Prestigious Family Wineries
Live Virtual Auction, 23 July 2023
Prestigious family wineries | Thelema Mountain Vineyards, Raats Family Wines and Savage Wines
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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 mint-laced section of the traditional Cabernet Sauvignon has been produced separately since 2004 and has received a cult following since.
Provenance
Producer
Critics Ratings
‘The herbal element behind the name shows pleasingly as ever on 10. Big & forceful, all in balance – maybe a touch more severe & less graceful than the Cab Sauv (but that’s a year older), though alcohol 0.5% lower, at 13.8%. Surely 10+ years ahead, satisfying all the way!’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2013, 4.5*
‘It’s partly the clone and partly the proximity of eucalyptus trees, but this wine does exactly what it says on the label. Its very minty indeed, but there’s plenty of other things going on, too: herbal, tealeaf notes, with bright cassis, sweet vanilla oak and a long finish. Drink 2013-20.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2013, 94/100
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