Thelema Merlot 2021
This Merlot embodies a remarkable balance between smooth elegance and vibrant fruitiness, making it a true delight for the senses. Ripe red cherries and luscious plum dominate the aroma, creating an alluring entrance that promises a flavourful experience. The finish is long-lasting and graceful, leaving a lasting impression of the wine’s inherent finesse.
Food Pairing
Roasted duck with berry reduction sauce or Grilled Portobello mushrooms.
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Tasting Notes
Viticultural Practices
| Varietal | Merlot – clone 192 and 343 |
|---|---|
| Root stock | R99/110 |
| Soil type | Hutton – decomposed granite |
| Age of vines | Planted 1988 and 2000 |
| Plant density | 2460 – 3200 vines per hectare |
| Trellising | Vertical hedge |
| Pruning | 2-bud spurs every 12cm |
| Yield | 12 t/ha |
| Irrigation | Supplementary drip |
| Vintage | A warm, dry vintage with a late start, resulted in smaller tonnage but yielding balanced, well-structured wines with lovely intensity. |
| Picking date | 4 March 2021 |
| Grape sugar | 23.9°B |
| Acidity | 5.35 g/l |
| pH at harvest | 3.5 |
Winemaking Practices
| Yeasts | Alchemy4 |
|---|---|
| Fermentation temp | 24°C - 27 °C |
| Method | 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 barreled down. Malolactic fermentation takes place in the barrels. |
| Wood maturation | 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new, balance in older barrels. |
Wine Details
| Residual Sugar | 2.0 g/l |
|---|---|
| pH | 3.40 |
| Total acid | 5.5 g/l |
| Alcohol | 14% by volume |
The Current Range
Thelema Sauvignon Blanc 2025
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Thelema The Abbey 2022
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Thelema Merlot 2022
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Thelema Rabelais 2022
6 pack box set
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Looking for an older vintage? Please contact us for more information.