Thelema Sutherland Elgin Viognier & Roussanne 2009 90 points

Thelema Sutherland Elgin Viognier & Roussanne 2009 90 points


Clear, day bright, pale straw with slight green tinge, medium concentration and medium viscosity, no evidence of gas or sediment.

Clean with medium plus intensity, notes of just ripe cling peach, green lime, waxy melon, marmalade, grilled nuts and honey as well as floral frangipani.

Dry, medium plus acidity, medium alcohol, flavors follow through with new fruit and nuts such as green orange segment and zest, toasty pistachio with a creamy mid palate texture, medium length and medium complexity with an almondy / marzipan aftertaste.

How the wine achieve such a high score after tasting twice over a 48 hour period, averaging then a solid 87 – 88 points was the fact that bottle was forgotten at room temperature, seal with screw cap and unopened for 18 days, two third filling, and has yet to be oxidized when for fun I re-tried it, yes 18 days later!! it was simply amazing and have almost gain extra body, initially skeptical, I left it in the glass for 30 – 45 just to make sure and it would be fair to say and rate this wine a very good 90 points.


To give this wine justice, I would recommend it be aerated or double decanted or decant at room temperature and chilled in the decanter, and served from same, now until 2020. Maiden vintage.

Served at 13 – 15 degrees Celsius, the warmer the more texture, it was perfect with 2 dishes:

Prawn tempura, no dipping sauce or with crayfish tail just pan seared in extra virgin South African olive oil and served in sage butter, as simple as that!