Rudi Schultz in NYC - Thelema wines +

First of all i would like to thank Gregory for setting this up - and David Cope (of Cape Classics) for bringing Rudi and Miles here to NYC :) And, of course, a HUGE thanks to both Rudi and Miles for making it an amazing and an educational evening! The restaurant too was sensational - what is their regular corkage policy? All i know is that the inner for the 8 of us cost $180!! we left a generous tip but it was still too cheap for the level of food that we had. it was very well prepared and large portiones as well :) i dont think anyone left hungry.

The wines were VERY impressive - world class indeed. The consistent note - now that i look back - was great acidity and refreshing quality of these wines. None were "heavy" or "clumsy". The challange sems to keep that acidity in balance and the wines did that well.

• 2005 Thelema Sauvignon Blanc 89 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

  WOW great nose on this wine! citrus/grapefruit notes and just a touch of tropical fruit on the nose. But just taste this - this is not "new world" wine. Its bright, crisp acidity makes one think of Spanish Verdejo. With time this became even more delicious but thats because it started off a bit too cold. Rudi said this is not an ager - his suggestion is to drink it within 9-12 month of release but it could go a year or 2. Good Qpr as well. NO HEAT - this wine is at 14% alc and no heat what so ever!

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• 2004 Miles Mossop Wines Saskia 89 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region

  This is a blend of Viogneer and Chenin. Started of with a great nose of flowers that aquired some honey as it went along. Very rich mouthfeel - with great fruit and acidity. Chenin is hiding now - but it comes out in the finish. Some oak - but very well integrated. This is delicious.

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• 2004 Thelema Chardonnay 91 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

  everybody already knows... i dont like chardonay. BUT there are some days when a wine goes above and beyond my expectations. This was one of them. It was a bit cold and the nose showed some oak and butter...so i was not impressed...BUT Rudi said give it time. He has had some bottles that are 10+ years old and a drinking well now but he suggests waiting 3 years after release for maturity. So i waited...and WOW. There was a lot of power under the hood here. More toward white burg then cali. Very compact with great backbone - nothing flabby or "sweet" about this wine! this is a Serious wine@ much impressed.

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• 2003 Rudi Schultz Syrah 94 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

  This is Rudi's "baby" and WOW what a wine it was. It continued to change throughout the night and by the end was pure heaven. the 8 of us polished off 2 bottles of this!!!
  Started off a touch sweet on the nose but that blew off to reveal Spice and tobacco and red/black berries. Very mouthcoating - glycerin and well balanced. With time less "rich" but more rhone-like. Great acidity and backbone. Medium bodied wine even withall the richness of fruit - nothing heavy here. No alc showing. YUM!@

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• 1997 Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

  This is very minty - mint melange :) IF you want a wine to go with a simple lamb preparation this is it! good nose of black fruit, acidity is there keeping this iwne very refreshing. This is a medium bodied wine with good structure and excelent balance.

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• 1998 Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

  This was a hot vintage compared to the cooler '97. This wine was less minty (although its still there) and more earthy. A bit heavier without losing balance and more - tons - of black fruit. Good cabernet!

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• 2003 Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

  Minty, lactic, lots of fresh fruit and berries. This is very old world - with medium body and great backnone. this obviously needs more time but is already delicious. Was my favorite when this and the syrah were just poured - but the syrah developed faster - this may develop more as well.

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• 2003 Tokara Red 91 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

  This is a serious wine - with bordeaux-like flavors but high acidity. in fact i mentioned acid 4 times wheli writing about this wine. if the acidity fades it will be a GREAT wine. The acidity is not at the point where its very distracting for me - but one must love that style - this has very rich fruit and excellent balance. Again - medium bodied.

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Thanks again for a wonderfull evening and hope to see all of you soon! Greg & Gregory - it was a pleasure as always :)