"This fleshy red shows a roasted edge to the mix of tobacco, currant, blackberry and alder notes, melding through the slightly grainy, mature finish, where a backdrop of sage and savory awaits. Displays fine range and character, though this is a bit burly overall. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2015. 112 cases made. –JM"
Wine Spectator (June 2013), 90 pts
"Good full red-ruby. Crushed blue- and blackberry, raspberry, menthol and licorice on the complex, vibrant nose, along with hints of tobacco and herbs. Silky on entry, then dry, spicy, vinous and uncompromising, with excellent definition to the dark fruit and spice flavors. A step up in depth and refinement from the 2010 syrah bottling. Builds nicely on the lingering, spicy finish, which leaves behind a fine dusting of tannins. A lovely representative of this excellent vintage."
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Issue #168, May/June 2013), 91+ pts
"The 2012 Keermont comes from the older blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot augmented by a selection of barrels for newer sites. It sees 22 months in French oak, 20% new. It has a sedate bouquet: well-defined, conservative at first, but unfolding with blackberry, tobacco and mint aromas that remain very linear. The palate is medium-bodied with a chewy entry. There is decent weight in the mouth, although it does not quite flow toward the compact finish like the 2011. Still, this is a fine wine from winemaker Alex Starey. - Neal Martin"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #215, October 2014), 89 pts
"(14.5% alcohol; the estate's flagship red; 37% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, 8% Malbec and 1% Syrah; aged in 20% new oak): Red-ruby. Blueberry, licorice and mint on the nose, with some leafy notes from the Cabernets and a touch of violet from the Shiraz. Quite firm and backward, displaying juicy flavors of dark berries, herbs and spices. Finishes broad, firmly tannic and classically dry but not hard, with an attractive light touch. This may ultimately merit an outstanding rating.- Stephen Tanzer"
- Vinous (January 2015), 89+ pts
