Thelema, Chardonnay 2023
Fermented and matured in French oak barrels, the 2023 vintage offers a finely balanced expression of Stellenbosch Chardonnay.
Aromas of lemon zest and white blossom lead into subtle notes of stone fruit and toasted almonds on the palate.
Medium bodied with bright acidity and a refined mineral core, the wine finishes with a long, creamy texture and gentle oak integration.
£24.50
Stellenbosch
Chardonnay
Bone-drySweet
Description
A family owned and managed wine estate, part of the spectacular Simonsberg Mountain range in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Home to Thelema and Sutherland wines.
TASTING NOTES
Fermented and matured in French oak barrels, the 2023 vintage offers a finely balanced expression of Stellenbosch Chardonnay. Aromas of lemon zest and white blossom lead into subtle notes of stone fruit and toasted almonds on the palate. Medium bodied with bright acidity and a refined mineral core, the wine finishes with a long, creamy texture and gentle oak integration.
FOOD PAIRING
Full flavoured dishes such as lobster, tuna, chicken and pork.
VITICULTURAL PRACTICES
Varietal Chardonnay: Clones CY3 & CY5
Root stock: 101 – 14, R110
Soil type: Hutton – decomposed granite
Age of vines Planted: 1989, 2000 & 2009
Plant density: 2500 – 3757 vines per hectare
Trellising: Vertical hedge / Guyot
Pruning: 2-bud spurs every 12 cm.
Yield: 7.5 t/ha
Irrigation: Supplementary drip
Vintage: Drier conditions limited berry mass and subsequently yields but also ensured outstanding quality.
Picking date: 31 January 2023 – 8 February 2023
Grape sugar: 22.5°B
Acidity: 8.0 g/l
pH at harvest: 3.22
WINEMAKING PRACTICES
Yeasts: Lalvin M
Fermentation temp: 19 °C
Method: De-stalked, crushed, pressed & settled in stainless steel tanks before the clear juice was fermented in 228 L French oak barrels. Small portion whole bunch pressed.
Wood maturation: 10 months in French oak barrels, 30% new, and the balance in older barrels.
WINE ANAYSIS
Residual Sugar: 1.7 g/l
pH: 3.32
Total acid: 6.5 g/l
Alcohol: 13.0% ABV
Additional information
| Grape | Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Wine Farm | |
| Alcohol | 13% |
Full flavoured dishes such as lobster, tuna, chicken and pork.
5 reviews for Thelema, Chardonnay 2023
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94 points | Tim Atkin MW Special South Africa Report 2025
“We don’t have a Reserve Chardonnay,” says Thomas Webb, “so all the grapes go here.” And thank goodness for that, as it over-delivers at the price. Finely judged, flinty and stony, it has a waft of struck match, toasty 30% new wood, quince and citrus fruit flavours and the racy acidity that’s typical of the cooler parts of the Simonsberg. 2025-30″
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Silver Medal (91 points) | Decanter World Wine Awards 2025
“Orange blossom, almond paste and bees wax notes lead into a elegant palate with floral nuance and chalky grip elevated by tangy acidity.”
Decanter World Wine Awards 2025 –
Gold Medal (95 points) | International Wine & Spirits Competition 2025
“A captivating bouquet reveals flinty saline notes intertwined with delicate white flowers and vibrant white grapefruit. The palate presents a zesty explosion of lemon pith and lime, showcasing remarkable tension and balance. It culminates in a refreshingly crystalline finish, accented by subtle oak and a whisper of saline.”
International Wine & Spirits Competition 2025 –
Silver Medal (91 points) | International Wine Challenge 2025
“Enticing aromas of guava and pineapple, super clean, pure exotic fruit. Candied lemon peel and polished balancing oak.”
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95 points | Platter’s Wine Guide 2026
“Attractive gunflint opens 2023, seguing to citrus & peach on resonant & fresh palate. Chalky dryness & steely acidity are deftly offset by cream & nutty spice from 10 months lees-stirring in 30% new small barrels, as in 2022.”
Platter’s Wine Guide 2026 –