Keermont Amphitheatre 2019

Cabernet Franc 40% · Syrah 37% · Merlot 11% · Cabernet Sauvignon 10% ·
Petit Verdot 2%

Keermont Vineyards is a specialist wine estate set in the naturally-formed amphitheatre between the Helderberg and Stellenbosch Mountain ranges. Selecting the best fruit from several vineyard sites on the farm, we create a blend each year which is distinctive, unique, and portrays the character of our superb terroir. This blend is Keermont Amphitheatre.

All grapes used in producing our wines are grown on Keermont Vineyards. The vineyards grow on deep red clay rich soil derived from sandstone and granite and are surrounded by indigenous mountain ‘fynbos’ vegetation. Vineyard aspects vary from Northeast through North to West facing and they lie between 250 and 400 meters above sea level. This variety of slopes gives us complexity in our vineyards resulting in complexity in our wines.

Small batches of grapes are specifically selected according to ripeness, harvested by hand and vinified separately. This process is carried out gently and naturally in open top fermenters using traditional methods only.

This wine spent 27 months maturing in seasoned French oak barriques (first, second, third fill) before being bottled by hand without filtration on 28 June 2021. 2730 bottles and 49 magnums were produced. The Keermont Amphitheatre 2019 lay in bottle in our cellar for 5 years before release to ensure integration and maturity.

TASTING NOTE

Bright ruby red in the glass, the Keermont Amphitheatre 2019 opens with lovely dusty, spicy red fruit on the nose: hints of blueberries and wild herbs. The palate is elegant and layered. Vibrant red fruit flavours of strawberries and dark cherries with hints of herbs, cured meat and sandal wood. Layers of flavour and chewy tannin linger into a long, balanced dry finish. Drink 2026-2037.

VINTAGE REPORT

The 2019 vintage was quite a challenging one at Keermont. The yields were very small, but the wines have turned out beautifully. Coming off the back of four very dry years in the Cape, the vines were taking a bit strain. Winter rainfall was just slightly below average. Winter temperatures were moderate and perhaps not cold enough for the vines to break dormancy properly as we experienced quite uneven budding in spring. Spring started off cool and wet so the disease pressure was quite high. From that point onwards, the vintage conditions were good with some summer rains and warn temperatures without any major heat spikes. Harvest started on 30 January, but was interrupted by 40mm of rain the following week. This pepped the vines up for the final ripening of the grapes. Grapes were harvested in a very healthy condition although sugar levels were generally low and acidity was difficult to gauge.

BLOCKS

ANALYSIS

Alc: 14.5%
pH: 3.57
TA: 5.5 g/L
RS: 2.2 g/L
TSO2: 58 mg/L
VA: 0.90 g/L

ACCOLADES

AMPHITHEATRE 18: 91 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS)
AMPHITHEATRE 18: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE
AMPHITHEATRE 18: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
AMPHITHEATRE 17: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE
AMPHITHEATRE 17: 91 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
AMPHITHEATRE 17: 91 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS)
AMPHITHEATRE 16: 91 WINE SPECTATOR
AMPHITHEATRE 16: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE
AMPHITHEATRE 16: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
AMPHITHEATRE 16: 94 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS)
AMPHITHEATRE 15: 95 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS)
AMPHITHEATRE 15: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
AMPHITHEATRE 15: 90 pts CHRISTIAN EEDES (Wine Magazine)
AMPHITHEATRE 15: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE