South African & International Fine Wine
Live Auction, 14 September 2019
Session One
About this Item
Thelema, the Greek word for ‘will’, was a charming dilapidated fruit farm until Gyles Webb came along and purchased the farm with the help of his wife’s family in 1983. Placed at the top of the Helshoogte Pass, Thelema is one of the highest and coolest estates in the area, its deep red soils make it ideal for premium quality wine grape production. At a time when the South African wine scene was focused on quantity rather than quality, Webb was a trailblazing pioneer on a mission to craft world-class wines. Construction began on the winery in 1987, and Thelema produced its first vintage in 1988. Winemaking since 2000 has been in the capable hands of Rudi Schultz, with Gyles's son Thomas involved in running the business.
Gyles Webb was Diner’s Club Winemaker of the Year in 1994 and 1996 and few wines of the 1990s have aged as well as Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon. 1998 was a terrific Stellenbosch vintage.
Provenance
Wine Cellar
Critics Ratings
‘Years ago established Cape cult status and style, as did Gyles Webb’s early mentor, Joe Heitz’s California cab in the 70s (earlier Thelemas’ hallmark minty whiffs tipped hat to above’s Rutherford profile). Now more harmonious (“huge amount of work in the vineyards on canopies to get proper ripeness”); always deeply plum-robed, intense brambly, cassis bouquet with complex mocha, fennel nuances. 98 (4*) with splash merlot, still shy, lurking potential with subtle cigarbox, plum, vanilla aromas and muscular, tense minerally blackcurrant fruit. Long, firm, chewy finish suggests min 2 yrs’ bottle ageing required. 14% alc. 18 months French oak, 40% new.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide (2000)
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