South African & International Fine Wine
Live Auction, 14 September 2019
Session Two
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
Straddled between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains, with less than 30 hectares of scattered high-altitude vineyards, Keermont was started by the Wraith family in 2003 and was formed by combining 2 adjacent farms. Relaxed yet quality-focused Alex Starey has been in charge of the wines since redevelopment and planting in 2005, producing the maiden 2007.
The 2011 vintage is a blend of 3 different Syrah vineyards (Topside, Steepside and Sweetwater).
Provenance
Producer
Critics Ratings
‘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.
I first visited Keermont back in 2011, I hooked up with Alex Starey at the winery in the Blaauwklippen Valley. I have been a fan ever since. Mark and Monica Wraith’s 27-hectare vineyard located within their 155-hectare estate is predominantly devoted to Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon and the Keermont proprietary wine debuting with the 2007. It has since been joined by a white Chenin Blanc and most recently, a sweet wine that I am eager to try myself. This is one of the new breed of South African producers that is moving the country forward with accomplished, refined expressions of Stellenbosch wine, so good that they make you wonder why you ever lavished all that money on expensive northern Rhones. If you want to see the new South Africa and catch a glimpse of what the future beholds, then look no further than Keermont.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (October 2013), 91/100
‘A ripe, lush style, with lots of layered fig sauce, crushed plum and boysenberry confiture flavors, intertwined with hints of warm cocoa, singed anise and fruitcake. Rock-solid... 285 cases made.’ – Wine Spectator (December 2014), 90/100