Thelema Mountain Vineyards

Rabelais Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

9.336 ratings
9.35 pro ratings
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Salami & Prosciutto, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion
Top Notes For
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Eighth red wine at our annual DMV South African wine tasting. Medium ruby red in appearance with garnet edges. Layered nose with notes of vanilla, cassis, light chalky notes and dark berries. A touch of very light purple flowers on the back end of the nose. Heavy tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Lovely and integrated palate with blackberries, spices, earthiness and dark rocks. A touch of dryness in the long and lingering finish. Drink till 2027.

Eighth red wine at our annual DMV South African wine tasting. Medium ruby red in appearance with garnet edges. Layered nose with notes of vanilla, cassis, light chalky notes and dark berries. A touch of very light purple flowers on the back end of the nose. Heavy tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Lovely and integrated palate with blackberries, spices, earthiness and dark rocks. A touch of dryness in the long and lingering finish. Drink till 2027.

Mar 5th, 2018
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Deep garnet red with a bit of bricking on the edges. A bit dirty on the nose to start, savory, light plums, earthiness, and tobacco leaves. Dirtiness is not over the top. Well integrated with medium tannins (6/10). A bit chalky on the palate, with dried cherries, earthy and overall very dry. Medium bodied and finish is doing quite well and lingers for a decent period of time. Drink till 2029.

Deep garnet red with a bit of bricking on the edges. A bit dirty on the nose to start, savory, light plums, earthiness, and tobacco leaves. Dirtiness is not over the top. Well integrated with medium tannins (6/10). A bit chalky on the palate, with dried cherries, earthy and overall very dry. Medium bodied and finish is doing quite well and lingers for a decent period of time. Drink till 2029.

Nov 13th, 2017
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

Day five on the cruise and this night at Giovanni's the Italian restaurant aboard the Allure of the Seas. We decided to open up two South African beauties for this.

Deep mix of ruby and garnet red. Very earthy on the nose with savory and slightly stinky characteristics. A touch green as well. Heavy tannins (7/10) and medium plus to full bodied. Dark berries on the attack of the palate with some dark cocoa and cinnamon notes. Long finish with some cedar notes. Drink till 2028.

Day five on the cruise and this night at Giovanni's the Italian restaurant aboard the Allure of the Seas. We decided to open up two South African beauties for this.

Deep mix of ruby and garnet red. Very earthy on the nose with savory and slightly stinky characteristics. A touch green as well. Heavy tannins (7/10) and medium plus to full bodied. Dark berries on the attack of the palate with some dark cocoa and cinnamon notes. Long finish with some cedar notes. Drink till 2028.

Sep 8th, 2017
James Brenner

From our trip to Stellenbosch in 2015.

From our trip to Stellenbosch in 2015.

Jan 30th, 2021
Gregory Edwards

Let it open up

Let it open up

Jul 14th, 2018
Josh

Great wine. Better company.

Great wine. Better company.

Apr 30th, 2018
Jeffrey Vlasic

Our find from holiday in South Africa

Our find from holiday in South Africa

Feb 23rd, 2018
Petr Jonak

Thelema Winery, Stellenbosch, 24/03/2016

Thelema Winery, Stellenbosch, 24/03/2016

Dec 5th, 2016
Jonathan Keytel

Amazing blend. Well balanced. The 2011 is really good now. Soft tannins, some complexity and a great finish.

Amazing blend. Well balanced. The 2011 is really good now. Soft tannins, some complexity and a great finish.

Jul 23rd, 2016
Colleen Kelly

ZA wine tour. Unbelievable Bordeaux blend. Complex & structured, berry and cedar.

ZA wine tour. Unbelievable Bordeaux blend. Complex & structured, berry and cedar.

Sep 17th, 2015