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 base is Chenin blanc from three distinctive vineyards – our old vine Riverside block planted in 1971, the dryland bush vine Bobbejaan Wingerd (Baboon Vineyard), and the trellised Low Road vineyard. The other varieties add complexity and create a more complete wine. 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 this vintage a slight spicy, aromatic lift.

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

 

TASTING NOTE

The Terrasse 2022 has an inviting aroma with notes of spring flowers, ripe apricots and citrus, and a hint of fennel. The palate is soft and luscious, 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 aftertaste with salty acidity. Drink 2023-2035.

 

VINTAGE REPORT

2022 will go down as a very successful and plentiful vintage at Keermont. On paper it was a vintage of two halves. The first half of the season was very cool and wet. We recorded the wettest winter since starting to farm Keermont Vineyards in 2005! By Christmas time we could see that we had a lovely looking crop of grapes ripening on the healthy green vines. After Christmas the weather changed completely and we had a hot and dry run into harvest. The grapes, which we thought were going to be harvested late, ripened quickly under the healthy conditions. Harvest started on 1 February which is fairly normal for us. It quickly picked up tempo and before long we were going flat out picking grapes and processing in the cellar. We pressed our biggest vintage ever in the Keermont Winery: just over 90 tonnes of healthy, estate grown fruit!

BLOCKS

BLOCK
VARIETY
PLANTED
YIELD
%
Low Road
Chenin Blanc
2007
10.2 ton/Ha
34%
Bobbejaan
Chenin Blanc
2009
2.9 ton/Ha
12%
Uitkyk
Sauv Blanc
1988
2.7 ton/Ha
14%
Low Road
Chardonnay
2007
7.0 ton/Ha
15%
Die Terrasse
Chardonnay
2009
0.7 ton/Ha
5%
Cottage Lane
Viognier
2006
9.2 ton/Ha
8%
Riverside
Roussanne
2014
6.2 ton/Ha
10%
Riverside
Marsanne
2014
7.5 ton/Ha
2%

ANALYSIS

Chenin blanc 46%; Chardonnay 20%; Sauvignon blanc 14%; Roussanne 10%; Viognier 8% Marsanne 2%

Alc: 13.5%
pH: 3.32
TA: 5.2g/L
RS: 2.2g/L
TSO2: 78mg/L
VA: 0.52g/L

ACCOLADES

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: 17 pts JANCIS ROBINSON
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