Tasting Notes

90
Vinous Stephen Tanzer - 01 Mar 07
Good ruby-red. Enticing aromas of currant, dark chocolate, minerals and leather. Sweet on entry, then silky and suave in the middle, with a lovely lightness of texture. A step above the basic bottling in flavor intensity and grip. With its firm acids, this is still rather tightly coiled. Finishes long and suave, with firm tannins and lingering berry, chocolate and espresso flavors. Thelema has long been known for producing some of South Africa's best merlots, and this bottle is a superb example.
Drinking Date:
South Africa

South Africa

South African wines blend Old World elegance with New World fruit-forwardness, offering diverse styles from regions like Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek. The country is famous for Pinotage, a unique grape producing bold, earthy wines with dark berry and smoky notes. South Africa also excels in Chenin Blanc, both crisp and oak-aged. Stellenbosch is renowned for Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Top producers include Kanonkop (Pinotage), Hamilton Russell (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir), and Klein Constantia (Vin de Constance).