The upper Blaauwklippen Valley could just be Stellenbosch’s new trump card. Here, a vein of fine Syrah runs from Waterford and Kleinood, through to Keermont and De Trafford at the top of the valley. De Trafford recently received Platter Wine of the Year for their Blueprint 2012, as well as the highest rating ever from Wine Spectator (96/100) for their Syrah 393 2011. Both are unfortunately sold out.

While de Trafford favours a rich flamboyant style, next-door Keermont masters the more classic style in 2012. In fact, Keermont’s wines are ‘so good that they make you wonder why you ever lavished all that money on expensive northern Rhones!’ says Neal Martin of the Wine Advocate.

The 2012 Keermont Syrah is their finest yet, achieving top scores at every tasting. It was recently placed just behind Chave and Mullineux out of 37 of the world’s top Syrahs by Christian Eedes .

Winemaker Alex Starey also produced a few barrels of single-vineyard Syrahs in the fine 2012 vintage from either side of the valley. Differing from Neal Martin, we prefer the Steepside, which shows cooler, more refined Northern-Rhône notes. Topside is slightly riper and richer with darker fruit. Alex’s single-vineyard Riverside Chenin comes from the oldest vines on the farm, planted in 1971. It is remarkably rich, pure and honest, deserving of more than 89 points!

Modest pricing for such incredible wines makes these a must for every Syrah lover. Could Keermont be the new Stellenbosch benchmark?

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P.S. Young Guns 5 is finally here! South Africa’s craziest and most exciting tastings will be held on the 24th, 25th and 26th of June in Cape Town, Johannesburg and – for the first time – Durban. We will not be taking bookings by email this year, so please visit our website for full details and buy your tickets online.

Tasting notes

Keermont Syrah 2012  – R 195
The 2012 Keermont Syrah is a blend of the Steepside Syrah and Topside Syrah, augmented by two barrels of Mourvedre that comes from the former. It spends 20 months in French oak of which just 5% is new. It has a well-defined, feminine, floral bouquet with black cherries, cassis and crushed-violet scents that blossoms in the glass. The palate is very well-defined with crisp acidity and a beautifully poised finish that is focused and sensual. This is another outstanding wine from Alex Starey. – Neal Martin, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Keermont Steepside Syrah 2012  – R 375
The 2012 Steepside Syrah owes its names to the vines planted on the vertiginous slopes of the Helderberg Mountain at an elevation of around 300 meters. A special selection is made from small parcels and the wine is fermented in open-top fermenters before maturation in used French barrels for 20 months. It has a very precise bouquet with complex wild strawberry, raspberry and mineral notes that are tightly wound at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, crisp acidity and a broody but compelling finish that will need a couple of years to unfold. Enjoy this Cornas-style Syrah from 2016. – Neal Martin, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Keermont Topside Syrah 2012  – R 375
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). – Neal Martin, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Riverside Chenin Blanc 2013  – R 265
The 2013 Riverside Chenin Blanc comes from the oldest vines on the farm, planted back in 1971 on the banks of the Blaauklippen River. It spends 12 months in barrels on the lees and is bottled without filtration. It expresses with both clarity and gusto, adorned with attractive lemon curd and dried-honey scents that are tightly controlled. The palate is well-balanced with a slightly honeyed texture and a subtle touch of white pepper toward the finish that is very harmonious. This is a lovely Chenin Blanc – very elegant. – Neal Martin, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

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