The KEERMONT TERRASSE white blend derives its name from the terraced vineyards on Keermont. The backbone of this blend is Chenin Blanc from a 48 year old un-irrigated vineyard called 'Riverside' and this is complimented by Chenin from two younger vineyards and varying fractions of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier.
A polished light yellow gold color, this wine has a bouquet of citrus blossom with hazelnut, lemon grass and butterscotch undertones. The wine has a soft sweet entry with a racy linear acidity. Ripe citrus and stone fruit flavors evolve into a lovely lingering dry earthy finish. This is a textured white wine with layers of flavor.
"Terrasse is a seamless, skilfully blended cuvée of Chenin Blanc with 54% Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier and Marsanne. Barrel-fermented and aged in older oak, it's floral, spicy and intense, marrying citrus, pear and clementine flavours and a touch of tannic grip. 2023-28"
- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2023 Report), 93 pts
"Chenin Blanc is the dominant grape in the 2020 Terrasse, with the remaining 64% made up of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne and a splash of Viognier. Leesy, grippy and textured, with impressive concentration, subtle oak, fresh bread, pear and white peach flavours and a baking spice finish. 2022-27"
- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2022 Report), 92 pts
"The 2020 Terrasse contains much less Chenin Blanc than the following vintage due to flowering and snout beetles. It has a more generous nose than the 2021 with orange blossom and beeswax aromas, vibrant and quite intense. The palate is well balanced with a waxy texture on the opening thanks to the white Rhône varieties, nicely poised with a linear
finish. Another excellent Terrasse. - Neal Martin"- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (September 2022), 90 pts
"The 2019 Terrasse shows a little more intensity on the nose compared to the previous vintage, and perhaps just a bit more clarity and delineation. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and more salinity than the 2018, revealing orange peel and mango toward the edgy, persistent finish. This is a killer white blend from Keermont. - Neal Martin"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2021), 94 pts
"Like the 2018 release, the 2019 is Chenin Blanc-dominated but complemented by Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and a pinch of Roussanne and Marsanne. Partial skin contact adds some tannic nuances to the citrus, pear and apricot palate. The finish is tangy and refreshing. 2022-26"
- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2021 Report), 93 pts
"Sliced apples, pears, grapefruit pith and white pepper on the nose. Some dried jasmine, too. Medium-to full-bodied with a textured, spicy and mineral palate. Excellent focus. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (January 2022), 92 pts
"From South Africa’s coastal region on the Western Cape, are the terraced vineyards of Chenin Blanc (39%), Sauvignon Blanc (34%) and Chardonnay (13%) on Keermont. The wine imparts a generous entry of peach nectar, honeyed tangerine, ginger root, and white flowers. Sumptuous notes of butterscotch, reined in by a fine acidity."
- The Tasting Panel (November/December 2021), 93 pts
"The 2018 Terrasse comes across surprisingly closed on the nose compared with the 2019, needing coaxing to reveal the pressed flower, wax resin and flinty aromas. The palate is fresh on the entry with flavors of tangerine peel and satsuma, and quite edgy thanks to the fine bead of acidity. Touches of praline appear toward the finish. This is a lovely white blend from Alex Starey. - Neal Martin"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2021), 92 pts
"Alex Starey is better known for his reds than his whites, but this cuvée of Chenin Blanc with 45% Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne (the last two included for the first time) is wonderful too. Very much a southern Rhône style, it's savoury and herbal, with notes of honeysuckle, stone fruit and citrus, deftly framed by oak. 2020-24"
- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2020 Report), 94 pts
"The terraced, dry-farmed vineyards at Keermont inspired the name of this marvelous Chenin Blanc-based blend (39%) with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Viognier. Fermented in French oak and rested on the lees for 12 months, it's layered with floral notes of buttercup as well as vanilla and melon. A dollop of pineapple and lime softens the high acidity and lifts up the wine's savory qualities, highlighted by its sleek, salty mouthfeel."
- The Tasting Panel (March 2021, 93 pts
"The 2017 White Blend Terrasse is a blend of 53% Chenin Blanc, 20% Sauvignon Blanc and 13% Chardonnay, with the balance a blend of Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. It has a citric nose with a mineral edge that gives aromas of lemon blossoms and white spices. The palate is lively with a rich texture and structured mouthfeel, with a soft, spicy finish that lingers with fresh citrus and good mineral tension. 13,919 bottles were made, which will be released in December of 2019. At this price point, you can purchase a few bottles for your cellar. - Anthony Mueller"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 91 pts
Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse
"Always a crowd pleaser, the Terrasse shows very appealing white stone fruit, lemon curd and floral scents. Softly textured with good backbone and firm acidity complementing riper stone fruit and citrus flavors. A blend of 39% Chenin Blanc, 34% Sauvignon blanc, 14% Viognier and 13% Chardonnay fermented and aged in used 500L barrels for 12 months. Lees stirred only during fermentation then left to sit on the lees.13% alc."
- International Wine Review (January 2019), 91 pts
Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse
"The 2016 Keermont Terrasse underwent a little skin contact and was barrel-fermented in 225- and 500-liter barrels with around 10% new oak for 12 months. It has a fresh bouquet of white peach, honeysuckle and a touch of melted candle wax. The palate is well balanced, considering that Alex Starey said it was the first vintage that endured drought problems (hence the higher percentage of Sauvignon Blanc), offering grass clipping, gooseberry and nettle toward the finish. Very fine. - Neal Martin"
- Vinous (August 28th 2018), 90 pts
Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse
"The 2015 White Blend Terrasse comprises 56% Chenin Blanc, 17% Viognier, 14% Sauvignon Blanc and 13% Chardonnay, raised for 12 months in French oak. It has quite an aromatic bouquet of white peach, freshly sliced grapefruit and a touch of lychee, all well defined and vivacious. The palate is very well balanced with a slightly resinous, waxy opening, the Viognier here making its presence felt. There is a pleasant salinity on the finish with a gorgeous brightness and tension. This is a strong follow-up to the outstanding 2014.- Neal Martin"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue #230, April 28th 2017), 93 pts
Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse
"The Viognier component of this Chenin Blanc-based blend with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay was increased to 17% in 2015, but it was also picked earlier to retain acidity. The result is a very harmonious cuvee: rose water, aniseed, tangerine, some stone fruit and a tangy, refreshing finish. 2017-21"
- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2017 Special Report), 93 pts
Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse
"This bristles with quinine, mirabelle plum, blanched almond and lemon pith notes, while crackling acidity runs underneath. Rich melon and yellow apple details fill in through the finish, adding bass to match the treble. Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2019. 625 cases made.–JM"
- Wine Spectator (May 31st 2017), 92 pts
Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse
"Bright silver-yellow. Reticent aromas of peach, citrus peel and anise, with a touch of floral character. Supple and fairly rich in the mouth, but doesn't quite come alive today. Lacks the acidity for real cut and lift. Finishes dry and firm, though.- Stephen Tanzer"
- Vinous (May 2017), 89 pts
Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse
"Showing a little more bite and freshness than the richer, softer 2013 did at the same stage, this assemblage of Chenin Blanc with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier is a floral, savoury, seamless blend with nuanced oak undertones, nutmeg spice, leesy texture and remarkable length. Drink: 2016-19"
- Tim Atkin (September 2016), 94 pts
Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse
"Keermont's 2014 White Blend Terrasse is 65% Chenin Blanc, 13% Chardonnay, 17% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Viognier, fermented in French oak barrels and matured for 12 months on the lees, with a small part in stainless steel. Here we have a different set of aromatics to the 2010 and 2011. It is more tensile than I recollect previous vintages at this stage - orange blossom, touch of tangerine and honeysuckle. The palate is class, pure class. Winemaker Alex Starey has nailed the acidity here and imparted wonderful tension and poise. This is one of the purest "Terrasse" that I have encountered at this earlier stage and it will be a job to see how this develops in bottle. - Neal Martin"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (November 2015), 93 pts
Go To Keermont White Blend Terrasse
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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