Merlot

It pairs well with a variety of dishes, including grilled lamb, beef tenderloin, or roasted vegetable dishes, as it complements savory flavors and balanced acidity.

Grown on the slopes of the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch, this Merlot benefits from Thelema's cool-climate terroir, allowing for balanced ripening and concentration in flavor.

Although approachable now, this Merlot has the potential to develop further in the bottle over the next 5 to 7 years, rewarding patience with increased depth and complexity.

The wine is crafted with minimal intervention, enhancing its natural fruit expression. It is aged in French oak to soften the tannins and add subtle complexity without overpowering the fruit.

In 1983 Gyles Webb and his wife's family purchased a run-down fruit farm at the top of the Helshoogte Pass in Stellenbosch where they established Thelema Mountain Vineyards. At a time when the South African wine scene was focused on quantity rather than quality Webb was a trailblazing pioneer on a mission to craft world-class wines. Construction began on the winery in 1987 and Thelema produced its first vintage in 1988. Situated on the slopes of the Simonsberg Thelema occupies mainly south-facing aspects that afford spectacular views of the Simonsberg Drankenstein and Jonkershoek mountains. Elevations ranging from 370 to 640 meters above sea-level make the 157-hectare estate one of the coolest and highest wine farms in Stellenbosch.