Thorne & Daughters Tin Soldier Semillon Gris Swartland 2020

Description

Thorne & Daughters was started in 2013 by John and Tasha Seccombe with the aim of producing authentic wines from the Western Cape. It is widely acknowledged to be one of the forerunners of the ‘New Wave’ wine movement in South Africa. Thorne & Daughters is mainly focused on producing Cape white blends, from 15 different growers in Bot River, Stellenbosch, Voor Paardeberg, Swartland, Citrusdal, Franschhoek and Overberg. Fruit sourcing has relied on a network of close winemaking friends and knocking on doors to gather the various parcels with which they work. John and Tasha did not want to be limited geographically, so the net was cast wide and has been driven by “a happy synergy of people, place, soil and vines”.

The Semillon Gris grapes for the ‘Tin Soldier’ are sourced from a single vineyard in the “Siebritskloof” (Siebret's Valley) on Swartland’s Paardeberg mountain. The vineyard was planted with cuttings of Semillon Gris taken from the old bush vine vineyard where the Semillon for the ‘Paper Kite’ comes from and is believed to be the only 100% Semillon Gris vineyard in South Africa. The soils are granitic sand and the seven-year-old vines are trellised.

The ‘Tin Soldier’ is deep copper in colour due to the partial skin fermentation. On the nose intense aromas of citrus peel and papaya combine with notes of spice, ginger, marzipan and buttered toast. The interplay between sweet and savoury aromas is a key point of interest in the ‘Tin Soldier’ and makes for a subtle and engaging wine. The palate is finely structured, with fresh acidity and full flavours of citrus, gooseberry and sesame seeds. It is dry and delicate, while at the same time showing a core of richness and depth.