• Cabernet Franc 71%; Cabernet Sauvignon 18%; Syrah 11%   The Keermont Companion Red is a blend of a handful of barrels that were left over after we had made up our Keermont wines for 2020. The components are in no way inferior to the components of the Keermont range, we simply had more barrels of them than were required. Interestingly, the combination has resulted in a very complete, balanced, and delicious wine. 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 22 months maturing in seasoned French oak barriques before being bottled by hand without filtration on 26/1/22. 1001 bottles were produced.  

    TASTING NOTE

    Ruby red in colour, this wine has a floral bouquet with hints of herbs, spice and dusty fruit. The palate is soft and spicy with a gentle, but firm tannin structure. Drink 2022-2033.  

    ANALYSIS

    Alc: 14.50% pH: 3.61 TA: 5.2g/L RS: 2.1g/L TSO2: 66mg/L VA: 0.98g/L
  • 55% Viognier; 21% Chenin blanc; 9% Chardonnay; 9% Sauvignon blanc; 3% Roussanne; 3% Marsanne

    78% 2020 Vintage; 22% 2021 Vintage

    The Companion White (Non-Vintage) is a barrel fermented white blend made up of components originally destined for the Keermont Terrasse. The biggest fraction of the blend was a 500 Litre barrel of 2020 Viognier which was a bit too powerful for the Terrasse blend and would have thrown it a bit off balance. To this we added one 225L barrel of Terrasse 2020 blend and one of the 2021 blend.

    Tasting Notes

    A polished light-yellow gold colour, this wine has a complex bouquet of prominent citrus and stone fruit with notes of vanilla, freshly green cut apple, Frangipane flowers, and a hint of cut grass and earthiness. The wine has a soft juicy palate. Subtle fruit flavours of peach, litchi and apricot are complimented by hints of sweet spice, vanilla, and a notable richness from the lees contact. There is good weight on the mid-palate and a light texture. A limey acidity holds the wine together into a lingering, succulent finish. Drink 2021-2030.

    ANALYSIS

    Alc: 13.0% pH: 3.44 TA: 5.5g/L RS: 3.2g/L TSO2: 71mg/L VA: 0.73g/L

     
  • Out of stock
    75% Mourvèdre; 25% Syrah (1198 bottles produced) Introducing the Keermont 4 Barrels Rosé 2023, now forming part of the Keermont range. Our 4 Barrel Rosé is made up of three barrels of Mourvèdre and one barrel of Syrah. The Mourvèdre grows high up in the Steepside vineyard and the Syrah grows low in the valley in the Sweetwater vineyard. Sweetwater is the coolest block and ripens very late allowing us plenty of time to pick fresh grapes for the Rosé. Winemaking: The batches are harvested early (before they are very ripe) for freshness in the wine. The grapes are left on the skins for about an hour to draw just the right amount of colour before being basket pressed. The juice is fermented in seasoned French oak barrels and left to settle for about 5 months before being bottled by hand.   TASTING NOTE Pale onion skin pink in colour, this wine has powerful aromas of ripe strawberry, litchi, and cut grass. The palate is soft and textured with vibrant acidity. Beautiful berry and stone fruit flavours are complimented by vanilla undertones. Drink now, or within the next 5 years.   ANALYSIS Alc: 13.0% pH: 3.44 TA: 5.6 g/L RS: 1.9 g/L TSO2: 96 mg/L VA: 0.34 g/L   VINTAGE REPORT 2023 will be remembered as a wet vintage in the Cape. Winter was cold and wet, which is very beneficial for the vineyards and sets them on a good course for the vintage. While spring was cool and dry, as the season progressed we received above average rainfall. December was very wet which created a lot of disease pressure and led to more growth in the vineyard. Harvest was also wetter than usual and we had to time our picking carefully to avoid dilution from the rain. Fortunately, we were able to get the fruit in relatively quickly before the temperatures started to drop and ripening slowed right down. The farm produced a total of 144.5 tons (roughly the same as 2022) and the Keermont Winery processed 89 tons (including 5 tons for bulk wine sales, a first for us). One interesting point of difference about 2023 was that we didn’t have the usual overlap of white and red grapes. This year we picked most of the white grapes before the red grapes ripened.    
  • Keermont Vineyards is a specialist wine estate set in a 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. Aspects vary from North East through North to West facing 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. Keermont Amphitheatre 2016 spent 20 months maturing in seasoned French oak barriques (first, second, third fill) before being bottled by hand without filtration on 29 November 2017. The wine lay in bottle in our cellar for 5 years before release to ensure integration and maturity. 7500 bottles and 107 magnums were produced.

    TASTING NOTE

    Bright crimson red in the glass, although more opaque than dark. This wine opens with dusty, ripe strawberry aromas complimented by hints of baked pudding, vanilla, and sweet citrus blossom. The palate is tight and effortless, with a firm chalky tannin structure and an array of flavours: ripe plum and berries to savoury herbs and oak tannin. The finish is long and succulent with lingering cherry flavours and grippy tannin. Drink 2022-2035.

    VINTAGE REPORT

    2016 vintage was a challenging one for the vineyard team. It started with moderate Winter temperatures and below average rainfall. Spring came early and was also warm and dry, we had to start irrigating earlier than usual. The weather continued to warm up towards Christmas and we experienced average maximum temperatures of 30°C and 35°C for December and January respectively! Fortunately, we had some rain during December which pepped the vines up leading into the critical ‘veraison’ period, when the berries change colour and begin to ripen and enter a high water-demand period. With all of the hot, dry weather the grapes ripened quickly and we started picking earlier than ever before on 19 January. We processed 78 tons and 11 varieties over the next month. Fortunately we were able to get all of the grapes in with good analysis. Harvest ended as quickly as it had begun. By 19 February we had picked all of the grapes for Keermont wines.

    BLOCKS

    BLOCK
    VARIETY
    PLANTED
    YIELD
    %
    Steepside
    Merlot
    1987
    1.2 ton/Ha
    10%
    High Road
    Merlot
    2005
    4.4 ton/Ha
    9%
    Cottage Lane
    Cab Sauv
    2006
    4.8 ton/Ha
    29%
    High Road
    Cab Franc
    2007
    4.6 ton/Ha
    28%
    Steepside
    Petit Verdot
    2005
    4.5 ton/Ha
    8%
    Homestead
    Malbec
    2007
    7.4 ton/Ha
    16%

    ANALYSIS

    Alc: 14.0 % pH: 3.61 TA: 5.4 g/L RS: 2.0 g/L TSO2: 71 mg/L VA: 0.81 g/L

    ACCOLADES

    AMPHITHEATRE 17: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE AMPHITHEATRE 17: 93 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
  • Out of stock
    Keermont Vineyards is a specialist wine estate set in a 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. Aspects vary from North East through North to West facing 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. Keermont Amphitheatre 2016 spent 20 months maturing in seasoned French oak barriques (first, second, third fill) before being bottled by hand without filtration on 29 November 2017. The wine lay in bottle in our cellar for 5 years before release to ensure integration and maturity. 7500 bottles and 107 magnums were produced.

    TASTING NOTE

    Bright crimson red in the glass, although more opaque than dark. This wine opens with dusty, ripe strawberry aromas complimented by hints of baked pudding, vanilla, and sweet citrus blossom. The palate is tight and effortless, with a firm chalky tannin structure and an array of flavours: ripe plum and berries to savoury herbs and oak tannin. The finish is long and succulent with lingering cherry flavours and grippy tannin. Drink 2022-2035.

    VINTAGE REPORT

    2016 vintage was a challenging one for the vineyard team. It started with moderate Winter temperatures and below average rainfall. Spring came early and was also warm and dry, we had to start irrigating earlier than usual. The weather continued to warm up towards Christmas and we experienced average maximum temperatures of 30°C and 35°C for December and January respectively! Fortunately, we had some rain during December which pepped the vines up leading into the critical ‘veraison’ period, when the berries change colour and begin to ripen and enter a high water-demand period. With all of the hot, dry weather the grapes ripened quickly and we started picking earlier than ever before on 19 January. We processed 78 tons and 11 varieties over the next month. Fortunately we were able to get all of the grapes in with good analysis. Harvest ended as quickly as it had begun. By 19 February we had picked all of the grapes for Keermont wines.

    BLOCKS

    BLOCK
    VARIETY
    PLANTED
    YIELD
    %
    Steepside
    Merlot
    1987
    1.2 ton/Ha
    10%
    High Road
    Merlot
    2005
    4.4 ton/Ha
    9%
    Cottage Lane
    Cab Sauv
    2006
    4.8 ton/Ha
    29%
    High Road
    Cab Franc
    2007
    4.6 ton/Ha
    28%
    Steepside
    Petit Verdot
    2005
    4.5 ton/Ha
    8%
    Homestead
    Malbec
    2007
    7.4 ton/Ha
    16%

    ANALYSIS

    Alc: 14.0 % pH: 3.61 TA: 5.4 g/L RS: 2.0 g/L TSO2: 71 mg/L VA: 0.81 g/L

    ACCOLADES

    AMPHITHEATRE 17: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE AMPHITHEATRE 17: 93 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
  • 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: 92 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) 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)
  • 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: 92 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) 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)
  • (375ml) The KEERMONT FLEURFONTEIN (‘flower fountain’) derives its name from a beautiful Spring on the farm. The Sauvignon Blanc vineyard from which grapes are sourced for this wine lies just below this Spring. We use a particular technique to produce raisins in the vineyard, which gives the Fleurfontein its sweetness. We have started blending in vine-dried Roussanne for more complexity. Our vineyard team use pliers to pinch the stem of the bunches while they ripen on the vine, this pinching action stops the translocation of fluids from the vine to the grapes. This allows the fruit to dry naturally or desiccate on the vine, during the warm Summer. We do this pinching process when the grapes are at optimal ripeness in order to concentrate the juice, with the perfect balance of sugar and acidity. The raisins are harvested a few weeks later and the syrupy juice is squeezed from them with a hard pressing process. The grape syrup is slowly fermented by indigenous yeast in Hungarian and French oak barrels and then matured in these barrels for 18 months. Total production for this bottling was five barrels yielding 2566 bottles. All grapes used in producing this wine were grown on Keermont Vineyards. Processing, maturation, and bottling were carried out by hand in our cellar.  

    TASTING NOTE

    Yellow gold in colour, the Fleurfontein 2022 exudes aromas of dried apricot, litchi, and pineapple with hints of almond, vanilla and sweet spice. The palate is full and creamy with concentrated flavours of dried fruit, honey vanilla biscuit and a touch of grassy freshness. A central core of acidity gives the wine a long, complex, caramel finish. Drink now through to 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! These conditions led to good growth in the early season, but also increased disease pressure. We had to work hard to keep up with the strong growth in order to keep all the vines trimmed and tucked in to ripen the crop ideally. 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 healthy conditions. Harvest started on 1 February which is normal for us. The vineyards consistently delivered good yields and the winery tanks filled up quickly. We pressed our biggest vintage ever in the Keermont Winery: just over 90 tonnes of healthy, estate grown fruit!  

    BLOCKS

    Vineyard Variety Rootstock Planted Percentage in blend
    Low Road Sauvignon blanc 101-14Mgt 2005 85%
    Riverside Roussanne R 110 2014 15%

    ANALYSIS

    Alc: 10.5 % pH: 3.72 TA: 6.6 g/L RS: 293.8 g/L TSO2: 184 mg/L VA: 1.60 g/L  

    ACCOLADES

    FLEURFONTEIN 21: 90 pts WINE SPECTATOR FLEURFONTEIN 21: 96 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) FLEURFONTEIN 21: 90 pts WINE SPECTATOR FLEURFONTEIN NV: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE FLEURFONTEIN NV: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) FLEURFONTEIN 19: 97 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) FLEURFONTEIN 19: 90 pts WINE SPECTATOR FLEURFONTEIN 19: 93 pts WINE MAGAZINE FLEURFONTEIN 19: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE FLEURFONTEIN 18: 95 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) FLEURFONTEIN 18: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE FLEURFONTEIN 18: 92pts TIM ATKIN (MW) FLEURFONTEIN 17: 93pts TIM ATKIN (MW) FLEURFONTEIN 17: 4 stars PLATTER'S GUIDE FLEURFONTEIN 17: 93 pts NEAL MARTIN FLEURFONTEIN 15: 95 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) FLEURFONTEIN 15: 94 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) FLEURFONTEIN 14: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) FLEURFONTEIN 14: 94pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) FLEURFONTEIN 13: FIRST CLASS British Airways FLEURFONTEIN 13: 16.5 pts JANCIS ROBINSON FLEURFONTEIN 12: 91pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) FLEURFONTEIN 12: 94 ptsTIM ATKIN (MW) FLEURFONTEIN 12: FIRST CLASS British Airways FLEURFONTEIN 12: 4½ starsPLATTER GUIDE 2015 FLEURFONTEIN 10: 92 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) FLEURFONTEIN 10: 4 stars PLATTER GUIDE 2012
  • Our two Merlot vineyards are High Road with heavier clay and more rocky soils (altitude 330m) which leans toward more dense and concentrated wine; and Homestead Merlot (altitude 260m) in lighter, loamy soils which leans toward more elegant wine. We follow a traditional winemaking philosophy which means indigenous yeast fermentation, no adjustment to acid or alcohol, maturation in seasoned oak barrels and bottling by hand with little or no filtration. This wine spent 19 months maturing in French oak barrels before being bottled on 28 October 2021. A total of 11720 bottles and 101 magnums were produced.

    TASTING NOTE

    The Keermont Merlot 2020 has a vibrant venetian red colour. Enticing spicy red fruit on the nose with hints of cinnamon, dried herbs, and Christmas pudding. Classical soft, fruitful palate with dark plums, cherries and delicate anise and dried orange notes. Fine dusty tannins hold the wine into a long savoury finish. Best drinking: 2023-2035.  

    VINTAGE REPORT

    Winter temperatures leading up to the 2020 harvest were moderate, with below average rainfall. Fortunately, we had a wet Spring which prompted the vines to grow strong and develop a decent size crop. Early season was marked by erratic temperatures with several heat spikes. These factors made farming quite tough with increased pressure from disease and insects. The vineyard team worked hard to prepare a healthy 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. 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
    %
    Homestead
    Merlot
    2007
    6.8 ton/Ha
    48%
    High Road
    Merlot
    2009
     8.0 ton/Ha
    42%
    Pondokrug
    Cabernet Franc
    2007
    3.6 ton/Ha
    6%
    Homestead
    Malbec
    2007
    1.8 ton/Ha
    4%

    ANALYSIS

    Alc: 15.0% pH: 3.686 TA: 5.2 g/L RS: 2.0 g/L TSO2: 82 mg/L VA: 0.94 g/L

    ACCOLADES

    MERLOT 20: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE MERLOT 20: 88 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) MERLOT 20: 90 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) MERLOT 19: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE MERLOT 19: 87 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) MERLOT 18: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) MERLOT 18: 90 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) MERLOT 18: 90 PTS CHRISTIAN EEDES (Wine Magazine) MERLOT 18: 90 pts JAMES SUCKLING (MW) MERLOT 18: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE MERLOT 17: 87 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) MERLOT 17: 89 PTS CHRISTIAN EEDES (Wine Magazine) MERLOT 17: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE MERLOT 16: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE MERLOT 15: 4 stars PLATTER'S GUIDE MERLOT 15: 91 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) MERLOT 15: 86 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate)
  • Our two Merlot vineyards are High Road with heavier clay and more rocky soils (altitude 330m) which leans toward more dense and concentrated wine; and Homestead Merlot (altitude 260m) in lighter, loamy soils which leans toward more elegant wine. We follow a traditional winemaking philosophy which means indigenous yeast fermentation, no adjustment to acid or alcohol, maturation in seasoned oak barrels and bottling by hand with little or no filtration. This wine spent 19 months maturing in French oak barrels before being bottled on 28 October 2021. A total of 11720 bottles and 101 magnums were produced.

    TASTING NOTE

    The Keermont Merlot 2020 has a vibrant venetian red colour. Enticing spicy red fruit on the nose with hints of cinnamon, dried herbs, and Christmas pudding. Classical soft, fruitful palate with dark plums, cherries and delicate anise and dried orange notes. Fine dusty tannins hold the wine into a long savoury finish. Best drinking: 2023-2035.  

    VINTAGE REPORT

    Winter temperatures leading up to the 2020 harvest were moderate, with below average rainfall. Fortunately, we had a wet Spring which prompted the vines to grow strong and develop a decent size crop. Early season was marked by erratic temperatures with several heat spikes. These factors made farming quite tough with increased pressure from disease and insects. The vineyard team worked hard to prepare a healthy 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. 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
    %
    Homestead
    Merlot
    2007
    6.8 ton/Ha
    48%
    High Road
    Merlot
    2009
     8.0 ton/Ha
    42%
    Pondokrug
    Cabernet Franc
    2007
    3.6 ton/Ha
    6%
    Homestead
    Malbec
    2007
    1.8 ton/Ha
    4%

    ANALYSIS

    Alc: 15.0% pH: 3.686 TA: 5.2 g/L RS: 2.0 g/L TSO2: 82 mg/L VA: 0.94 g/L

    ACCOLADES

    MERLOT 20: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE MERLOT 20: 88 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) MERLOT 20: 90 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) MERLOT 19: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE MERLOT 19: 87 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) MERLOT 18: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) MERLOT 18: 90 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) MERLOT 18: 90 PTS CHRISTIAN EEDES (Wine Magazine) MERLOT 18: 90 pts JAMES SUCKLING (MW) MERLOT 18: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE MERLOT 17: 87 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) MERLOT 17: 89 PTS CHRISTIAN EEDES (Wine Magazine) MERLOT 17: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE MERLOT 16: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE MERLOT 15: 4 stars PLATTER'S GUIDE MERLOT 15: 91 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) MERLOT 15: 86 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate)
  • WHAT IS IN THE BOX

    The perfect starter pack of our wines. It includes one bottle of each of our annual release wines, namely, Terrasse, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Amphitheatre & Fleurfontein. 10% discount included in the price.
  • Out of stock

    WHAT IS IN THE BOX

    Our Keermont tasting kit comprises of 6 Keermont wines in small 50ml bottles. This includes our Terrasse, Syrah, Merlot, Cab, Estate Reserve and Fleurfontein. Best consumed within a few days of purchase.