Thorne & Daughters new releases

Johne Seccombe, who’s been making wines under the Thorne & Daughters label since 2013, hopes his wines are becoming ever more “stylish” by which I understand him to mean that his wines should be increasingly distinctive in terms of their elegance and sophistication. Judging by his 2023s, he’s very much on track. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Tin Soldier Semillon 2023
Price: R400
From Swartland Semillon Gris, 50% fermented on the skins for approximately one week. Red apple, orange, potpourri, a hint of wax and spice on the nose. The palate has dense fruit and punchy acidity before a deeply savoury finish – perhaps a little more generous than previous vintages. Alc: 13.1%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Paper Kite Old Vine Semillon 2023
Price: R400
Grapes from a 1963 Swartland vineyard. Lime, lemon, apple, honeydew melon, hay, fynbos and a hint of struck-match reduction on the nose. The palate has great fruit concentration, lively acidity and a pithy finish. This release seems to have a particular polish about it.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Cat’s Cradle Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R400
Grapes predominantly from the Paardeberg. Elusive aromatics of pear, peach, soft citrus and hay. The palate is nicely weighted – not as austere as some examples of the variety from the area. Fine and detailed – pure fruit, well-integrated acidity and a gently savoury finish.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Rocking Horse Cape White 2023
Price: R325
30% Roussanne, 28% Chenin Blanc, 20% Chardonnay, 15% Semillon and 7% Clairette Blanc sourced from across the Western Cape. A triumph being both multifaceted but also completely coherent. Flowers, pear, peach, citrus, apple, earth, spice and a hint of leesy complexity on the nose while the palate has it all: depth of fruit, texture, a lovely line of acidity and long, savoury finish. A wine of pin-point accuracy. Alc: 13.63%.

CE’s rating: 98/100.

Snake’s & Ladders Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Price: R400
Grapes from Citrusdal Mountain. A perfumed nose with notes of flowers, hay, white peach and a touch of blackcurrant. The palate is immensely powerful – full-bodied and thick textured while remaining just about fresh enough. Alc: 14.6%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Wanderer’s Heart 2022
Price: R325
45% Syrah, 33% Grenache, 13% Carignan and 9% Mourvèdre sourced from across the Westen Cape. All components other than Carignan fermented whole-bunch. Cherry, plum, maybe a touch of raisin, floral perfume, fynbos, earth and white pepper on the nose. The palate is broad – fruit to the fore, bright acidity and soft tannins. Alc: 13.39%.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

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