Award Winning
Thelema Rabelais 2021
R890,00
Francois Rabelais was a sixteenth – century French writer. His first novel describes an abbey on the banks of the Loire named Thélà¨me where only one rule was observed: “Do what thou wilt!” Thelema is family run and has been making wine since 1988. The finest red wine of the vintage, blended from Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, honours the man who gave us our name. During our annual vintage review individual barrels are identified and earmarked for the Rabelais blend. Concentrated aromas of dark berries and cedar wood on the nose are complemented by lovely sweet fruit and polished tannins on the palate. The wine finishes long and firm and will reward cellaring.
More Information
Specifications
In the cellar
De-stalked, hand sorted, whole berries pumped into stainless steel fermentation tanks and pumped over twice a day until dry. After fermentation the wine is left on the skins for 12 hours before pressing, once pressed wine is racked to barrel for malolactic fermentation. 18 months in 100% new 225 L French oak barrels.
In the vineyard
Moderate weather during the growing season lead to optimal ripening conditions allowing for evenly ripened fruit with great natural acidity and concentration of flavour.
Ageing
Made to be enjoyed now, however, can be aged for 12 to 15 years from vintage if stored in the correct conditions.
Cultivar
Cabernet Sauvignon 90 % and Petit Verdot 10 %
Food Pairing
This complex and full-bodied wine complements beef and game dishes.
Awards and Recognition
5 STARS - PLATTER'S WINE GUIDE 2023
97 / 100 - Tim Atkin 2023
About the Wine Estate
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.
