Thelema “The Mint” Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Available in RSA only

Toasty oak character with a slightly leathery, mocha, chocolatey character.

Maturation

This wine is delicious now, but can keep for another couple of years.

Food Pairing

Roast lamb!

Winemaker's Comments

POSSIBLE ORIGIN OF “MINT” / EUCALYPTOL CHARACTER

The most likely source of the “mint” character could be attributed to the airborne transfer from the Eucalyptus trees, which border this specific Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard, to the grape berries. It is believed that the berries outer wax layer could adsorb Eucalyptol, a compound responsible for the aroma, released into the air by the trees. It subsequently becomes dissolved during the fermentation process, which takes place on the skins, inevitably giving the wine a “minty” character unique to this vineyard.

All Vintages

Thelema “The Mint” Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Tasting Notes

Viticultural Practices

Varietal	100% Cabernet Sauvignon – clone 163
Root stock	Mgt 101-14
Soil type	Hutton – decomposed granite
Age of vines	Planted 1985
Plant density	3200 vines per hectare
Trellising	Vertical hedge
Pruning	2-bud spurs every 15cm
Yield	6 t/ha
Irrigation	Supplementary drip
Vintage	Long ripening period, moderate to warm conditions.
Picking date	26th March
Grape sugar	24.4 °B
Acidity	5.0 g/l
pH at harvest	3.55

Winemaking Practices

Yeasts	Natural occurring yeasts
Fermentation temp	27 °C
Method	De-stalked, hand sorting of berries, crushed, pumped into a stainless steel fermenter, pumped over for 10 days, left for 5 days before pressing, racked to barrel for malolactic fermentation.
Wood maturation	20 months in barrel. 100% new French oak.

Wine Details

Residual Sugar	1.6 g/l
pH	3.57
Total acid	5.5 g/l
Alcohol	14.11% by volume
Maturation	drink now.

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The Current Range

Thelema Cap Classique 2017

92 POINTS - TIM ATKIN SOUTH AFRICA SPECIAL REPORT 2023