Tuesday, December 09, 2014

Thelema's Boland Braai

Rabelais is Thelema’s top Cabernet based blend and last week, at their Annual Boland Braai for the trade, Gyles Webb took us through a tasting of four vintages, starting with the 2010 and working back through to 2007. The first three all have an element of Petit Verdot whilst the oldest just has 20% Merlot. All were superb, but the oldest one was the real block buster. If you have any, we suggest you serve it with Christmas dinner. The 2007 does have the classic Thelema ‘mint’ from the eucalyptus trees on the property, which adds another dimension to the wine. The newer vintages’ Cabernet is from a vineyard higher up the mountain, which does not have the eucalyptus influence, so they show purer cassis fruit.
We love going to this very relaxed event held from late afternoon on the farm. This year, his viticulturalist Werner Schultz braaied some excellent boerewors. All the Sutherland and Thelema wines are available for tasting and this year and there were many people we know so it became a real party. Thank you, Webb family.

Gyles Webb and Lynne sharing a joke
Gyles presenting the four Rabelais vintages
Michele van Eeden arranged the event and poured the wines. Chef Christophe Dehosse from Joostenberg is in the background
There were some new generation wine family members present! This is Michele’s husband, Frans van Eeden and their son, Eben. Buffet table behind them
Thomas Webb was doing a sterling job pouring tastes of the complete range of the Sutherland and Thelema wines to the large gathering of wine people
Another relaxed party on the lawn with lots of children having fun. Next year they might have to get a jumping castle
Lots of room to play
and master braaier, viticulturalist Werner Schultz getting the braai fire going
Frans van Eeden gets the sausage on
Christian Eedes with Thomas Webb
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2014

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