Prestigious Family Wineries
Live Virtual Auction, 23 July 2023
Prestigious family wineries | Thelema Mountain Vineyards, Raats Family Wines and Savage Wines
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.
Provenance
Producer
Critics Ratings
‘Concentrated mouthful of ripe black fruit, 2011 is fresh and supple, well integrated tannins giving pleasing gritty grip. Fraction shorter than stellar 2010 (4.5 stars, 92 points) but lots to like.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2016, 4*
‘Blended with a generous dollop of 15% Petit Verdot, the 2011 Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon has a fresh, slightly minty blackberry and red plum-scented bouquet with a touch of cedar and tobacco coming through. The palate is medium-bodied with a tobacco-tinged entry. I like the acidity here, nice and fresh, quite linear in the mouth with a welcome graphite tinged on the finish that has moderate length. Enjoy this over the next 5-7 years.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 91/100 (Nov 2015)
‘Mature and suave, with warm espresso and singed tobacco notes peeling out from the core of lightly mulled currant and blackberry fruit. Lingering black tea and charcoal accents score the finish. Still has legs. Drink now through 2018.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 91/100 (May 2016)
‘Sourced from the estate’s best blocks at around 400 metres, this contains 8% Petit Verdot for added colour and muscle. It’s a bold, strapping wine that still has a lot of ageing potential, with plenty of dense black-fruited flavours and structure. Drink: 2015-20’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 92/100
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