KEERMONT 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.

TASTING NOTE

Yellow gold colour, this wine has an explosive bouquet of lime, apple, hazelnut and peach with notes of vanilla spice, crushed oyster shell and butterscotch. The palate is textured and vibrant. A weighted entry comes quickly to life with ripe apricot, peach and pear flavours complimented by richer more spicy savoury fruit. This follows into a lingering sweetsour aftertaste with a light phenolic grip. A thin line of salty acidity gives the wine a succulent finish. Drink 2022-2032.

VINTAGE REPORT

The 2020 vintage started with a moderate Winter with good rainfall. 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 and several heat spikes. These factors made farming quite tough with increased pressure from disease and insects. The vineyard team worked hard to prepare a good looking crop. Mid-Summer temperatures were fairly moderate although we did experience a short heat wave in January. This was followed by 48 hours of gale force South Easter which hammered the vineyards and the ripening grapes. Fortunately, the wind came late in the season and only led to a concentration of the grapes. The grapes ripened quickly after that and by 10 March we had picked most of the 100 ton crop off our vineyards. The end of the vintage was marked by the first full lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic and the farm was all but deserted except for those lucky enough to live there.

BLOCKS

ANALYSIS

Chenin blanc 36%; Chardonnay 22%; Sauvignon blanc 20%; Roussanne 8%; Marsanne 8%; Viognier 6%

Alc: 14.00%
pH: 3.36
TA: 5.9g/L
RS: 1.9g/L
TSO2: 80mg/L
VA: 0.65g/L