Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

The grapes were gently de-stemmed, retaining as many whole berries as possible before passing over an additional vibrating table to remove all MOG(matter other than grapes), after which a displacement pump takes the fruit to its fermentation tank. The tanks are then inoculated with a specific commercial yeast strain, this way insuring the development of the perfect flavour profile. Fermentation is done in stainless steel fermenters, and a combination of aerative pump overs and punch down techniques are used to ensure optimal colour, tannin and flavour extraction. Once fermentation is complete the wine is drained off the skins and moved to a holding tank to be barrelled down. Malolactic fermentation takes place in the barrels. The wines age gracefully in place for 18 months, with 30% new French oak barrels, and receive only one racking during this period. After tasting through all the individual lots our winemaking team decides on the final blend, the barrels are emptied into the tank farm and the wines are prepared for bottling.

A warm, dry vintage with a late start, resulted in smaller tonnage but yielding balanced, well-structured wines with lovely intensity.

18 months

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

A butterflied leg of lamb or a lamb steak with rosemary and potato dauphinoise on the side.

Decanter World Wine Awards 2024 – 95 Points / Gold Medal

Platter’s Wine Guide 2025 – 5 Stars / 95 Points

International Wine Challenge 2024 – 93 points

Tim Atkin SA Report 2024 – 93 points

Gyles Webb abandoned his accounting career in Durban to become a winemaker. In 1983, with the help of his wife’s family, the McLean’s, Gyles bought Thelema. The beginning of a family legacy. The manor house was restored and the first wines under the Thelema label were released in 1988. By the mid 90’s Thelema’s wines sold out within a month after release, making it one of the most sought-after wine estates in South Africa. The Webb family describe Thelema as “one of the most beautiful places on earth”. As Thelema in Stellenbosch continued to flourish, Gyles embarked on a search for an additional property in order to establish a second vineyard. In 2002, the Webb family purchased an idyllic farm with an undulating landscape, in the cool Elgin region, creating ideal grape growing conditions.