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Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc
Keermont Vineyards
South Africa - Western Cape - Coastal Region - Stellenbosch

The Keermont Single Vineyard Series was created to high light the superb quality and individual character of the wines produced from certain vineyard parcels on the farm. These parcels have been registered as Single Vineyards with the South African Wine Industry Information & Systems NPC (SAWIS) and wines labelled as such may not contain wine made from any other vineyard. The production of each wine is therefore very limited. 

High up on the west facing slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain, this is a 1.8Ha parcel of Cabernet Franc planted in 2006. At an elevation of 380m above sea level and surrounded by mountain 'fynbos', this block is exposed to many natural elements resulting in very low yields. The soil on Pondokrug is red granitic loam with a high clay content, which sustains the vines during the summer months. 

Pondokrug - a ridge (rug) deriving its name from a shepherds hut (Pondok).

This wine has a pink purple hue. Typical herbal aromas are complimented by strawberries and red candy. The palate is intense with bright red fruit flavors complimented by hints of sherbet, red peppers and black currant. The tannin structure is tight and grippy and a strong central acid core gives the wine a long powerful dry finish.

Specifications
Appellation
Coastal Region - Stellenbosch
Wine Type
Red
Varietal(s)
100% Cabernet Franc
Soil type
red granite loam with high clay content
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 20 months maturing in seasoned French oak barrels before being bottled by hand without filtration.
Pairings

Red meat, pasta and pizza.

Reviews and News

2018 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 94 PTS - TA

2018 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 94 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250""I love Cabernet Franc", says Alex Starey, and you can see why when he produces wines that are as good as this single vineyard expression from Stellenbosch Mountain. Perfumed, stylish and well crafted, it has the elegance and precision of its cooler site, good underlying structure and classic black cherry, bay leaf and pencil shaving notes. 2024-30"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2023 Report), 94 pts

 

2017 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 94 PTS - TA

2017 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 94 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Pondokrug sits on the cooler side of the valley and is located on water-retaining clay soils, this is a site that's “hammered by the wind and the baboons", according to Alex Starey. Fermented with 10% whole bunches, this is textured, floral and refined, with lovely oregano and dill aromas, granular tannins and racy black fruit. 2023-30"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2022 Report), 94 pts

 

2017 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 90 PTS - WE

2017 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 90 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 90 pts

 

 

- Wine Enthusiast (October 2023), 90 pts

 

2017 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 90 PTS - VINOUS

2017 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 90 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"The 2017 Cabernet Franc Single Vineyard Series Pondokrug, seasoned in oak barrels for 20 months, has a much more successful nose than the Merlot with vivid brambly red fruit, dried violets and light eucalyptus scents. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy on the entry with perhaps less weight and grip than the 2016, yet very persistent
and elegant on the finish. Very fine. - Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (September 2022), 90 pts

 

2016 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 94 PTS - TA

2016 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 94 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"One of the younger wines in the Keermont portfolio - it was first made as recently as 2014 - this is at the firmer end of the Cabernet Franc spectrum, which is why Alex Starey says it needs "a week in a decanter to open up properly". Floral, dense and focused, it has stylish oak, layers of cut grass and damson fruit and a fresh finish. 2022-28"

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

 

2015 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 93 PTS - IWR

2015 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 93 PTS - IWR

i winereview logo"Sourced from the top two terraces of the vineyard up near the reservoir, this single parcel Cabernet Franc reveals good typicity and impressive depth of plum and dark cherry fruit. Creamy, lush texture on a full bodied palate with fine firm tannins. Matured 20 months in used French oak. The name means hut (pondok) on the ridge (rug) in Afrikaans."

- International Wine Review (January 2019), 93 pts

Go To Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc

 

2015 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 91 PTS - VINOUS

2015 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 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"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (August 2018), 91 pts

Go To Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc

 

2015 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 90 PTS - WE

2015 Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc - 90 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 90 pts

 "There's a sweet overlay to the bouquet of this wine, offered in waves of ripe red plum and cherry that are hit by a dusting of sweet oak and vanilla. It just hits medium in weight and is overall quite delicate in structure, with bright acidity and soft tannins that yield a refreshing and lightly structured texture and impression. Hints of spiced plum linger on the close. Drink now. - LAUREN BUZZEO"

 - Wine Enthusiast (September 2021), 90 pts

 

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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