Keermont Terrasse 2024

Terrasse is our barrel fermented white blend which derives its name from the terraced vineyards leading up the mountains on the estate. We have six different white wine varieties planted on these terraces and every year we make up a unique blend depending on what the year gives us. The core component is Chenin blanc from our dryland bush vine Bobbejaan Wingerd (Baboon Vineyard), and the trellised Low Road vineyard. The other varieties add complexity to the aromas, flavour, and texture. Chardonnay gives a little more weight on the palate, Sauvignon blanc from our dryland vineyard ‘Uitkyk’ (planted in 1988) brings fresh acidity, and the drops of Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier give a slight spicy, aromatic lift.

Small batches of grapes are selected according to ripeness, harvested by hand and vinified separately. White wines are fermented by indigenous yeast in seasoned French oak barrels and then spend a further 12 months maturing on the lees. Bottling is carried out by hand with minimal fining or filtration.

TASTING NOTE

The Terrasse 2024 has a light green gold colour. The nose is inviting with notes of vanilla, nuts, citrus blossom, and rye. The palate is soft and effortless on entry, but soon opens up with lovely fresh acidity and an array of flavours: ripe apricot, peach and quince flavours complimented by richer more spicy savoury fruit. This follows into a lingering sweet-sour aftertaste with a light phenolic grip. A thin line of salty acidity and gentle leesy mouthfeel give the wine a lingering succulent finish. Drink 2026-2036.

VINTAGE REPORT

2024 will be remembered as a good vintage on Keermont, although yields were generally very low resulting in a small crop. We had a very cold and wet winter resulting in substantial flooding in the Cape. Fortunately, we didn’t sustain too much damage and the conditions were actually very beneficial to the vineyards.

The cool, wet weather led to slow budding. The young shoots are suspectable to attack over this period and damage can be caused by snails, Duiker (small buck), and baboons. Spring warmed up and the vines started to grow strongly. We had good rain showers during the early season to keep the vineyards going, although may have affected flowering leading to lighter bunches.

The middle of the season dried up and, from Christmas onwards, we experience several heatwaves. This dried the vineyards out quickly and led to some sunburn on exposed bunches. The light crop ripened quickly under the warm conditions and we started harvesting early (23 January). We quickly progressed through the different varieties and by the end of February, all of the grapes had been harvested except for the dried grapes for Fleurfontein.

Yields were down by about 30% on average, but despite fairly tough conditions in the late season, the vineyards looked healthy and balanced throughout the vintage. The grapes tasted amazing and had good analysis and I expect that we are going to have some beautifully intense wines.

BLOCKS

ANALYSIS

Alc: 14.0%
pH: 3.35
TA: 5.6g/L
RS: 2.4g/L
TSO2: 68mg/L
VA: 0.67g/L

ACCOLADES

TERRASSE 23: 5 stars PLATTER GUIDE
TERRASSE 23: 90 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS)
TERRASSE 23: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
TERRASSE 22: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE
TERRASSE 22: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
TERRASSE 22: 93 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS)
TERRASSE 21: 91 pts WINE SPECTATOR
TERRASSE 21: 5 stars PLATTER GUIDE
TERRASSE 21: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
TERRASSE 21: 91 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS)
TERRASSE 20: 90 pts WINE SPECTATOR
TERRASSE 20: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE
TERRASSE 20: 90 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS)
TERRASSE 19: 91 pts WINE SPECTATOR
TERRASSE 19: 94 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS)
TERRASSE 19: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
TERRASSE 19: 95 pts CHRISTIAN EEDES (Wine Magazine)
TERRASSE 19: 92 pts JAMES SUCKLING (MW)
TERRASSE 19: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE
TERRASSE 18: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
TERRASSE 18: 92 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS)
TERRASSE 18: 93 pts CHRISTIAN EEDES (Wine Magazine)
TERRASSE 18: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE
TERRASSE 17: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
TERRASSE 17: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE
TERRASSE 16: FIRST CLASS Japan Airlines
TERRASSE 16: 93pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
TERRASSE 16: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE
TERRASSE 16: 90 pts NEAL MARTIN
TERRASSE 15: 95 pts Cape White Blend Report – Wine Magazine 2017
TERRASSE 15: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
TERRASSE 15: 4 stars PLATTER GUIDE
TERRASSE 15: 92 pts WINE SPECTATOR
TERRASSE 15: 93 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate)
TERRASSE 14: FIRST CLASS British Airways
TERRASSE 14: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
TERRASSE 14: 90 pts WINE SPECTATOR 2016
TERRASSE 14: 4½ stars PLATTER GUIDE 2016
TERRASSE 14: 93 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate)
TERRASSE 13: FIRST CLASS British Airways
TERRASSE 13: 89 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate)
TERRASSE 13: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
TERRASSE 13: MATTHEW JUKES WoW in Money week: “scintillating “– 21 November 2014
TERRASSE 13: 4 stars PLATTER GUIDE