2021 Thelema - Mountain Red Stellenbosch (750ml)

Thelema Mountain Vineyards was founded in 1983 when Gyles Webb, a trained accountant turned winemaker, and his wife purchased an old fruit farm along the Helshoogte Pass on the Simonsberg Mountain. The estate's vineyards climb to around 530 meters, among the highest elevations in Stellenbosch, and that combination of altitude and rich red soil helped establish Thelema as one of the region's leading names for Cabernet Sauvignon and other classic red varieties.

The Mountain Red draws on those same high, south-facing slopes, where Thelema's philosophy of minimal intervention lets each vineyard's character come through in the glass. Built around a Bordeaux-style base of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc with a share of Shiraz, the wine spends eighteen months resting in French oak barrels, a slower aging process that softens the tannins and knits the fruit together before bottling.

The result is an inviting glass of black fruit, mulberry, and plum, lifted by warm spice and a touch of black pepper. Eighteen months in barrel bring a soft, juicy texture with well-rounded tannins and a long finish that lingers pleasantly. It's a versatile match for grilled meats, roast lamb, or even a lightly spiced pizza night.