Made from a blend of 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 14% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot. The grapes are sourced from some of the finest vineyards in the Stellenbosch area including the slopes of the Helderberg, Stellenbosch Mountain, Simonsberg and the Polkadraai area. An understanding of this special terroir, meticulous site selection and attention to detail in the vineyards is crucial to ensure that the very best quality grapes are brought into the cellar. Each batch of grapes has been carefully selected for a specific aromatic profile, tannin structure and texture to contribute to the harmonious complexity of the First Verse. Grapes were fermented on the skins to extract the grape flavours, colour and tannins. Thereafter the wine was matured in French oak barrels for 19 months, blended and bottled. Bottled at 15%. (Bottle size 750ml)
Nose: Pronounced nose with dark red fruits, black berry, cassis and plums. Subtle whiffs of black tea, dried herbs and tobacco.
Palate: On entry, notes of blackberries, cherries and mulberries. Mid-palate has hints of spice, pencil shavings and dried herbs, with firm, fine powdery tannins.
Finish: Long finish with lingering notes of plums and cassis.
The Keet Wines cellar is located in South Africa’s Stellenbosch wine region, on the Van Biljon’s farm near De Toren. Chris Keet started Keet Wines in 2008, following a 15 year stint at Cordoba wines, up against the slopes of the Helderberg, having made and perfected the beautiful, Cabernet Franc dominant Cordoba Crescendo. Chris Keet is a somewhat elusive figure in the wine industry, although is part of the foundation of some of the biggest and most successful brands in South Africa today. With the incredible trajectory of his First Verse - the only wine in the Keet Wines portfolio - he has quickly been catapulted into the limelight. Chris is both viticulturist AND winemaker. His fundamental understanding of both areas led him to the belief that the things winemakers had been ‘tweaking’ in the cellar, could easily be tweaked in the vineyard. It is Chris’ philosophy that the art of viticulture and winemaking lies in the focus, attention to detail and precision nurturing of vine and wine.
