We've had a cold winter, which is great for the vines, but had hoped for a bit more rain here at Thelema Mountain Vineyards. All the pruning is complete, and we're busy removing the pruned canes, which we chip and add to the compost mounds. It's a pretty time of the year, especially on those crisp, clear days where the early morning sun sparkles on the deep green of the cover crops sown in the vineyard rows. It is also a very exciting time for the team, as we release the new vintages of our range for the season.
Thelema Rabelais and Merlot Reserve 2020 released
First of the list of much anticipated wines to be released is our flagship wine Thelema Rabelais. The 2020 vintage is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. Our head winemaker Rudi Schultz is thrilled about this vintage, "The early analysis, the structure of the fruit, the total balance in the juice….we know this Rabelais is going to be something great.”
Another small production wine now available is the much loved Thelema Merlot Reserve 2020 This barrel selection of Thelema’s best Merlot is aged in 100% new oak barrels and shows a wonderful richness and purity on the palate. Master of Wine Greg Sherwood remarked, "It always amazes me how Thelema manages to coax such an incredible amount of complexity out of their Merlot Reserve wine."
2020 Vintage review from Duncan Clarke, senior winemaker
"The lead-up to the 2020 Vintage saw very favourable growing conditions present in our vineyards, namely ample rainfall replenishing the water table in our soil profile, as well as sufficient cold units accumulated for the vines to break their dormancy evenly. Ideal moderate weather experienced during the growing season had a major role to play allowing for optimal ripening conditions during harvest. The resultant 2020 wines are extremely attractive on the nose with alluring sweet fruit notes ever-present throughout, followed up with complex concentrated palates with well-polished tannins to boot. We are very excited for you all to try them!"
Thelema Chardonnay 2019 excels at IWC 2022
The Thelema Chardonnay 2019 was awarded 95 points at this year’s International Wine Challenge competition.
"Complex, nutty, mealy and spicy with lovely depth of pear and peach fruit. The oak is tremendously well integrated." - IWC 2022
We hope you'll pop in for a tasting when you're in our part of the world, as we will have the above mentioned wines available for tasting.