Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
By Christian Eedes, 6 March 2025
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The Cabernet Sauvignon from Stellenbosch property Thelema is known for its restrained, age-worthy character, and the much-heralded 2021 vintage (price: R380 a bottle) stays true to this legacy.
Matured for 18 months in barrel, 40% new, it reveals a nose that is initially reserved but gradually reveals layers of cassis, some leafiness, and pencil shavings, accented by violets, mint and earth. The palate is impeccably balanced, with pure fruit, bright acidity, and supple tannins. Seamless and precise, it shows greater concentration and length than the 2020 vintage and should deliver even more pleasure with further maturation. Alc: 14%.
CE’s rating: 93/100.
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Greg Sherwood | 7 March 2025
Robert Parker used to say… “read my note and not my score.” I very much get the sense of that from your rating here! 2021 vintage, in my opinion, will in the future, be recognized as one of the truly great vintages of the past 2 to 3 decades… yet ratings and reviews from multiple critics, yourself included, do not seem to reflect this sufficiently for the consumer.
“The palate is impeccably balanced, with pure fruit, bright acidity, and supple tannins. Seamless and precise, it shows greater concentration and length than the 2020 vintage and should deliver even more pleasure with further maturation.” – Surely a note that merits more than a 93 point score?
But perhaps consumers need to read your notes, not your scores when making informed purchasing decisions? I suspect quite confidently that you will revisit this wine in a few years time and happily score it 95 or higher!
Christian Eedes | 7 March 2025
Hi Greg, It’s undoubtedly an excellent wine, but to warrant a higher score, I would have liked to see more mid-palate depth which would contribute to greater overall gravitas.
Greg Sherwood | 7 March 2025
I hear you CE, but I think the uniquely cool expression of the 2021 vintage combined with freshness and tension hides the true depth of many 2021s. Its common to see this on top Bordeaux reds in cooler vintages… making them almost feel “light weight” or thin on the mid palate. But as we all know, density is not the absolute answer to longevity. Balance, freshness, tension and harmony will carry a wine a lot further.