Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon grows in our Cottage Lane vineyard on the mid-slopes of the Helderberg Mountain. This vineyard is situated on the crest of a ridge at 320m above sea level. It has aspects ranging from East through North to West and is very exposed, resulting in small, tight bunches and low yields. This has allowed us to make a relatively fine-grained Cabernet, while 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. All grapes used in producing our wines are grown on Keermont Vineyards. Most of the vineyard parcels grow on deep red clay rich soil derived from sandstone and granite. The blocks are surrounded by indigenous fynbos vegetation. Our vineyards are planted on steep mid-slopes high up in the valley between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg Mountain ranges, between 250 and 400 meters above sea level. 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 14 December 2022. The Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 was bottle aged in our cellar for 20 months before release to ensure integration and improved rinkability. 14 286 bottles and 100 magnums were produced.   TASTING NOTE Dark ruby red in colour, this vintage has a vibrant bouquet of ripe red berry fruit, cassis, dustiness, and a hint of fresh herbs. The palate is fine and structured. The tannins are firm, 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-focussed finish. Best drinking:2026-2036.   VINTAGE REPORT 2021 will be remembered as an excellent vintage at Keermont. Weather conditions were very favourable. It began with a wet winter and spring, followed by a very moderate growing season and a late cool and dry harvest. These factors, combined with a lot of hard work in the vineyards, led to the development of a healthy, evenly ripened crop. Although our yields per hectare were not particularly high, the quality was excellent. The grapes came in looking and tasting great with very good acidity and sugar levels. Picking and processing ran smoothly thanks to lessons learned in previous vintages, as well as a massive effort from the picking and winery teams. The Keermont winery crushed a total of 80 tons, all sourced from our own vineyards.  

BLOCKS

BLOCK	VARIETY	PLANTED	YIELD	%
Cottage Lane	Cabernet Sauvignon	2006	6.0 ton/Ha	95%
Pondok Rug 3	Cabernet Franc	2007	2.7 ton/Ha	5%

  ANALYSIS Alc: 14.5 % pH: 3.55 TA: 5.3g/L RS: 1.8 g/L TSO2: 60 mg/L VA: 0.78 g/L   ACCOLADES CAB 21: 4 ½ stars PLATTER’S GUIDE CAB 21: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) CAB 21: 92 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) 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 SYRAH is a blend of three different Syrah vineyard sites growing on Keermont Vineyards: Steepside Syrah: Growing on a North facing slope in deep, red clay-rich soils; this vineyard generally produces softer full bodied wines with rich, spicy flavours. Topside Syrah: An unirrigated west facing vineyard planted at 400m above sea level on rocky sandstone-based soil. Topside Syrah is usually an aromatic wine with a solid structure and high natural acid. Sweetwater Syrah: Situated in a rocky valley below the Fleurfontein spring, this is the coolest of the three Syrah sites and ripens the latest. Sweetwater Syrah is normally lighter and elegant in style with a herbal aroma. We add a small percentage of Mourvedre to this to bring some extra tannin structure and complexity. Vinification: 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. This process is carried out gently and naturally in open top fermenters using traditional methods only. This wine spent 20 months maturing in seasoned 500 and 225 litre French oak barrels before being bottled by hand on 27 November 2019. We produced 13074 bottles and 98 magnums.  

TASTING NOTE

Keermont Syrah 2018 has a bright blood red colour with a lighter hue. The bouquet is enticing with strawberries and other red fruit and notes of sandal wood, tea leaf, cloves, and orange rind. The wine has a gentle entry onto the palate. It exudes vibrant flavours of cherry and raspberry, complimented by savoury spice, and a vanilla note. A soft, but tight tannin structure and good natural acidity keep the flavours focused into a tidy succulent finish. Drink 2023-2033.  

VINTAGE REPORT

Despite prevailing drought conditions, 2018 was a very good growing season on Keermont. We had a fairly cold winter although it was drier than usual. Spring arrived quite early and the warm weather ensured an even budburst. We had some good rain showers during the season which allowed for the vines to grow sufficiently. These factors led to the formation of a healthy crop which ripened evenly. We had very notable diurnal temperature variation during this season (warm days and cool nights) which is responsible for good tannin, colour, and flavour development. Harvest started at the beginning of February and ran very smoothly. We processed 87 tons (13 varieties) in the Keermont winery over the period of seven weeks.  

BLOCKS

BLOCK	VARIETY	PLANTED	YIELD	%
Steepside	Syrah	2005	5.3 ton/Ha	30%
Steepside	Syrah	2009	2.7 ton/Ha	10%
Topside	Syrah	2006	5.6 ton/Ha	30%
Sweetwater	Syrah	2006	14.6 ton/Ha	19%
Steepside	Mourvèdre	2009	2.2 ton/Ha	11%

ANALYSIS

Alc: 14.0 % pH: 3.66 TA: 5.2 g/L RS: 1.8 g/L TSO2: 51 mg/L VA: 0.72 g/L

ACCOLADES

SYRAH 19: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE SYRAH 19: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) SYRAH 18: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE SYRAH 18: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) SYRAH 18: 93 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) SYRAH 17: 91 WINE SPECTATOR SYRAH 17: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE SYRAH 17: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) SYRAH 17: 90 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous) SYRAH 16: 91 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) SYRAH 16: 92 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) SYRAH 16: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE SYRAH 15: 91 pts WINE MAGAZINE SYRAH 15: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) SYRAH 15: 4 ½ stars PLATTER'S GUIDE SYRAH 15: 93 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) SYRAH 14: 4 stars PLATTER'S GUIDE SYRAH 14: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) SYRAH 14: 90 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) SYRAH 13: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) SYRAH 13: 4 stars PLATTER GUIDE SYRAH 12: 95 pts (5 stars) DECANTER MAGAZINE SYRAH 12: 17 pts JANCIS ROBINSON SYRAH 12: 92 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) SYRAH 12: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) SYRAH 12: MATTHEW JUKES WoW in Money week:"my top red wine from the recent South African expo ….""the greatest South African sensory experiences of my year "-  21 November 2014 SYRAH 12: 4 stars PLATTER GUIDE SYRAH 11: 91 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) SYRAH 10: 93 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) SYRAH 10: 92pts JAMES MOLESWORTH (Wine Spectator) SYRAH 10: 19/20 RENÉ GABRIEL SYRAH 10: 92pts PETER MOSER (Falstaff) SYRAH 10: 17.5pts JULIA HARDING (MW) (Jancis Robinson) SYRAH 09: 94 pts NEAL MARTIN (Wine Advocate) SYRAH 09: 91pts JAMES MOLESWORTH (Wine Spectator) SYRAH 09: 94pts PETER MOSER (Falstaff)

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 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: 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