Stellenbosch

The background that matters

The climate is Mediterranean with winter rainfall, and varies markedly within the area, which is bordered by mountains, lies close to the ocean and is cut by the Eerste River valley. In a modelling study of February 2000, during ripening, one sea breeze developed from Table Bay late in the morning and another from False Bay later in the afternoon.

Read it alongside this wine

This wine is listed under the name Stellenbosch, not under a single vineyard, so read its review as one example from the area rather than a portrait of it. Its published profile records a dry red of deep purple colour with medium(+) acidity and tannin, high alcohol and medium(+) body, and red fruit, black fruit, spice and oak among its aroma groups. It is marked as youthful: drinkable now, with potential to develop.

Try it with the review

Find the high alcohol and the medium(+) tannin in the review, then see how the acidity is described alongside them. Write one sentence on the balance using only those recorded levels, without using ‘Stellenbosch’ or ‘Pinotage’ as the explanation.

These are learning prompts, not guaranteed tasting results. Separate the published facts from your own observations.

Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage, Stellenbosch 2024