KYSELA PERE ET FILS, LTD.

"The "basic" Keermont Syrah uses grapes from the Topside, Steepside and Sweetwater vineyards and is something of a bargain given its quality. Paired with 10% Mourvèdre, this is alluringly perfumed and exotic, with lavender and wild thyme aromas, bramble, pomegranate and black cherry flavours and supple tannins. 2024-30"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2023 Report), 93 pts

"The 2016 Syrah has a mellow, warm, inviting bouquet of red cherries, crushed strawberry, star anise and orange liqueur scents. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins, quite fleshy and satin-like in texture, though it decides not to exert too much grip on the finish. This is drinking perfectly now and should continue to do so for the next 10–12 years. - Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2021), 91 pts

"The 2015 Syrah has quite a powerful, floral bouquet of black cherry and blueberry fruit infused with crushed violets, perhaps not as refined as the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon tasted alongside. The palate is medium-bodied, with rounded tannins framing a supple, velvet-smooth Syrah that is built to seduce. Discreet notes of clove and pencil lead develop toward the finish. This is a wine that is keeping its cards close to its chest at the moment, so afford it two or three years in the cellar. - Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2019), 93 pts

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"The 2015 Keermont Syrah, containing 13% Mourvèdre, is softly floral with a dark-fruited edge and subtle black pepper spices. The medium-bodied palate is clean with a firm blackberry core that turns tart and grippy as it lingers in the mouth, finishing long and structured with tannic grip. 16,432 bottles were made. - Anthony Mueller"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 90+ pts

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"Three different sites on the Keermont farm - Steepside, Topside and Sweetwater - supply grapes for this intense, yet subtly oaked Syrah. Scented, spicy and refined, it has classic pepper grinder notes, sweet red fruit and a hint of black olive. 2018-24"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2017 Special Report), 94 pts

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"An expressive wine with a hint of garrique on the nose and slow mounting spiciness on a fleshy, smooth palate. Macerated dark cherries, black olives and a touch of smoked meat combine to offer a deliciously flavored, generous wine."

- International Wine Review (January 2019), 91 pts

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"This wine opens with an extremely soft and delicate bouquet, offering faint hints of red plum and cherry. The palate is medium in weight and lightly creamy, with more fruity flavors expressed in notes of all-fruit preserves and raspberry sauce. It's framed by plush, velvety tannins and a solid dose of sweet oak atop. - Lauren BUZZEO"

- Wine Enthusiast (July 2019), 88 pts

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"Blending barrels from Keermont’s two single vineyard wines with a third block called Steep Water, this is a wonderfully wild, gutsy Syrah, with 13% Mourvèdre adding more savoury grip. Textured and granitic, it’s spicy and perfumed with a pot pourri of Mediterranean herbs. Drink: 2016-23."

- Tim Atkin (SA Special Report, September 2016), 93 pts

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"Dark red. Pungent aromas of dark raspberry, anise, herbs and spices, plus a whiff of Tellicherry peppercorn. Juicy, leanish and a bit youthfully imploded, with a strong licorice and herb quality continuing through the palate. There's some varietal character here but in a distinctly dry style, finishing with firm, dusty tannins. I wanted more sweetness of fruit and give. This needs time but will the fruit outlast the tannins?- Stephen Tanzer"

- Vinous (May 2017), 88 pts

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"A ripe, lush style, with warm raspberry, boysenberry and blackberry confiture flavors gushing forth, backed by black licorice and singed apple wood notes. Has the spine for balance, but this is aimed at the fruit-bomb crowd. Drink now through 2020. 466 cases made."

- Wine Spectator (September 2016), 91 pts

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"The 2011 Syrah spent 24 months in second and third fill French barrels, 225-liters and 500-liters in size with just one barrel new. It offers a glorious bouquet with precocious but beautifully defined black cherries and blueberry fruit interlaced with dried violets. The palate is medium-bodied with a fresh, marine-influenced entry. The tannins are taut and frame this symmetrical Syrah that ends with an elegant, spicy and saline finish that begs the imbiber to take another sip. Overall this is another superb effort from Keermont. Drink 2014-2020.  - NM"

eRobertParker.com (Issue# 209, October 2013), 91 pts

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"Sweet vanilla aroma. Sweet blueberries on the palate. Dense, chewy tannins. Ambitious rather than refined, I thought at first. Masses of flavour and lots of structure but has a redeemingly dry texture that makes you stop and re-evaluate. Great potential for complexity and very long."

Jancis Robinson (South Africa's Next Generation, May 7th 2013),

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"Alex told me that a storm deprived them of 40-50% of the Syrah crop, which ended up concentrating the wine. Just eight barrels were produced of the 2010 Syrah, which includes a new high altitude vineyard that may be bottled separately in the future. It has an intriguing bouquet that demands coaxing from the glass. It is worth the wait, for eventually you are rewarded with blackberry, iodine, mint and fresh prune that is exotic and yet very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, tight-wound tannins. There is a touch of spice infusing the dark plum fruit, the used oak remaining well behaved in the background and allowing the fruit to express itself. It offers an enticing bitter edge on the finish that compels you to take another sip. Drink 2013-2020. Keermont was one of the most impressive Stellenbosch wines that I encountered during my trip last year – once I could entice winemaker Alex Starey away from his surfboard. Fortunately, when not riding waves he continues to find time making his superb wines."

eRobertParker.com (Neil Martin, Issue# 204, December 2012), 93 pts

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"A dark, engaging, juicy style, with lots of blackberry, bramble, crushed plum and singed anise notes. This is layered with toast and espresso, displaying drive and sharp definition. Drink now through 2016.—J.M."

Wine Spectator (May 31st 2013), 92 pts

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"Good dark ruby-red. Captivating if restrained aromas of blackberry, smoked meat, pepper and herbs. Not especially fleshy but spicy and aromatic in the mouth, with a black fruit confiture flavor complicated by a touch of dried berries. Still rather youthfully tight, finishing with substantial dusty tannins and lingering perfume."

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Issue #168, May/June 2013), 89 pts

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