Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

‘Muscular yet elegant 5-way Bordeaux blend, cab & cab franc again leading the assembly in 2017. Brooding dark fruit is tailored by 19 months in French oak (just 10% new) in a perfectly balanced body, 15% alcohol well-integrated, persistent tannins taper out to a classic dry finish. Class of the vintage is on show here, too, trouncing even 2015 (4.5 stars, 94 pts).’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (97/100)

‘Chris Keet compares 2017 to 1997 as two "stand out vintages", when "all the stars aligned impeccably". He's certainly made the most of the year, fashioning another outstanding First Verse. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc based, with the remaining 31% made up of Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, this has a winning combination of power and restraint, with scented oak, smooth tannins and ripe blackberry, red berry and tobacco leaf notes. 2022-29’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 96/100

‘First Verse 2017 from Chris Keet is not what you might expect from the man who brought you that wine of legendary elegance in the shape of Cordoba Crescendo, this current release bearing an abv of 15% on the label! Consisting of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Cabernet Franc, 14% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot, it has attractive aromatics of red and black fruit, dried herbs and potpourri before a palate that is sweet, rich and broad with a plush texture. It’s certainly flavourful but you’d have to be a brave punter to think that this has the inherent structure to still be drinking well in 25 years’ time or so as those Crescendos still are…’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 90/100 (Jul 2020)