2020  Thorne & Daughters, Paper Kite Semillon, 6x750ml

2020 Thorne & Daughters, Paper Kite Semillon, 6x750ml

Semillon blanc and gris – Swartland – 57 year old vineyard on alluvial granite soil
Alcohol: 13%

Availability: 4 weeks

Case size: 6 / Bottle size: 750ml

Duty Status
From £130.00

Critics Score: 95

Publication: Tim Atkin MW

Drinking Dates: 2021-2026

Now made with Swartland fruit - it was from Franschhoek initially - this wonderful old-vine Semillon continues to deliver in spades. Subtly reductive and stony with some tannic grip from thicker skins in a drought year, apple, straw and citrus fruit characters and a mouthwatering, low-alcohol finish.
Thorne & Daughters is widely acknowledged as one of the forerunners of the ‘New Wave’ wine movement in South Africa.

Vineyards
The Semillon grapes for the ‘Paper Kite’ are sourced from a single vineyard in the “Siebritskloof” (Siebret's Valley) on Swartland’s Paardeberg mountain. Sitting at 200 metres above sea level with easterly exposure, the 56-year-old, low-yielding bush vines are planted on alluvial granite soil. These old clones deliver a unique expression of Semillon which is very different to that of modern-day clones. The vines are head-trained, sites are farmed sustainably and grapes are harvested by hand.

Vintage
Following five years of drought, the 2020 vintage received long-awaited rains which began to replenish water reserves. That said, cold and windy weather at flowering resulted in smaller bunches, and depleted vine reserves meant that it was still a small and challenging harvest. Ripeness was achieved relatively early in the season. Disease pressure was minimal and crop levels were low in many of the dryland vineyards. This resulted in fine concentration and a very pure expression of Semillon with excellent potential for development.

Vinification
Following five years of drought, the 2020 vintage received long-awaited rains which began to replenish water reserves. That said, cold and windy weather at flowering resulted in smaller bunches, and depleted vine reserves meant that it was still a small and challenging harvest. Ripeness was achieved relatively early in the season. Disease pressure was minimal and crop levels were low in many of the dryland vineyards. This resulted in fine concentration and a very pure expression of Semillon with excellent potential for development.