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.
The most likely source of the “mint” character could be attributed to the airborne transfer from the Eucalyptus trees, which border this specific Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard, to the grape berries. It is believed that the berries outer wax layer could adsorb Eucalyptol, a compound responsible for the aroma, released into the air by the trees. It subsequently becomes dissolved during the fermentation process, which takes place on the skins, inevitably giving the wine a “minty” character unique to this vineyard.
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Producer
Critics Ratings
‘Fans of The Mint - so-called because of the eucalyptus trees that surround the vineyard - should buy this, the penultimate vintage of the wine, before the vines were replanted. It certainly lives up to its name in 2013, with minty notes balanced by fine but sturdy tannins, stylish oak and small berry, cassis-scented concentration. Drink: 2016-25.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2016, 94/100
‘The 2013 The Mint Cabernet Stellenbosch undergoes a gentle extraction, 40% aged in new French oak for 18 months. Certainly you get that strong minty scent on the nose (I was wary of any subliminal suggestion at the time!). The palate is rounded and generous on the entry, fine acidity with that mint theme continuing where the aromatics left off, joined by clove and bay leaf right on the finish. Enjoy this over the next four or five years.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 90/100 (Apr 2017)
‘Signature mint, like mint crisp chocolate, 2013 shows plush berries and a streamlined tannin backbone to keep it in prime condition for years. But it's hard to resist now.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2018, 4*
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