Keermont White Blend Terrasse 2015
| Country: | South Africa |
| Region: | Swartland Region |
| Grape Type: | Chenin Blanc |
| Winery: | Keermont Vineyards |
| Organic: | Yes |
Huge Sale, discounts on 6 bottles and cases!
The 2012 Terrasse is a blend of 31% Chenin Blanc, 30% Chardonnay, 30% Sauvignon Blanc and 9% Viognier that sees 12 months in 225-liter and 500-liter barrels. It has a pleasant bouquet with yellow plum, apricot and lemon curd scents that harken toward the southern Rhone. The palate is well-balanced with a vibrant entry, effervescent orange peel and tangerine notes and a soft creamy finish. This is very harmonious and attests to very astute blending of varieties in the cellar. The bottom line is – delicious. Drink now-2017 -Wine Advocate #209 Oct 2013 90 Points
Keermont White Blend Terrasse 2012 is made from 31% Chenin Blanc (Riverside parcel - Low Road Parcel), 30% Chardonnay, 30% Sauvignon Blanc and 9% Viognier.
An attractive light autumn yellow color, lime and melons on the nose with light oak and nut aromas, palate defined by a central core of fresh acidity with layers of fruit and rich lees. Drink now through 2020.
Keermont White Blend Terrasse derives its name from the terraced vineyards from which the grapes are harvested. The backbone of the blend is Chenin blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. Total production was just six barrels yielding 1575 bottles. All grapes used in producing this wine were grown on Keermont Vineyards. Small parcels of grapes were specifically selected, harvested by hand and were gently and naturally vinified. The wine was fermented and then spent a further 11 months maturing on the lees in French oak barrels. Bottling was carried out by hand without filtration, so if you are lucky you may find a little lees in the bottom of your bottle.
A polished light yellow gold color, this wine has a bouquet of citrus blossom with hazelnut, lemon grass and butterscotch undertones. The wine has a soft sweet entry with a racy linear acidity. Ripe citrus and stone fruit flavours evolve into a lovely lingering dry earthy finish. This is a textured white wine with layers of flavour.
"The 2016 Keermont Terrasse underwent a little skin contact and was barrel-fermented in 225- and 500-liter barrels with around 10% new oak for 12 months. It has a fresh bouquet of white peach, honeysuckle and a touch of melted candle wax. The palate is well balanced, considering that Alex Starey said it was the first vintage that endured drought problems (hence the higher percentage of Sauvignon Blanc), offering grass clipping, gooseberry and nettle toward the finish. Very fine. - Neal Martin"
- Vinous (August 28th 2018), 90 pts
"Always a crowd pleaser, the Terrasse shows very appealing white stone fruit, lemon curd and floral scents. Softly textured with good backbone and firm acidity complementing riper stone fruit and citrus flavors. A blend of 39% Chenin Blanc, 34% Sauvignon blanc, 14% Viognier and 13% Chardonnay fermented and aged in used 500L barrels for 12 months. Lees stirred only during fermentation then left to sit on the lees.13% alc."
- International Wine Review (January 2019), 91 pts
Keermont Red Blend 2012 is made from 37% Merlot 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remainder Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Malbec
Venetian red in colour, this wine exudes complex aromas of ripe cherry, wild berries, and dusty 'fynbos'. The palate has an array of ripe berries, cherry sherbet, crushed herbs and spices. Elegant but firm tannin affords the wine a long dry succulent finish. Drink 2015-2025.
Bonny Doon Gravitas White Blend 61% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Gewürztraminer
The nose has the haunting perfume of magnolia flowers and scent of white peaches, with suggestions of ripe Bosc Pear, sweet green grass, exotic saffron and a touch of lavender honey. But wait, there’s more: A bit of bergamot orange blossom, jasmine, and key lime custard, quince and Madagascar vanilla. These aromas are echoed on the palate adding a light, deft, fresh acidity; a savory wine, perfect with all manner of seafood and lighter entrées.
Pairs with oysters, cassoulet, grilled veggies. Staff favorites include blackened fish tacos - or if you're feeling fancy, lobster tacos!
Graviere La Rouge Cuvee les Terrasses is made of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep red color with a narrow purple rim. Attractive aromas of ripe, juicy cherry and blackberry over spice, integrated toasted aromas. The palate is balanced and full-bodied with supple tannins, displaying rich cherry flavors combined with gentle toasting characters and a touch of spice. The finish is lasting with a bitter almond aftertaste.
Average age of the vines is 25 years.
Manual harvest from September 21th to October 7th 2015.
Upon arrival at the winery, only the best grapes were selected using a sorting table.
Skin contact maceration during 2 weeks in temperature controlled vats.
75% of the final wine was aged in stainless steel tanks with French oak staves and blended with 25% of wine aged in barrels.
Serve with red, white meats, poultry and fine cheeses.
Review:
"Offering a Graves-like style in its smoked earth, dark fruits, coffee grind, and earthy, tobacco-laced aromas and flavors, the 2015 Chateau La Graviere Les Terrasses Cotes de Bourg is medium to full-bodied, has a fleshy, rounded, sexy texture, and a great finish. It’s another gem from the 2015 vintage that over-delivers. Drink it any time over the coming 7-8 years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 27th 2019), 90 pts
Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc is made from Cabernet Franc.
The Keermont Single Vineyard Series was created to high light the superb quality and individual character of the wines produced from certain vineyard parcels on the farm. These parcels have been registered as Single Vineyards with the South African Wine Industry Information & Systems NPC (SAWIS) and wines labelled as such may not contain wine made from any other vineyard. The production of each wine is therefore very limited. We do not bottle these wines every year.
Tasting notes:
This wine has a pink purple hue. Typical herbal aromas are complimented by strawberries and red candy. The palate is intense with bright red fruit flavors complimented by hints of sherbet, red peppers and black currant. The tannin structure is tight and grippy and a strong central acid core gives the wine a long powerful dry finish. Drink 2018-2030.
High up on the west-facing slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain, this is a 1.81 Hectares (4.5 acres) parcel of Cabernet Franc planted in 2006. At an elevation of 380 meters 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 allows Keermont to produce an intense wine with unique flavors 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. This process is carried out gently and naturally in open top fermenters using traditional methods only. This wine spent 20 months maturing in seasoned French oak barrels before being bottled by hand without filtration.
Review:
"Sourced from the top two terraces of the vineyard up near the reservoir, this single parcel Cabernet Franc reveals good typicity and impressive depth of plum and dark cherry fruit. Creamy, lush texture on a full bodied palate with fine firm tannins. Matured 20 months in used French oak. The name means hut (pondok) on the ridge (rug) in Afrikaans."- International Wine Review (January 2019), 93 pts
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (August 2018), 91 pts
"The 2015 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Cottage Lane Vineyard, located at 300 meters above sea level. It was picked in small batches that underwent strict sorting and spent two to three weeks on the skins. It then matured for 22 months in 225-liter French oak barrels (10% to 15% new) before being bottled by hand without filtration. It has a tightly wound bouquet at first, presenting blackberry, bilberry, cedar and light damp undergrowth scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and mint- and cedar-tinged black fruit on the entry, building toward a nicely structured, quite sappy finish. It doesn’t quite deliver the panache of its Syrah counterpart, but it is a fine Cabernet Sauvignon all the same. - Neal Martin"- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (August 2018), 91 pts
Closeout!
65% Chenin Blanc, 13% Chardonnay, 17% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Viognier
A polished light yellow gold color, this wine has a bouquet of citrus blossom with hazelnut, lemon grass and butterscotch undertones. The wine has a soft sweet entry with a racy linear acidity. Ripe citrus and stone fruit flavours evolve into a lovely lingering dry earthy finish. This is a textured white wine with layers of flavour. Drink 2014-2024.
Reviews:
The 2015 White Blend Terrasse comprises 56% Chenin Blanc, 17% Viognier, 14% Sauvignon Blanc and 13% Chardonnay, raised for 12 months in French oak. It has quite an aromatic bouquet of white peach, freshly sliced grapefruit and a touch of lychee, all well defined and vivacious. The palate is very well balanced with a slightly resinous, waxy opening, the Viognier here making its presence felt. There is a pleasant salinity on the finish with a gorgeous brightness and tension. This is a strong follow-up to the outstanding 2014.
- Wine Advocate, 93 pts
The Viognier component of
this Chenin Blanc-based blend with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay was increased
to 17% in 2015, but it was also picked earlier to retain acidity. The result is
a very harmonious cuvee: rose water, aniseed, tangerine, some stone fruit and a
tangy, refreshing finish. 2017-21"
- Tim Atkin (South Africa
2017 Special Report), 93 pts
This Chenin Blanc-based blend, with additional portions of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, is delicate in nature, though complex and layered beneath it's reserved surface. It boasts notes of apple flesh, melon rind, yellow flower, fynbos and beeswax on the nose and mouth, with final impressions of orange pith and lemon zest on the enduing finish. Harmonouos and well-balanced, it offers a pleasant, softly astringent texture that lends structure to the medium-weight palate and length to the close. Drink now–2023.
– Wine Enthusiast 93 Points
"This bristles with
quinine, mirabelle plum, blanched almond and lemon pith notes, while crackling
acidity runs underneath. Rich melon and yellow apple details fill in through
the finish, adding bass to match the treble. Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Sauvignon
Blanc and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2019. 625 cases made.–JM"
- Wine Spectator (May 31st
2017), 92 pts
The Keermont Estate and Vineyards
Located just beyond Stellenbosch, Keermont Vineyards is nestled in farm land in the beautiful valleys of South Africa. Keermont uses their name to honor the former farm, Keerweder, that once occupied their land. The word “keerweder” means a dead end in a valley. The literal translation is “blocked again”, which is in reference to the early settlers being blocked by the terrain when trying to pass through the valley.
The Keermont winery building and vineyards actually lie in the shadow of Guardian Peak, or “Suurberg”. This location is ideal for Keermont, as the fruit on this mountain is often compared to the grapes of Napa Valley’s famous Howell Mountain AVA.
In 1694, Jan Jac Van Dyk founded the land in the Blaawklippen Valley that is the location of present day Keermont. Other wineries such as Waterford, Dornier, and Stellenzicht are also on the land once owned by Van Dyk. The earliest account of a European landowner utilizing the area for agricultural use are Van Dyk’s records. Afterwards, the potential and beauty of the Blaawklippen Valley attracted many other landowners to the area and the land was divided into individual farms.
Mark and Monica Wraith bought into this land by purchasing the Fleurfontein and Keerweder III farms in 2003. They combined the two farms into the Keermont Vineyards Estate. The couple still live on the Keermont land with their family. Alex Starey is the Keermont winemaker. In 2005, Keermont began a major vineyard planting program and it now holds 27 ha under vine. In 2007, Keermont releases its first vintage, from a crop of only 5 barrels or 108 cases. In 2010, the physical Keermont winery building, complete with offices, processing facilities, barrel rooms, and a tasting room, was converted from the former spring water bottling plant that had once resided on the Fleurfontein farm. The total farm acreage for Keermont Vineyards is 157 hectares or 388 acres, with 27 hectares under vine. 18 hectares produce red varietals such as Cabernet Savignon, Merlot, and Syrah. 9 hectares hold the white varietals like Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Viognier. Keermont also boasts Chenin Blanc vines that are over forty years old and used by De Trafford winery. Keermont aims to create wines that reflect their beautiful land and the particular year’s vintage condition. Keermont focuses on using minimal chemical fertilizers, few pesticides, and irrigate as little as possible. No fining or filtration is practiced on the Keermont Estate. Keermont desires a natural, harmonious vineyard that will in the long run produce better quality wines.
The goal of this estate is to make superior blends. The wines to be produced, but not written in stone, are:
Keermont Red – 40 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 20% Syrah.
Keermont White – 70% Chenin Blanc, 30% Viognier and Chardonnay
Dessert wine in exceptional vintages
Keermont Syrah – Syrah, Mourvedre, Viognier
Some wines from Keermont Winery:
- Keermont Red Blend
- Keermont Syrah
- Keermont White Blend Terrasse
Any Keermont wines we have in stock are listed below, if you don’t see the wine you are looking for please don’t hesitate to ask for it.
Grand Veneur Cotes Du Rhone Les Champauvins is made of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre
Intense, brilliant garnet-red colour. It reveals lovely fruit, loads of body and a heady bouquet of ground peppers, raspberries cherry liqueur, currants, and spice box. Full-bodied and dense, it tastes more like a "baby Châteauneuf" than a Côtes du Rhône.
A complete wine, rich and elegant, thanks to the harmony of all the elements which make it up.
Drink between 1 and 6 years.
Soil type DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR “Les Champauvins” stretches on 34 ha classified in Côtes du Rhône. The plots are located in the northern border of Châteauneuf du Pape, exactly from 3 meters outside the appellation. A small lane of rocks going through the rocky plateaux has been decided to be the AOC limit in 1936. Here, soils are made of red clay and rocks (pebbled stones of quartz). The quantity of rocks can be amazing as they can completely cover the soil (see picture). In summer and during the day, the rocks temperature will increase to 55°C. This accumulated heat will be get back to the vines during nights . Day after day, this unique phenomenon allow the grapes to reach a perfect maturity and produce a unique wine. Winemaking & Ageing Traditional, in stainless steel vats. Harvest crushed and destemmed. Fermentation in temperature controlled vats at 28°C. Eighteen-day vating period with “pigeage”. Grenache is aged in concrete vats, Syrah and mourvèdre in 4 years old barrelsntense, brilliant garnet-red colour. It reveals lovely fruit, loads of body and a heady bouquet of ground peppers, raspberries cherry liqueur, currants, and spice box. Full-bodied and dense, it tastes more like a “baby Châteauneuf” than a Côtes du Rhône. A complete wine, rich and elegant, thanks to the harmony of all the elements which make it up.
Review:
One of the finest vintages of this cuvée to date, the 2016 Côtes du Rhône Les Champauvins (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre) is a brilliant, sexy, medium to full-bodied Côtes du Rhône that offers a spectacular bouquet of garrigue, peppery herbs, pine, and sweet red and black fruits. With beautiful complexity, a layered, seamless texture, notable tannins, and a great finish, it easily competes with any number of more expensive Châteauneuf-du-Papes and Gigondas. It’s great today yet will keep for 7-8 years.-Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
Mordoree Lirac Rouge Reine des Bois equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre
Color : deep dark red, with blueish hints.
Aromas : highly fruity ( raspberry, billberry, blackberry ), floral (violet) and intense with a grilled touch ( coffee ).
Palate : melted and concentrated tannins, full bodied, very long fresh finish.
Ageing potential : 8 to 10 years
Grilled meats, sauce meats, game birds, game rabbits and semi-mature cheeses.
Review:
One of the finest releases from not only this appellation but the entire Southern Rhône, the 2016 Lirac La Reine Des Bois is a unique blend of close to equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre that’s brought up in 30% used barrels, the balance in stainless steel. It literally jumps from the glass with loads of blackberry and currant fruits, graphite, charred meats, and peppery herbs. Deeply colored, medium to full-bodied, with sensational purity, give bottles a year or two and enjoy through 2028. It’s another brilliant wine from this estate that’s landed on both feet after the passing of winemaker Christophe Delorme in 2015.-Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
Chateau Mazane Vacqueyras Rouge is made from 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre.
Ages in 30% Aged in oak, 70% concrete vats.
Medium-bodied, pure and elegant. It offers plenty of plum, blueberry, spring flowers and peppery notes. Beautifully textured, enjoy it over the coming 6-7 years.
Pair with with duck (roasted or grilled) as well as any grilled vegetables (eggplant, zucchini).
Soil types
The vineyard stretches over the plateau of scrubland that is ideally located between the terraces of the Ouvèze (tributary of the Rhone) and Dentelles de Montmirail, and constitutes pebbles soil debris of Dentelles de Montmirail and clay.
Winemaking
Traditional winemaking, temperature controlled fermentation.
Review:
"Slightly lighter on its feet, with more red fruits, cassis, garrigue, spice, and subtle minerality, the 2016 Vacqueyras Chateau Mazane stays incredibly light and graceful on the palate and has incredible class. Nuanced, elegant and lightly textured, yet brilliantly concentrated and full-bodied, it's another undeniably delicious, seriously good wine from this estate. The blend is 60% Syrah, 30% Syrah and the rest Mourvèdre and it has a decade of terrific drinking ahead of it."
- Jeb Dunnuck (September 2018), 94 pts
Mordoree Cotes du Rhone Dame Rousse Rose is made from 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 10% Carignan, 5% Mourvedre
Color : rosé, slightly orange (mordorée colour).
Aromas : crystallized oranges and cherries, slightly aniseed.
Palate : very rounded, fresh and long finish.
Ageing potential : 2 to 3 years
Surface : 14 Ha. Yield : 45 Hl./Ha. Vineyard age : 20 years Terroir : clay / chalk,clay / limestone and sandy with pebble stones. Harvest : by hand. Vinification : vat bleeding, temperature control. Estate bottled.
Food pairing: cold meats and delicatessen, fowl, white meats, grilled lamb with Provence herbs, fish soup, fried fish, pastas, pizzas and all Asian dishes.
A polished light yellow gold color, this wine has a bouquet of citrus blossom with hazelnut, lemon grass and butterscotch undertones. The wine has a soft sweet entry with a racy linear acidity. Ripe citrus and stone fruit flavours evolve into a lovely lingering dry earthy finish. This is a textured white wine with layers of flavour.
"The 2016 Keermont Terrasse underwent a little skin contact and was barrel-fermented in 225- and 500-liter barrels with around 10% new oak for 12 months. It has a fresh bouquet of white peach, honeysuckle and a touch of melted candle wax. The palate is well balanced, considering that Alex Starey said it was the first vintage that endured drought problems (hence the higher percentage of Sauvignon Blanc), offering grass clipping, gooseberry and nettle toward the finish. Very fine. - Neal Martin"
- Vinous (August 28th 2018), 90 pts
"Always a crowd pleaser, the Terrasse shows very appealing white stone fruit, lemon curd and floral scents. Softly textured with good backbone and firm acidity complementing riper stone fruit and citrus flavors. A blend of 39% Chenin Blanc, 34% Sauvignon blanc, 14% Viognier and 13% Chardonnay fermented and aged in used 500L barrels for 12 months. Lees stirred only during fermentation then left to sit on the lees.13% alc."
- International Wine Review (January 2019), 91 pts
Cortenova Primitivo is made from 100% Primitivo
The grapes are harvested and immediately pressed at controlled temperature. Fermentation is carried out with maceration on the skins for 10-12 days; daily remontages; malolactic fermentation.
Dark, ruby-red color with violet highlights. Intense and fragrant bouquet with a rich array of red and black fruit aromas and flavors. Harmonious and velvety on the palate. Great balance and structure.
Excellent with grilled or roasted meats, game and cheeses.
- back
Bright and light golden-yellow in color. Exotic and sweet vanilla bean aromatics backed by pear and kiwi with a slight orange peel. The palate resonates with texture and depth as stone minerality and cream brioche to match. Flavors of roasted plantains, gravenstein apple, and lemon zest frame the wine for a long yet soft finish.
Planted in the early 90’s, this is the coolest vineyard site in the Russian River Valley, located at Lee Martinelli Sr.’s home ranch in Forestville, CA. After riding around with Lee in his pick-up truck when we visited his Woolsey Road, Zio Tony, and River Road Vineyards, he decided to take me to this gem. He kept this particular vineyard in his back pocket until we hit it off. We did, and I think you’ll enjoy the ride as well.
Review:
Elusively crisp and inviting on the nose, this is a thickly intriguing wine, floral in orange blossom and fresh apple. Structured and lengthy, it retains a tangy acidity and structured finish, the grapes sourced from a dry-farmed vineyard. - Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
Short Street Chardonnay is made from 100% Chardonnay
Situated at the very heart of South Africa’s Swartland wine region, Short Street is the shortest street in the Riebeek Valley. A melting pot of creative energy, gourmet fare, farm fresh produce and the vibrant, uncomplicated lifestyle of the people, Short Street captures the essence of the Swartland, where passion, creativity and simplicity are distilled into a captivating experience.
Made in a rich, full-bodied, wooded style, this has an intense aroma of ripe apples, lime and pears with hints of tropical fruit, beautifully enhanced by subtle tones of well-integrated oak.
Although upfront and bold, the secret of this wine is in its exceptional balance.
Only free-run juice was settled and was inoculated with selected yeast to ferment in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks between 13-14 degrees Celsius. After fermentation the wine is matured in French oak for 3 – 6 months to integrate flavors and enhance a luxurious mouth-feel.
erve slightly chilled with to rich seafood dishes like scallops or creamy crab chowder.
