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Thorne & Daughters

2021

‘Tin Soldier’

Sémillon   |   Swartland - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

If one goes back 100 years, the reality is that Sémillon was responsible for probably 95% of the wine made in South Africa. Research suggests that the red mutation may at one time have been even more common than the white. John is extremely fascinated by the idea of the kind of wines that would have been made in the old days using these mixed vineyards, and this led him to the idea of fermenting the grapes on their skins for a few days. The block has been established from a sélection massale of Sémillon Gris cuttings from the Kweperfontein block, planted in 1964. ‘Tin Soldier’, like all of Thorne & Daughters’ wines take its name from children’s’ toys and this references Sémillon’s status as the old foot soldier of the South African industry.

The fruit is handpicked roughly half is gently whole-bunch pressed directly to barrel and the remaining fruit was whole-bunch fermented on skins with gentle foot stomping to kick start things. After a little over a week the skin fermented portion is pressed off using only the free run juice and blended with the barrel fermenting portion. The extraction is managed very carefully to retain a delicacy in the wine, while bringing out a lot of complexity. Following nine months in wood the wine is racked to tank to settle and bottled with a crossflow filtration and just a small sulfur addition. No fining.

 

 

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Sémillon Gris
  • Vineyard: Kweperfontein Vineyard off of the Waterval Farm - farmed by Franzika Wickens (Siebritskloof, Paardeberg)
  • Vine Age: 9-years-old
  • Soil Type: Decomposed granite intermixed with clay
  • Viticulture: Practicing Organic
  • Fermentation: Native – 55% directly pressed to old, neutral oak vats - 45% skin macerated for 7-10 days with pigeage
  • Skin Contact: 45% for 7-10 days
  • Aging: 9 months in neutral French oak (228 to 300L barrels)
  • Alcohol: 12.35%
  • pH: 3.34
  • Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L
  • Total SO2: 74 ppm
  • Total Production: 183 cases
  • UPC: 606110152402

Tasting Note

The interplay between savory 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.

Press & Reviews

Tim Atkin, MW

94

"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. 2022-26"

- Tim Atkin, MW

The WineMag

95

"From Swartland Semillon Gris, 50% fermented on the skins for one week. Complex aromatics of potpourri, citrus, peach, some nuttiness and spice. The palate shows great fruit depth matched by tangy acidity, the finish gently savoury. A wine full of captivating detail."

- Christian Eedes

Vinous

91

"The 2021 Tin Soldier is 100% Semillon Gris, a selection massal from Paper Kite Vineyard, 50% fermented on the skin. Yellow plum, peach skin and candle wax on the pithy nose, this is nicely defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a lightly spiced entry, stone fruit and hints of apricot lead to a neutral finish. Lovely."

- Neal Martin
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Producer


Thorne & Daughters

Region


Swartland

Country


South Africa

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