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Thorne & Daughters

2021

‘Wanderer’s Heart’

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

About

In the middle of 2016 John & Tasha commissioned a writer friend to write a series of short children’s stories about growing up on the Cape, and used those stories as the inspiration for the names for the red wines. This blend showcases the diversity across the Cape and after two vintages as a pure GSM blend, 2021 saw the introduction of a very small portion of Carignan. John makes the call for when to pick mostly on acidity, and this wine really highlights that, with plenty of freshness and vitality. Over the past few years, he has slowly dialed up the Syrah component in this wine to take advantage of these wonderful dark, peppery wines that compliment the other components so well. Grenache expresses place so well and delivers gritty tannins, Mourvèdre produces wild and idiosyncratic wines with a gentle generosity, and this year, Carignan adds craggy tannins and an ever-so-slight umami note.

This is a wine that features many of the best sites around the Cape. Not being held to a singular place, it really shines as layers of soils, grapes and climates meld. Each site is hand-picked and fermented separately. The grapes were fermented 50-100% whole cluster depending on site and fruit condition. After 40-45 days on skins the grapes were pressed to barrel. Post-ML the blends were trialed and finalized, and then racked back to barrel. After nine months in total it was racked to tank to be bottled without fining and with a gentle cross-flow filtration and a small addition of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 46% Syrah - 32% Grenache - 18% Mourvèdre - 4% Carignan
  • Vineyard: Overberg (Syrah) - Breedekloof (Syrah, Grenache, Carignan) - Bot River (Mourvèdre)
  • Vine Age: Syrah (average 12-years-old) - Grenache (10-years-old) - Mourvèdre (14-years-old) - Carignan (10-years-old)
  • Soil Type: Decomposed granite over pure granite (Swartland) - Bokkevald shale & gravel (Bot River) - shale & schist (Breedekloof)
  • Viticulture: Sustainable
  • Fermentation: Native – stainless-steel open-top 2 ton fermenters (50-100% whole cluster depending on site)
  • Skin Contact: 40-45 days
  • Aging: 9 months in neutral French barrels
  • Alcohol: 13.8%
  • pH: 3.42
  • Total Acidity: 6 g/L
  • Total SO2: 74 ppm
  • Total Production: 542 cases
  • UPC: 606110152402

Tasting Note

Aromas of red cherries, violets, and cinnamon on the nose with a feint hint of cassia bark. The wine is focused, with mulberries, black olive flesh and cedar wood on the nose. The tannins are supple and integrated into a fresh palate of cranberries and woody spices.

 

 

Press & Reviews

Vinous

93

"The 2021 Wanderer's Heart has turned from a Grenache to a more Syrah driven bouquet, matured for nine months in neutral barrel. With dark berry fruit, touches of garrigues and rose petals on the nose, this is succinct and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, very Old World driven with touches of black olive on the tangy finish. Lovely."

- Neal Martin

Tim Atkin, MW

93

"Wanderer's Heart is what John Seccombe describes as a "moving target", with different grape percentages from year to year. This 2021 is Syrah-based with 54% Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Carignan, combining grapes from Bot River and Breedekloof. Sappy, perfumed and red-fruited, with pepper and aromatic herb top notes, stony intensity and savoury tannins. 2023-28"

- Tim Atkin, MW

Wine Enthusiast

90

"This is a Syrah-based blend with Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan from vineyards all around the Western Cape. Aromas of licorice and cherry jam mark a pleasant nose. The savory palate offers notes of herbs, spices, plum and berries. Vigorous acidity keeps it fresh, while firm tannins provide a solid frame."

- Jesica Vargas
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Producer


Thorne & Daughters

Region


Western Cape

Country


South Africa

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