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. This wine spent 19 months maturing in seasoned French oak barriques (first, second, third fill) before being bottled by hand without filtration on 21 November 2016. 5675 bottles and 100 magnums were produced. The Keermont Amphitheatre 2015 lay in bottle in our cellar for 5 years before release to ensure integration and maturity.

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. There is a firm chalky tannin structure and an array of flavours from ripe plum and berries to more savoury herbs and oak tannin. The finish is long and succulent with lingering cherry flavours and grippy tannins. Drink 2021-2035.

VINTAGE REPORT

A cold wet winter (as experienced in this vintage) is a good thing for the vine. It goes into full dormancy and wakes up well rested and ready for the season ahead. This was apparent with very even budding and strong early growth during Spring. From that point onwards, we experienced a very dry season. Growing conditions, however, were ideal with warm days and cool nights. This variation in temperature leads to good flavour and colour development in the berries and as a result we had a small crop with great quality. We had our earliest harvest yet starting on 23 January and finishing on 3 March and took 70 tons of grapes into the winery.

LEND: BLOCKS

ANALYSIS

Alc: 14.5 %
pH: 3.55
TA: 5.6 g/L
RS: 2.0 g/L
TSO2: 65 mg/L
VA: 0.77 g/L

ACCOLADES

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