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Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon
Keermont Vineyards
South Africa - Western Cape - Coastal Region - Stellenbosch

Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon grows in Keermont's Cottage Lane Vineyard on the mid-slopes of the Helderberg. This vineyard is situated on the crest of a ridge (320m above sea level) so has aspects ranging from East through North to West. It is very exposed resulting in small vines with low yields. This has allowed to make a relatively fine grained Cabernet, but the clay soils translate to a wine with power, tension and fresh acidity. They blend in a couple of barrels of other varieties to add to the complexity of flavor and tannin structure.

All grapes used in producing the wines are grown on Keermont Vineyards. Most of the vineyard parcels grow on deep red clay rich soil derived from sandstone and granite and are surrounded by indigenous ‘fynbos’ vegetation. The vineyards are planted on steep mid-slopes high up in the valley between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountain ranges. Aspects vary from North East through North to West facing between 250 and 400 meters above sea level.

Dark ruby red in color, this is quite a serious vintage with a complex bouquet of ripe red berry fruit, cedarwood, and typical ‘fynbos’ flowers. The palate is full bodied, but gentle. Tannin structure is full and dense and coats the palate while the natural acidity keeps the ripe fruit in check. Savory notes of tomato paste and cloves add character to the bright red strawberry and cassis flavors which linger into a long, tight finish. Drink 2020 – 2035.

Specifications
Appellation
Coastal Region - Stellenbosch
Wine Type
Red
Varietal(s)
86% Cabernet Sauvignon; 3% Malbec; 11% Cabernet Franc (2017)
Soil type
deep red clay
Vinification
Small parcels 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 27 months maturing in 225 Litre French oak barrels (5% new oak) before being bottled by hand without filtration. Aged 9 months in bottle before release.
Pairings

Red meat, pasta and pizza.

Reviews and News

2020 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 PTS - TA

2020 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Something of a crowd pleaser from Alex Starey, this is a comparatively forward cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. Supple, ripe and perfumed, it combines fynbos and dried herb aromas, fig and mulberry flavours, supple tannins and plenty of body and alcohol. 2023-29"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2023 Report), 91 pts

 

2018 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 PTS - WE

2018 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 91 pts

"This juicy Cabernet is ripe in aromas and multi-layered on the palate. Aged 16 months in oak barrels, it offers notes of blackberry, blueberry, cinnamon, bay leaf and black olive. Firm tannins and matching acidity elevate the flavors. - Jesica Vargas"

- Wine Enthusiast (October 2023), 91 pts

 

2018 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 PTS - TA

2018 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"The Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the north-facing, low-yielding Cottage Lane Block and is a serious, somewhat shuttered red with lots of grip, dense damson and blackcurrant fruit, subtle wood and a herbal undertone from 10% Cabernet Franc. 2022-28"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2021 Report), 91 pts

 

2018 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 90 PTS - VINOUS

2018 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 90 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is well defined on the nose, scents of blackberry, mint and touches of fennel all gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a softer opening than I expected. There’s mainly red fruit at play here, fleshy and generous, with a touch of pepperiness on the finish. Fine, but I think this year it is no better than the Merlot. - Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2021), 90 pts

 

2017 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 95 PTS - TP

2017 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 95 PTS - TP

tasting panel logo"The best Cab Sauvignon we have tasted from South Africa (blended in with 7% Malbec and 6% Cab Franc). Grown in the Cottage Lane Vineyard on the crest of a ridge over one thousand feet above sea level, its small vines produce low yields. Concentrated, with tight-fisted tannins, the expressive flavors of espresso, dried violets, and blackberry are an art form. Meaty textured, with a lush middle and end."

- The Tasting Panel (November/December 2021), 95 pts

 

2017 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 PTS - TA

2017 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Alex Starey's Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a single vineyard called Cottage Lane, located on the crest of a hill at 350 metres. Blended with 11% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec, this is scented, serious and concentrated, all cassis and blood orange flavours with dense tannins, stylish wood and the balance and definition of the 2017 vintage. 2022-29"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2020 Report), 93 pts

 

2016 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 95 PTS - VINOUS

2016 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 95 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 7% Malbec and 6% Cabernet Franc and spent 22 months in seasoned French oak. It has a classy bouquet of expressive red berry fruit, cedar and light undergrowth aromas that leans toward the Left Bank. The palate is medium-bodied with great sapidity right from the start. The tannins are extremely fine here, and the finish fans out gloriously with just enough bite to tempt you back for another sip. This is an outstanding Cabernet from winemaker Alex Starey. - Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2019), 95 pts

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2016 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 89 PTS - WA

2016 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 89 PTS - WA

wa"The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 7% Malbec and 6% Cabernet Franc. On the nose, the wine has classic Cabernet Sauvignon aromas with hints of delicately spiced herbs, black and red fruits and a soft mineral edge. The medium-bodied palate is clean with an elegant core of rich red and black fruits with a subtle spice note and a decently lingering, pencil shaving-laced finish. 8,133 bottles were made. - Anthony Mueller"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 89 pts

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2015 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 PTS - WE

2015 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 93 pts"Bright and spicy up top, this leads with notes of kirsch and crème de cassis that are complemented by sweet spice, dried purple florals and raspberry leaf. The palate is smooth and satiny at first, with rich fruit tones leading the experience, while firm yet fine tannins enter on the midpalate and carry through with moderate intensity through the earthy, sweet-spiced finish. - Lauren BUZZEO"

- Wine Enthusiast (September 2020), 93 pts

 

2015 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 PTS - TA

2015 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Keermont isn’t always associated with Cabernet Sauvignon - it’s seen as Syrah Central - but this single vineyard bottling is consistently impressive. Elegant, sinewy and focused, it has filigree tannins and a nice floral lift underpinned by fine tannins. 2019-25"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2018 Report), 93 pts

 

2015 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 PTS - VINOUS

2015 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"The 2015 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Cottage Lane Vineyard, located at 300 meters above sea level. It was picked in small batches that underwent strict sorting and spent two to three weeks on the skins. It then matured for 22 months in 225-liter French oak barrels (10% to 15% new) before being bottled by hand without filtration. It has a tightly wound bouquet at first, presenting blackberry, bilberry, cedar and light damp undergrowth scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and mint- and cedar-tinged black fruit on the entry, building toward a nicely structured, quite sappy finish. It doesn’t quite deliver the panache of its Syrah counterpart, but it is a fine Cabernet Sauvignon all the same. - Neal Martin"

- Vinous (August 29th 2018), 91 pts

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2015 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 PTS - IWR

2015 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 PTS - IWR

i winereview logo"Medium dark red. Finely perfumed of red and black currants with hints of dried spices. Silky mouth feel with impressive intensity of balanced fruit, cedar hints and lively acidity. More finesse than power in this elegantly styled wine. Sourced from a single, exposed parcel on top of the ridge with low yields. 14.5% alc."

- International Wine Review (January 2019), 91 pts

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2015 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 90+ PTS - WA

2015 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 90+ PTS - WA

wa"The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is open on the nose with a dusty blackberry and soft, ripe yet rustic core, having been blended with 12% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc. The full-bodied palate is structured and focused and it shows the vintage character well, with a broad, bold focus of black fruits, a rustic rigidity typical of Stellenbosch and elegant, soft garden herbs notes. The finish is structured and long. 4,773 bottles were made, bottled unfiltered and fermented using indigenous yeast. - Anthony Mueller"

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

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2014 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 PTS - TA

2014 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"This is the first vintage of this varietal Cabernet, grown on red clay loam soils at 300 metres. The vines are still quite young, but it’s a superb début, with subdued oak, savoury, perfumed top notes, fine-grained tannins and pure cassis and wild herb flavours. One to watch. 2019-25."

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2017 Special Report), 93 pts

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2014 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 PTS - WA

2014 Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 PTS - WA

wa91"The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is a new addition to the Keermont range. It comes from a single, low-yielding block, although it will not be labelled as such, from loamy soils around 300 meters above sea level. Most of the maturation is in 225-liter barrels with around 20% new oak. It has a straightforward bouquet, perhaps not quite as personality-driven as the Cabernet Franc at the moment, but developing pleasing graphite/pencil box scents with time. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, good body and presence in the mouth with that graphite theme continuing from the aromatics. Well balanced and harmonious towards the finish, I would afford this a couple of years in bottle to develop more varietal character. - Neal Martin"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #230, April 2017), 91 pts

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Producer Information: Keermont Vineyards

Keermont Vineyards is a family-owned farm located in a back valley outside of Stellenbosch, ZA. The name comes from Keerweder, which is the name of the former farm. A keerweder ...
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