Tuesday, 1 June 2010

TN : Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Thelema Mountain Vineyards, Helshoote, Stellenbosch, South Africa


This wine is 100% clone 46 Cabernet Sauvignon. The root stocks used are 101-14, R110, and R99. The soil type was Hutton, decomposed granite. The vines were planted in 1988 and 1989 at a density of 3200 vines per hectare. The trellising is vertical hedge. The pruning strategy was 2-bud spurs every 15 centimetres. The average yield was six tonnes per hectare. Supplementary drip irrigation was used. The grapes were picked between the 28th and 31st March. The grape sugar was 24 balling, acidity was 5.2 grammes per litre, and the pH was 3.4.



Natural occurring wild yeasts were used for fermentation. Alcohol fermentation was at a temperature at 27 degrees. The grapes were de-stalked, followed by hand sorting of berries which were crushed and then pumped into stainless steel tanks. The cap was pumped over for six days and then the wine was left for five days before pressing, and then racked to barrel
for malolactic fermentation. The wine was matured for twenty months in barrel; 45% new French oak and the balance in older barrels.

This wine was imported by Nigab AB.

Colour : Dark blackcurrant

Aroma : Herbs, blackcurrant, mint, cedar

Taste : Toasty oak, bright blackcurrant fruit, mint, green pepper

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 199 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Website : Nigab AB

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