2021 Thorne & Daughters, Semillon Gris Tin Soldier, 6x750ml
Alcohol: 12.35%
Tin Soldier is a skin-fermented wine made from Semillon gris, which is almost unique to South Africa, and a vestige of a time when Semillon was the grape on which the South African wine industry was built. The vineyard has been established from a sélection massale of Semillon gris cuttings taken from an adjacent vineyard of Semillon that was planted in 1964.
The colour of the wine is unusual, having taken some bright copper tones from about a week’s fermentation on skins. We continually aim to improve on our winemaking, and patience at picking time has allowed us to pick wines just that little bit riper and more complex without losing the elegance that this vineyard produces.
The interplay between savoury and sweet is a key point of interest in Tin Soldier, and makes for a subtle and engaging wine. The wine shows aromas of crushed rooibos leaves, warm toast and ruby grapefruit. The palate is rich, textured and long with spiced apple and loose leaf tea.
Tin Soldier is a skin-fermented wine made from Semillon gris, which is almost unique to South Africa, and a vestige of a time when Semillon was the grape on which the South African wine industry was built. The vineyard has been established from a sélection massale of Semillon gris cuttings taken from an adjacent vineyard of Semillon that was planted in 1964.
The colour of the wine is unusual, having taken some bright copper tones from about a week’s fermentation on skins. We continually aim to improve on our winemaking, and patience at picking time has allowed us to pick wines just that little bit riper and more complex without losing the elegance that this vineyard produces.
The interplay between savoury and sweet is a key point of interest in Tin Soldier, and makes for a subtle and engaging wine. The wine shows aromas of crushed rooibos leaves, warm toast and ruby grapefruit. The palate is rich, textured and long with spiced apple and loose leaf tea.
Availability: 4 weeks
Case size: 6 / Bottle size: 750ml
Duty Status
From £119.00
Critics Score: 94
Publication: Tim Atkin MW
Drinking Dates: 2022-2026
Tin Soldier is sourced from the Kweperfontein farm on the Paardeberg. Half of the wine is fermented on skins for seven days, giving it appealing structure and density. Quince, toast and a subtle black tea bitterness are complemented by minerality and a twist of orange zest. 2022-2026
"John Seccombe has seen great success since launching Thorne & Daughters in 2012 with his wife Tasha. I've been following the wines since the maiden vintage and noticed even greater heights over the last couple of vintages. I ask Seccombe about recent developments at his estate. I have pushed for more skin ripeness in recent years, he tells me. "In 2021, we didn't have a batch above 13% alcohol. We realised the sugars weren't going to move a lot. We feared they might be a bit light but we found lovely concentration and acids. The wines aren't lacking. This is a great set of wines that will appeal to those who seek a more understated style for whom texture is as important as substance and flavour. Like say, David Sadie or Chris Alheit's wines, they are deceptive and benefit from aeration before serving. Don't be afraid to decant these". - Neal Martin, Vinous
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