WTN: 2001 Thelema Merlot

[Jenise]

2001 Thelema Merlot, South Africa
Plums and camphor make a nice twosome, if you like camphor and not all do/would, in this nicely aged merlot which strangely, considering the relative reputations of the grapes, has matured better than the same vintage of cabernet we opened about three weeks ago. The fruit has good density and secondary nuances plus a bit of telltale coffee flavor that because of the camphor is more espresso than a mellower breakfast blend, and the wine just gets richer/deeper with time in the glass. The wine should hold here for years or even continue to improve. Will have to open another cabernet and see if that just wasn't an off bottle.

[David M. Bueker]

100% Merlot, or is there some Cab sneaking in the back door to add structure? I don't know the varietal pruity laws of South Africa.

[Peter May]

For export its 85% of the named variety. 75% domestic.

According to Platter the 2001 Thelema Merlot included 14% Cab.

18 mths ageing French oak, 30% new.

[Jenise]

Thanks, Pete.

[David M. Bueker]

A fountain of knowledge.

[Mark Kogos]

On one trip to SA, I was fortunate enough to have lunch at Thelema. The restaurant is superb and the food gorgeous. The menu has a strong emphasis on local game such as springbok and various other forms of African deer. Whilst the views go straight back down the valley to the distant coastline. For some time I had a photo on my phone I took of the restaurant and the menu but of course I deleted it recently because I never thought I would have further need for them.