The Topside Syrah vineyard is situated high up on the West facing mid-slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain range (Elevation 350m). It was planted in 2006 on rocky soils consisting of sandstone and granite, weathered from the peaks above. Vines are trellised and run with the contour in a North South direction. The elevation, soil and aspect all contribute to spicy character and fine tannin structure of this wine.
This is an intense wine with a bright scarlet color. Pure grapey aromas are complimented by red spices, herbs and lavender. The palate has a gentle entry with subtle spicy fruit flavors filling the mid palate. The tight structure gives the wine a succulent dry finish with lingering flavors of red fruit, anise, liquorice and a mineral saltiness.
Game / Venison
"Syrah lovers could spend a long time discussing the relative merits of Alex Starey's single parcel Syrahs. I have a very slight preference for Topside in 2018, partly because its cooler terroir on Stellenbosch Mountain was well suited to the drought conditions of the vintage. Restrained, focused and built to age in bottle, it has sage and oregano perfume, savoury tannins, refreshing acidity and minerality and flavours of plum, raspberry, red cherry and tobacco leaf. 2025-32"
- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2023 Report), 97 pts
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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"The 2017 Syrah Single Vineyard Series Topside is slightly brighter and more vivid on the nose compared to the Steepside with red cherries, crushed strawberry and just a light dab of dark chocolate. The oak is neatly integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy opening, very well balanced with a judicious touch of white pepper that becomes more prominent on the finish. - Neal Martin"
"Aromas of red cherry, wet stone and crushed thyme. Medium-bodied with silky, slightly tight tannins. Subtle and nuanced, with nice transparency and clarity. Crunchy and lingering. Drink now."
"Unblended, the 2015 Topside Syrah is fresh and dusty on the nose with soft, black fruit expression and a fine, black-spice edge. The medium to full-bodied palate has a dusty, varietally correct expression with a soft grip of tannins and a mineral edge with sandy, black pepper tones. It finishes long with lingering, dusty mineral notes. The Topside vineyard is situated on a hill opposite the Steepside vineyard. 2,541 bottles were made."
A very freshly styled, peppery Syrah revealing plum, raspberry and fynbos aromas. Spicy red fruit and vibrant acidity show on the palate with fine, gripping tannins. Fermented in concrete and stainless steel and matured in mostly 500L neutral barrels for about 22 months. 13.5% alc."
"The 2014 Topside Syrah is back after missing 2013 after gusts of wind ruined the flowering that year. It is matured in French oak for 20 months, employing around 30% new oak. It conveys a sense of confidence on the nose with upfront blackcurrant, raspberry coulis and subtle touches of blueberry developing in the glass, the oak seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, crisp acidity, a little tight at first, although it develops more harmony with aeration. Moderate length, this is very fine (as usual) from winemaker Alex Starey. - Neal Martin"
"The 2012 Topside Syrah comes from west-facing slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountains at around 350-metres altitude on granite and sandstone soils. It is matured in 500-liter second-fill French oak for 20 months and bottled without filtration. it has a more exuberant bouquet compared to the Steepside, the fruit more sorbet-like and floral, with touches of candied orange peel and marmalade. The palate is succulent on the entry with great depth, supremely well-judged acidity and a structured finish that, like the Steepside, demands two or three years in bottle. Just 667 bottles produced (minus the one we drank, of course.)"
"(from vines planted on the rocky, west-facing slope of Stellenbosch Mountain in 2006; just a single used 500-liter barrel of this juice): Bright ruby-red. Scented, saline aromas of dark berries and crushed-rock minerality. Like liquid silk on the palate but with an urgent quality to its dark berry and flint flavors. Superb, slowly building finish shows firm, dusty tannins and piquant purple fruits and minerals. Comes across as sweeter than the Steepside Syrah but not better.- Stephen Tanzer"
