Keet First Verse 2020

Chris Keet is the man who envisaged and brought about the legendary Cape Bordeaux red blend known as Cordoba Crescendo in the 1990s and early 2000s. His own take on a Cape Bordeaux known as First Verse has been around since the 2009 vintage and it has been fascinating to watch it evolve stylistically. Initial releases had the elegance reminiscent of Crescendo but then the wine seemed to come more and more powerful, perhaps even overwrought – both the 2017 and 2018 vintages carried an alcohol of 15%.

The newly released 2020, however, is a triumph. A blend of 29% Cabernet Franc, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 16% Petit Verdot and 10% Malbec sourced from across Stellenbosch district, it was matured for 18 months in barrel, 15% new.