• Pondokrug - a ridge (rug) deriving its name from a shepherds hut (Pondok). High up on the West facing slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain, this is a 1.8Ha parcel of Cabernet Franc planted in 2006. At an elevation of 380m above sea level and surrounded by mountain 'fynbos', this block is exposed to many natural elements resulting in very low yields. The soil on Pondokrug is red granitic loam with a high clay content which sustains the vines during the summer months. These factors allow us to produce an intense wine with unique flavours and a solid tannin structure. All grapes used in producing our wines are grown on Keermont Vineyards. Small parcels of grapes are specifically selected according to ripeness, harvested by hand and vinified separately. Fermentation is carried out by yeast which occurs naturally on the grape skins and in the winery. Red wines spend three to four weeks fermenting and macerating on the skins in small open top tanks with one or two gentle ‘punch-downs’ performed per day. This wine spent 26 months maturing in seasoned 225 litre French oak barrels before being bottled by hand without filtration. 2229 bottles and 60 Magnums were produced.

    TASTING NOTE

    The Pondokrug Cabernet Franc 2017 is bright red in colour. The nose is a deep, complex and intriguing mix of bright raspberry fruit, cloves, and some typical herbal pyrazine characters. The palate has a gentle entry, but is firm and structured with ripe cherry and blackcurrant flavours with hints of bell pepper. The tight, grainy tannins hold the fruit flavours into a long, succulent and fresh finish. Drink 2022-2035.

    VINTAGE REPORT

    2017 was an excellent growing season on Keermont. Despite a drier than usual Winter, we had strong growth in the vineyards during the Spring time. This led to the formation of a good healthy crop which ripened evenly during the warm, dry Summer. Harvest started fairly early, but was put on hold after a heavy rainfall in late January. This rejuvenated the vines and allowed for extended ripening which definitely raised the general quality of the fruit. We recorded one of our largest and healthiest crops yet and grapes came in with great analysis and concentration. Pondokrug yield 2017: 6.2 ton/Ha

    ANALYSIS

    Alc: 15.0 % pH: 3.42 TA: 6.4 g/L RS: 1.6 g/L TSO2: 36 mg/L VA: 1.0 g/L

    ACCOLADES

    PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 17: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 17: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 17: 90 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS) PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 17: 90 pts WINE SPECTATOR PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 16: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 16: 91 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS) PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 16: 94 pts WINE MAGAZINE PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 16: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 15: 96 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 15: 4 ½ star PLATTER GUIDE PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 15: 90 pts NEAL MARTIN PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 14: 92 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 14: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 14: 4 stars PLATTER GUIDE
  • Out of stock
    Planted in 1971, Riverside Chenin Blanc is the oldest vineyard on the farm. Soils on the banks of the upper Blaauwklippen River, in which the vines are planted, vary from sandy alluvial plains with river stone to red clay loam as one moves away from the river. This patchy old vineyard, at an elevation of 250m, delivers very low yields of incredible quality fruit year in and year out. Like the old vines from which it is made, this wine has great complexity and character with quiet intensity. All grapes used in producing this wine are sourced from the Riverside vineyard on Keermont. Small parcels of grapes are selected according to optimal ripeness and harvested by hand. Fermentation is carried out by yeast which occurs naturally on the grape skins. This wine was fermented and then spent a further 11 months maturing on the lees in seasoned French oak barrels (225L and 500L). Bottling was carried out by hand and only 2929 bottles and 53 magnums were produced.

    TASTING NOTE

    Riverside Chenin Blanc 2019 has a light, gold colour with a green hue. It has a bouquet of citrus blossom and apricot, with hints of cut grass, oyster shell and vanilla. The entry on the palate is soft and light at first, but then opens up with pure fruit flavours of ripe peach and apple and a touch of marzipan and vanilla. Lovely zippy acidity allows for a long, clean, textured finish with a lingering aftertaste of rich fruit and butterscotch. Drink 2022-2032.

    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 of strain. Winter rainfall was just slightly below average. 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 warm 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 and grapes were harvested in a very healthy condition.

    ANALYSIS

    Alc: 13.0 % pH: 3.45 TA: 5.1 g/L RS: 2.1 g/L TSO2: 70 mg/L VA: 0.80 g/L

    ACCOLADES

    RIVERSIDE CHEN 19: 95 pts DECANTER RIVERSIDE CHEN 19: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE RIVERSIDE CHEN 19: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) RIVERSIDE CHEN 19: 92 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS) RIVERSIDE CHEN 19: 91 pts WINE SPECTATOR RIVERSIDE CHEN 18: 95 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) RIVERSIDE CHEN 18: 91 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS) RIVERSIDE CHEN 18: 96 pts DECANTER RIVERSIDE CHEN 18: 96 pts WINE MAGAZINE RIVERSIDE CHEN 18: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE RIVERSIDE CHEN 17: 95pts TIM ATKIN (MW) RIVERSIDE CHEN 17: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE RIVERSIDE CHEN 17: 91 pts NEAL MARTIN RIVERSIDE CHEN 15: 93 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) RIVERSIDE CHEN 15: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) RIVERSIDE CHEN 14:  5 stars PLATTER GUIDE 2016 RIVERSIDE CHEN 14: 92 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) RIVERSIDE CHEN 14: 17 pts JANCIS ROBINSON RIVERSIDE CHEN 13: 89 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) RIVERSIDE CHEN 13:  4½ stars PLATTER GUIDE
  • Planted in 2005 on the steep midslopes of the Helderberg Mountain range, Steepside Syrah sits at an elevation of 300m. Vines grow in rich red clay loam soils with high levels of iron and quartzite originating from the peaks above. The combination of these deep granitic soils and the intensity of the sunshine on the North facing ridge allows the vineyard to produce wines with power and structure, while the spicy herbal aromatics can be attributed to the elevation and the pristine fynbos flora that surround it. All grapes used in producing this wine are from the Steepside vineyard. Small parcels of grapes are specifically selected according to ripeness, harvested by hand and vinified separately. Fermentation is carried out by yeast which occurs naturally on the grape skins. Red wines spend three to four weeks fermenting and macerating on the skins in small open top tanks with one or two gentle ‘punch-downs’ performed per day. This wine spent 20 months maturing in seasoned 225L and 500L French oak barrels before being bottled by hand without filtration. Only 2828 bottles and 53 Magnums were produced.

    TASTING NOTE

    The Steepside Syrah 2017 has a light ruby red colour. It has a bouquet of bright red fruit with distinctive sappy, earthy notes, and a hint of vanilla. The palate has a gentle, weightless entry, but soon fills in with spicy, savoury fruit, and coarse, but elegant tannins. There is a lovely tension on the finish with lingering pepper, sandalwood, and earthy plum flavours. Drink 2022-2035.

    VINTAGE REPORT

    2017 was an excellent growing season on Keermont. Despite a drier than usual Winter, we had strong growth in the vineyards during the Spring time. This led to the formation of a good healthy crop which ripened evenly during the warm, dry Summer. Harvest started fairly early, but was put on hold after a heavy rainfall in late January. This rejuvenated the vines and allowed for extended ripening which definitely raised the general quality. We recorded one of our largest and healthiest crops yet and grapes came in with great analysis and concentration. Steepside yield 2017: 4.2 ton/Ha

    ANALYSIS

    Alc: 14.0 % pH: 3.66 TA: 4.8 g/L RS: 1.5 g/L TSO2: 61 mg/L VA: 0.72 g/L

    ACCOLADES

    STEEPSIDE SYRAH 17: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE STEEPSIDE SYRAH 17: 96 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) STEEPSIDE SYRAH 17: 92 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS) STEEPSIDE SYRAH 17: 92 pts WINE SPECTATOR STEEPSIDE SYRAH 16: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) STEEPSIDE SYRAH 16: 94 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS) STEEPSIDE SYRAH 16: 96 pts DECANTER STEEPSIDE SYRAH 16: 92 pts WINE MAGAZINE STEEPSIDE SYRAH 16: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE STEEPSIDE SYRAH 15: 95 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) STEEPSIDE SYRAH 15: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE STEEPSIDE SYRAH 15: 92 pts NEAL MARTIN STEEPSIDE SYRAH 14: 94 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) STEEPSIDE SYRAH 14: 96 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) STEEPSIDE SYRAH 14: 4½ stars PLATTER GUIDE STEEPSIDE SYRAH 12: 96 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) STEEPSIDE SYRAH 12: TIM ATKIN (MW) – Super Syrah: 70 top New World buys for Rhone Lovers, Decanter Magazine, Sep 2015 STEEPSIDE SYRAH 12: 92 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) STEEPSIDE SYRAH 12: 4½ stars PLATTER GUIDE
  • The Topside Syrah vineyard is situated high up on the West facing mid-slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain range (Elevation 350m). It was planted in 2006 on rocky soils consisting of sandstone and granite, weathered from the peaks above. Vines are trellised and run with the contour in a North South direction. The elevation, soil and aspect all contribute to spicy character and fine tannin structure of this wine. The views from the top of this vineyard west to Table Mountain are simply breath taking. All grapes used in producing this wine come from the Topside Syrah vineyard. Small sections of the vineyard are specifically selected according to ripeness, harvested by hand and vinified separately. Fermentation is carried out by yeast which occurs naturally on the grape skins. Our red wines spend three to four weeks fermenting and macerating on the skins in small open top tanks with one or two gentle ‘punch-downs’ performed per day. This wine spent 20 months maturing in seasoned 500 litre French oak barrels before being bottled by hand without filtration. Only 2813 bottles and 62 Magnums were produced.

    TASTING NOTE

    Topside Syrah 2017 is bright royal red in colour. It has a bouquet of dark spicy fruit with cloves, violets, and white pepper. The palate starts soft and weightless, but opens up with ripe sweet cherry fruit, herbs and dry angular tannins. There is a lovely sweet-sour balance which maintains the tension in the finish. Drink 2022-2035.

    VINTAGE REPORT

    2017 was an excellent growing season on Keermont. Despite a drier than usual Winter, we had strong growth in the vineyards during the Spring time. This led to the formation of a good healthy crop which ripened evenly during the warm, dry Summer. Harvest started fairly early, but was put on hold after a heavy rainfall in late January. This rejuvenated the vines and allowed for extended ripening which definitely raised the general quality. We recorded one of our largest and healthiest crops yet and grapes came in with great analysis and concentration. Topside yield was 5.4 tons/Ha

    ANALYSIS

    Alc: 14.5 % pH: 3.67 TA: 4.8 g/L RS: 1.6 g/L TSO2: 65 mg/L VA: 0.72 g/L

    ACCOLADES

    TOPSIDE SYRAH 17: 5 stars PLATTER GUIDE TOPSIDE SYRAH 17: 96 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) TOPSIDE SYRAH 17: 94 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS) TOPSIDE SYRAH 17: 90 pts WINE SPECTATOR TOPSIDE SYRAH 16: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) TOPSIDE SYRAH 16: 96 pts NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS) TOPSIDE SYRAH 16: 95 pts DECANTER TOPSIDE SYRAH 16: 93 pts WINE MAGAZINE TOPSIDE SYRAH 16: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE TOPSIDE SYRAH 15: 96 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) TOPSIDE SYRAH 15: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE TOPSIDE SYRAH 15: 94 pts NEAL MARTIN TOPSIDE SYRAH 14: 93 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) TOPSIDE SYRAH 14: 95 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) TOPSIDE SYRAH 14: 5 stars PLATTER GUIDE 2017 TOPSIDE SYRAH 12: 95 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) TOPSIDE SYRAH 12: 94 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) TOPSIDE SYRAH 12: 4½ stars PLATTER GUIDE