Sitting with Johan Krige on his back porch of the Kanonkop winery in October 2022, sharing a glass of Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 from double magnum, discussing the upcoming schedule for Cape Wine 2022 was a leisurely affair, while all the time I was just gaging to ask him about the new Paul Sauer 2020 release. But one needs to always be restrained, patient and polite, especially in the presence of Stellenbosch wine royalty.

The release tasting of the Paul Sauer 2020 was finally held in London in early May 2023 in the exulted Sussex Cellars of Berry Brothers and Rudd, a fitting surroundings laced with empty old bottles of first growth claret from the 20’s, 40’s and 50’s, lining the shelves of the cellar. This was certainly the proper environment to celebrate their 50th anniversary and pour some incredibly rare old wines going back to the maiden 1973 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon.

But it was at this superb tasting that they also profiled the new Paul Sauer 2020 release. Tucked away, among the current releases, this iconic new wine was tasted with the trade for the first time and boy did it make an impression. Always highly anticipated and much discussed, this new release always features as one of the most notable of the year, and in 2023, we got to celebrate it’s release with the 50th anniversary of the estate.

Kanonkop Paul Sauer Red Blend 2020, WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, 13% Abv.

3.2g/l RS | 6.3g/l TA | 3.48pH

Launched in the 50th anniversary of the estate, it was an absolute pleasure to first taste the new release 2020 Paul Sauer in London with both winemaker Abrie Beeslaar and uber critical owner, Johan Krige. Together, these are two individuals who both have very high expectations for every new Paul Sauer release, but not only that, they are both people who will find a way for the new wine to express the new vintage blend in the most succinct and honest way. In 2020, the Paul Sauer is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc and 14% Merlot from Simonsberg vines grown on decomposed granite at an average of 30+ years old. The aromatics are delicate yet sophisticated, whispering a rich complexity of saline cassis, sweet violets, dried sage, crunchy black berry, iodine and salty oyster shell nuances with a hint of melted candles and incense complexity. Fabulously pure, focused, weightless and intense, there is a notable ambition and intent on the palate, that bristles with a maritime salinity, deep layers of crème de cassis, blue berry, cedar spice and a tart red berry extravagance. This is simply like no other 2020 I have tasted from Stellenbosch. The wine possesses its own class, elegance and swagger, but with an incredible refinement and precision. You would expect nothing less from one of South Africa’s first growth producers!

(Wine Safari Score: 97/100 Greg Sherwood MW)