2024 Thelema - Muscat Vin de Hel Late Harvest HALF BOTTLE (375ml)

Thelema Mountain Vineyards sits on the Helshoogte Pass in Stellenbosch, on the southeastern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain. Gyles Webb, an accountant from Durban, abandoned his career after a memorable taste of Burgundy Puligny-Montrachet convinced him to pursue winemaking instead. In 1983, with support from his wife's family, the McLeans, he purchased a run down fruit farm on the site, restored the old manor house, and released the first wines under the Thelema label in 1988. By the mid 1990s, demand had grown so strong that new vintages sold out within a month of release, cementing Thelema's place among South Africa's most respected estates.

Vin de Hel takes its name from the property's high, cool position and is made from Muscat grapes left on the vine well past normal ripeness, concentrating their natural sugars and aromatics. The grapes come from vineyards reaching up to 530 meters above sea level, among the highest and coolest sites in Stellenbosch, where decomposed granite soils and significant temperature swings between day and night help preserve acidity even as sugar levels climb. This balance between richness and freshness defines the wine's character.

The wine glows golden in the glass, with layered Muscat aromatics of pineapple, fresh citrus, and apricot rounded out by touches of honey and delicate floral notes. On the palate, it turns rich and concentrated, striking a graceful balance between natural sweetness and bright acidity. Enjoy it alongside a fruit tart, other fruit forward desserts, or a selection of fine handcrafted cheeses.