Stellenbosch Vineyards Therona 2020

The Therona from Stellenbosch Vineyards is not some fancy name for a white blend, but actually the name of a grape variety that is unique to South Africa. Very few people are familiar with this superb grape variety that was developed in the 1950s as a hybrid of Crouchen Blanc and Chenin Blanc by prof. Christiaan Orffer in an attempt to improve the quality of Chenin Blanc in South Africa. The variety was named after Orffer’s mentor, CJ Theron. However, this was at the same time as the development of Pinotage, which turned out to be very popular in South Africa.

This wine was vinified, shortly after the winery suffered major losses due to a fire that destroyed over 3 million bottles of wine. Grapes from about 100 vines were pressed with a basket press and aged for five months in 2nd fill French oak barrels. Only 776 bottles of this wine were produced.

In the glass, this wine has an old gold yellow colour. It is pleasantly harmonious on the nose with apples, citrus and vanilla. It delivers well on the palate with a great zesty freshness, against elegant fruitiness of green apples, dried peaches, apricots, honey, herbs and vanilla. The mouthfeel is soft and elegant and it has a long, fruity finish with a hint of minerality. This wine is perfectly balanced in all ways. It is the perfect wine to enjoy in between a Chenin Blanc and a Chardonnay.

It is not easy to get your hands on a bottle of Therona, but it is certainly worth it and something that you will not regret. It is best enjoyed on its own, chilled well. It can be enjoyed now or in the next eight years or so.

Producer: Stellenbosch Vineyards

Variety: Therona

Vintage: 2020

Origin: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

Winemaker: Petri de Beer

Closure: Cork

Alcohol: 13%

RS: 1.8g/l

Average price: R270

Rating: 98/100