Description
A polished light yellow gold colour, this wine has a complex bouquet of spicy citrus and stone fruit with hints of orange blossom, hazelnut, crushed oyster shell and butterscotch. On entry, the wine has a full soft palate. Subtle fruit flavours of peach, litchi and apricot are complemented by hints of sweet spice and vanilla. There is good weight on the midpalate and a light texture. Crunchy apple acidity holds the wine together into a lingering, succulent finish.
Terrasse is our barrel-fermented white blend which derives its name from the terraced vineyards leading up the mountains on the estate. We have six different white wine varieties planted on these terraces, and every year we make up a unique blend of them. The base is Chenin blanc from three distinctive vineyards – our old vine Riverside block planted in 1971, the dryland bush vine Bobbejaan Wingerd (Baboon Vineyard), and the trellised Low Road vineyard. The other varieties add complexity and create a more complete wine. Chardonnay gives a little more weight on the palate, Sauvignon blanc brings fresh acidity, and the drop of Viognier provides this vintage with a slight spicy, aromatic lift.
All grapes used in producing our wines are grown on Keermont Vineyards. The farm is situated at the upper reaches of the Blaauwklippen Valley above Stellenbosch. Most of the vineyards grow in deep red clay rich soil derived from sandstone and granite and are surrounded by indigenous mountain vegetation. Small batches of grapes are specifically selected according to ripeness, harvested by hand and vinified separately. White wines are fermented by indigenous yeast in seasoned French oak barrels and then spend a further 12 months maturing on the lees. Bottling is carried out by hand without filtration.
