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Thorne & Daughters

2022

‘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 and is composed of a number of carefully selected vineyard sites throughout the Western Cape. This year (2022), Sémillon is the major grape in the blend, followed by an almost equal part of Roussanne, and then smaller parts of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Clairette Blanche. As 2022 marks their decennial vintage, Rocking Horse continues to be what wine writer Christian Eedes calls “something of an institution” as one of the best-value Cape White Blend offerings on the market today.

The harvesting challenge in 2022 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). All the ferments were on full solids, and there was no skin contact this year. 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: 35% Sémillon - 28% Roussanne - 14% Chenin Blanc - 13% Chardonnay - 10% Clairette Blanche
  • Vineyard: Stellenbosch/ & Voor Paardeberg (Roussanne) - Franschhoek & Swartland (Sémillon) - Swartland (Chenin Blanc) - Ceres Plateau (Chardonnay) - Worcester (Clairette)
  • Vine Age: 10-60-years-old
  • Soil Type: Decomposed Granite - Iron-rich shale - Alluvial - Sandstone
  • Viticulture: Sustainable
  • Fermentation: Native – neutral French barrels (228-600 L)
  • Aging: 9 months on the lees in neutral French barrels
  • Alcohol: 13.2%
  • pH: 3.28
  • Total Acidity: 6.4 g/L
  • Total SO2: 65 ppm
  • Total Production: 1,500 cases
  • UPC: 0737186496906

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

96

"35% Semillon, 28% Roussanne, 14% Chenin Blanc, 13% Chardonnay and 10% Clairette Blanc sourced from across the Cape. Expressive aromatics including citrus, apple, peach, straw and fynbos, the merest hint of reduction and some nutty, earthy base notes. Excellent fruit expression and crisp acidity before a finish that is long and dry. Super-detailed as always."

- Christian Eedes

Tim Atkin, MW

95

"Rocking Horse affords John Seccombe the chance to show his skills as a blender. Based on Semillon, with the remaining 65% made up of Roussanne, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Clairette Blanche, this seven vineyard cuvée uses grapes from five different regions. Pithy, tangy and very lightly wooded, it has wet stone, quince and green apple flavours and a twist of orange zest. 2024-28"

- Tim Atkin, MW

Vinous

90

"The 2020 Rocking Horse is a blend of 35% Sémillon, 28% Roussanne, 16% Chardonnay, 15% Chenin Blanc and 6% Clairette Blanche, whole-bunch-pressed and matured in used oak. It has a well-defined, flor-like bouquet offering brioche, grilled walnut, bales of straw and smoke. The fabulous palate presents a sensual honeyed texture effortlessly counterbalanced by acidity. Very harmonious, revealing dried honey, walnut and ginger on the finish. This is a masterclass in winemaking and it will age brilliantly in bottle... if you can resist pulling that cork."

- Neal Martin
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Producer


Thorne & Daughters

Region


Western Cape

Country


South Africa

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