KYSELA PERE ET FILS, LTD.

"The 2019 Terrasse shows a little more intensity on the nose compared to the previous vintage, and perhaps just a bit more clarity and delineation. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and more salinity than the 2018, revealing orange peel and mango toward the edgy, persistent finish. This is a killer white blend from Keermont. - Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2021), 94 pts

"From South Africa’s coastal region on the Western Cape, are the terraced vineyards of Chenin Blanc (39%), Sauvignon Blanc (34%) and Chardonnay (13%) on Keermont. The wine imparts a generous entry of peach nectar, honeyed tangerine, ginger root, and white flowers. Sumptuous notes of butterscotch, reined in by a fine acidity."

- The Tasting Panel (November/December 2021), 93 pts

"The 2018 Terrasse comes across surprisingly closed on the nose compared with the 2019, needing coaxing to reveal the pressed flower, wax resin and flinty aromas. The palate is fresh on the entry with flavors of tangerine peel and satsuma, and quite edgy thanks to the fine bead of acidity. Touches of praline appear toward the finish. This is a lovely white blend from Alex Starey. - Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2021), 92 pts

"Alex Starey is better known for his reds than his whites, but this cuvée of Chenin Blanc with 45% Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne (the last two included for the first time) is wonderful too. Very much a southern Rhône style, it's savoury and herbal, with notes of honeysuckle, stone fruit and citrus, deftly framed by oak. 2020-24"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2020 Report), 94 pts

"The terraced, dry-farmed vineyards at Keermont inspired the name of this marvelous Chenin Blanc-based blend (39%) with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Viognier. Fermented in French oak and rested on the lees for 12 months, it's layered with floral notes of buttercup as well as vanilla and melon. A dollop of pineapple and lime softens the high acidity and lifts up the wine's savory qualities, highlighted by its sleek, salty mouthfeel."

- The Tasting Panel (March 2021, 93 pts

"The 2017 White Blend Terrasse is a blend of 53% Chenin Blanc, 20% Sauvignon Blanc and 13% Chardonnay, with the balance a blend of Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. It has a citric nose with a mineral edge that gives aromas of lemon blossoms and white spices. The palate is lively with a rich texture and structured mouthfeel, with a soft, spicy finish that lingers with fresh citrus and good mineral tension. 13,919 bottles were made, which will be released in December of 2019. At this price point, you can purchase a few bottles for your cellar. - Anthony Mueller"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 91 pts

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse

"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

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse

"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

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse

"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.- Neal Martin"

- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue #230, April 28th 2017), 93 pts

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse

"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

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse

 

- Wine Enthusiast (March 2018), 93 pts - Editors' Choice

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse

"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

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse

"Bright silver-yellow. Reticent aromas of peach, citrus peel and anise, with a touch of floral character. Supple and fairly rich in the mouth, but doesn't quite come alive today. Lacks the acidity for real cut and lift. Finishes dry and firm, though.- Stephen Tanzer"

- Vinous (May 2017), 89 pts

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse

"Showing a little more bite and freshness than the richer, softer 2013 did at the same stage, this assemblage of Chenin Blanc with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier is a floral, savoury, seamless blend with nuanced oak undertones, nutmeg spice, leesy texture and remarkable length. Drink: 2016-19"

- Tim Atkin (September 2016), 94 pts

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse

"Keermont's 2014 White Blend Terrasse is 65% Chenin Blanc, 13% Chardonnay, 17% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Viognier, fermented in French oak barrels and matured for 12 months on the lees, with a small part in stainless steel. Here we have a different set of aromatics to the 2010 and 2011. It is more tensile than I recollect previous vintages at this stage - orange blossom, touch of tangerine and honeysuckle. The palate is class, pure class. Winemaker Alex Starey has nailed the acidity here and imparted wonderful tension and poise. This is one of the purest "Terrasse" that I have encountered at this earlier stage and it will be a job to see how this develops in bottle. - Neal Martin"

- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (November 2015), 93 pts

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse

"Offers a ripe feel, with creamed melon, lemon shortbread and white ginger notes forming the core. Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier. Drink now through 2018.—J.M."

- Wine Spectator's Insider (June 25th 2016), 90 pts

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse

"This blend is based on chenin blanc (65 percent, the majority of it planted in 1971) with sauvignon, chardonnay and viognier adding dimension. It’s solidly built, most of it fermented and aged in older oak, but the wine is not overtly phenolic, with clean pear-like flavor on the surface and a gravelly tension underneath. Notes of beeswax bring it back to chenin, the flavors lingering and tightly focused. Pour it with a lemony roast chicken."
- Wine & Spirits Magazine (June 2016), 90 pts

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse

"Alex Starey's white blend is a four-way assemblage between mostly Chenin, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, with a splash of Viognier for perfume. Wild yeast fermented in old oak, it's a complex, savoury white with some grape skin tannins, pithy acidity, apple and stone fruit flavours and a touch of glycerol sweetness. Drink: 2014-17"
- Tim Atkin Master Wine (August 2014), 94 pts

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse

"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. - NM"

eRobertParker.com (Issue# 209, October 2013), 90 pts

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse

"The 2011 White Blend Terrasse is 60% Chenin Blanc, 20% Chardonnay and for the first time, 15% Sauvignon Blanc from an old block on the farm with a little barrel ferment, plus 5% Viognier. As usual it is raised in used barrels. It displays wonderful precision on the nose with subtle notes of pink grapefruit, dew-speckled pear, peach and a touch of lanolin. It has great clarity on the entry, the oak well defined with great weight and a smooth harmonious orange zest and dried apricot tinged finish. This is one classy Stellenbosch white to cherish. Drink now-2018. 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 (Neal Martin, Issue# 204, December 2012), 93 pts

Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse