2017 Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon
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Impressive successor to the 2015, awarded five Platter stars last year. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, harvested 23 February. 11-day fermentation in stainless steel, transferred to barrel for malo. Aged for 18 months in 225-litre French oak, 45% new, 55% second and third fill. Bottled 10 December 2018. RS 2.3 g/l, TA 5.6 g/l, pH 3.52, SO 2 total 80 mg/l, SO 2 free 30 mg/l. Deep crimson. Appetising and lightly toasty. Mellow fruit and a fine, dry finish. Classic build. Lots of tannin still in evidence. Should appeal to bordeaux fans. GV (JR)
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Opening with a dusty and red-fruited nose with elements of red plum, dark cherry skin, cedar, sage, thyme and roasted red bell pepper, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is delightful and expressive in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, the wine opens with a kiss of sweet oak, tart, black cherry skin and dark plum essence before displaying some tight tannins that will allow this to age for a decade. The wine ends with a juicy, red-fruited finish with elements of spiced potpourri and thyme.
Vines planted on Hutton decomposed granite in 1988, 1989 and 2002. Picked 23 February. Yield about 7.3 t/ha. Destalked, hand-sorting of berries, crushed, pumped into tank, pumped over for eight days, left for three days before pressing, racked to barrel for malo. Aged for 18 months in barrel. 45% new French oak, balance in older barrels. TA 5.6 g/l, RS 2.3 g/l. Deep glowing crimson. Quite intense, subtle, balsam-flavoured nose. This has grunt underneath, though it starts a little sweet. Very fresh and lively with oak beautifully managed. Nothing to excess, though classicists may find it just a tad sweet. (JR)