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Thorne & Daughters

2021

‘Rocking Horse’

Cape White Blend   |   Western Cape - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

Rocking Horse is the cornerstone Thorne & Daughters wine blend and takes its name from a wooden rocking horse that John and Tasha made for their daughters out of old oak barrel staves. It is the perfect example of wholeness and totality in a wine. The wine is composed from a number of carefully selected vineyard sites in the Western Cape. This year (2021), Roussanne surpassed Sémillon  as the the primary component and comes from the granitic soils of Stellenbosch and iron-rich shale soils of the Voor-Paardeberg. The Sémillon is entirely from the original site in Franschhoek this vintage. Nearly equal parts of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay come from the Paardeberg and high altitude reaches of the Ceres Plateau respectively. Finishing up the blend is a splash of Clairette Blanche from the Paardeberg.

The harvesting challenge in 2021 was the same as it is every year; with grapes coming from far and wide, the key is to harvest all the blocks at the right time and then get them back to the cellar in perfect condition. The grapes were handpicked and fermented separately without inoculation in barrels of various sizes (228L, 300L, 400L, 500L, and 600L). A bit of skin contact was employed on the Clairette for intensity of flavor and aroma and all the ferments were on full solids. After nine months the wines were racked to a blending tank to settle where they are bottled with a small addition of sulfur and a crossflow filtration.

Stats

  • Grapes: 32% Roussanne - 29% Sémillon - 19% Chardonnay - 16% Chenin Blanc - 4% Clairette Blanche
  • Vineyard: Stellenbosch/ Voor Paardeberg (Roussanne) - Franschhoek (Sémillon) - Ceres Plateau (Chardonnay) - Swartland (Chenin Blanc & Clairette)
  • Vine Age: Roussanne (14-years) - Sémillon (39-years) - Chardonnay (8-years) - Chenin Blanc (42-years) - Clairette (38-years)
  • Soil Type: Decomposed Granite - Iron-rich shale - Alluvial - Sandstone
  • Viticulture: Sustainable – dry-farmed
  • Fermentation: Native – neutral French barrels
  • Skin Contact: 5 days (Clairette)
  • Aging: 9 months on the lees in neutral French barrels
  • Alcohol: 13.1%
  • pH: 3.31
  • Total Acidity: 6.0 g/L
  • Total SO2: 63 ppm
  • Total Production: 1,000 cases
  • UPC: 700083680969

Tasting Note

A layered and complex nose reveals golden kiwi fruit, mace, apple skin and shy florals, leading into a rounded, rich palate of honeyed nougat with a long taut, slightly saline finish.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

97

"32% Roussanne, 29% Semillon, 19% Chardonnay, 16% Chenin Blanc and 4% Clairette Blanche sourced from the Cape winelands. Sensational aromatics of green, white and yellow fruit, flowers, herbs and spice plus a touch of flinty reduction – very expressive but not at all vulgar or overwrought. The palate has great fruit definition, a lovely line of acidity and finish that is long and dry. Precisely made, the whole very much more than the sum of the parts."

- Christian Eedes

Tim Atkin, MW

96

"Rocking Horse showcases John Seccombe's skills as a blender, combining Roussanne with 68% Semillon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Clairette Blanche from the Ceres Plateau, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, the Swartland and the Voor Paardeberg. Nutmeg, fennel and candle wax aromas segue into a palate of pear, lemon and lime, with a hint of stone fruit sweetness and a chiselled finish. 2023-29"

- Tim Atkin, MW

Wine Spectator

91

"This elegant white is creamy on the palate, with juicy succulence and a lively streak of salinity winding through and driving the lingering finish. Offers an appealing mesh of ripe melon, honeysuckle, beeswax and macadamia nut. Roussanne, Sémillon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Clairette Blanche. Drink now through 2026. 1,000 cases made, 350 cases imported."

- Alison Napjus
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Producer


Thorne & Daughters

Region


Western Cape

Country


South Africa

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