Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon grows in our Cottage Lane Vineyard on the Helderberg side of the farm. This vineyard is situated on the crest of a ridge (320m above sea level) so has aspects ranging from East through North to West. It is very exposed resulting in small berries with low yields. This has allowed us to make a relatively fine grained Cabernet, but the clay soils translate to a wine with power, tension and fresh acidity. We blend in a couple of barrels of other varieties to add to the complexity of flavour and tannin structure.

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 21 months maturing in seasoned French oak barriques before being bottled by hand on 10 December 2021. 8853 bottles and 101 magnums were produced. The Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 was bottle aged in our cellar for 16 months before release to ensure integration and improved drinkability.

 

TASTING NOTE

Dark ruby red in colour, this vintage has a vibrant bouquet of ripe red berry fruit, cassis, vanilla pudding, and a hint of dried herbs. The pallet is soft and rich. The tannins are round and gentle, while the natural acidity keeps the ripe fruit in check. Savoury notes of cocoa and cloves add character to the bright red strawberry and mulberry flavours which linger into a long, luscious, juicy finish. Drink 2023 – 2035.

 

VINTAGE REPORT

Winter temperatures at the start of the 2020 vintage were moderate with below average rainfall. Fortunately, we had a wet Spring which prompted the vines to grow strongly and develop a decent size crop. Early season was marked by fairly erratic temperatures with several heat spikes. These factors made farming quite tough with increased pressure from disease and insects and the vineyard team worked hard to prepare a good-looking crop.
Mid-Summer temperatures were moderate although we did experience a short heat wave in January. This was followed by a gale-force South-East wind which hammered the vineyards. This resulted in the grapes ripening quickly and, although we started picking at a normal time, by 10 March we had picked all the grapes for our wines.

BLOCKS

BLOCK
VARIETY
PLANTED
YIELD
%
Cottage Lane
Cabernet Sauvignon
2006
 4.5 ton/Ha
92%
Pondok Rug 3
Cabernet Franc
2007
3.6 ton/Ha
8%

 

ANALYSIS

Alc: 15.0 %
pH: 3.73
TA: 5.3g/L
RS: 2.2 g/L
TSO2: 79 mg/L
VA: 0.98 g/L

 

ACCOLADES

CAB 20: 91 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
CAB 19: 91 pts WINE SPECTATOR
CAB 19: 4 ½ stars PLATTER’S GUIDE
CAB 19: 92 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous)
CAB 18: 90 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous)
CAB 18: 92 pts CHRISTIAN EEDES (Wine Magazine)
CAB 18: 91 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
CAB 18: 4 ½ stars PLATTER’S GUIDE
CAB 17: 90 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous)
CAB 17: 91 pts CHRISTIAN EEDES (Wine Magazine)
CAB 17: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
CAB 16: 4 ½ stars PLATTER’S GUIDE
CAB 16: 95 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous)
CAB 16: 92 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
CAB 15: 93 pts WINE ENTHUSIAST
CAB 15: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
CAB 15: 4 stars PLATTER GUIDE
CAB 15: 91 pts NEAL MARTIN
CAB 14: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW)
CAB 14: 91 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate)