general explanation, Black Label spends 18 months in new French oak and Paul Sauer spends 24 months. Even though both use new barrels, the varieties and length of aging are different. Do not group styles together based only on whether new barrels are used.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Check and compare the region, raw materials, and process from the materials, and explain what can be learned from the comparison.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Black Label | Paul Sauer |
|---|---|---|
| Grapes | 100% Pinotage | CS, Merlot, CF |
| Description of the raw material | Specific parcels planted in 1953 | Blend of three varieties |
| General description of barrels | New French oak barrels, 18 months | New French oak barrels, 24 months |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Using the grape varieties and barrel maturation periods for the two labels, explain why Kanonkop cannot be described solely as a producer of Pinotage.
Check after writing
- The signature variety is not used for every label.
- Distinguish planting from harvest.
- Read the ratio of new barrels and aging period as separate criteria.
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