Thorne & Daughters Tin Soldier Semillon Gris 2023 750ml

Tin Soldier is a skin-fermented wine made from Semillon gris, a grape almost unique to South Africa and a remnant from when Semillon was the cornerstone of the South African wine industry. The vineyard was established from a sélection massale of Semillon gris cuttings taken from a nearby vineyard planted in 1963.

The wine’s color is distinctive, with bright copper tones derived from about a week’s fermentation on skins. It presents aromas of ripe apricot, Thai basil, nutmeg, and toasted pistachio, reminiscent of baklava. Recently, we have slightly increased the ripeness, creating a more complete and mature wine.

The subtle interplay between savory and sweet is a key feature of Tin Soldier, making it a nuanced and engaging wine. It offers complex aromas of gingerbread, tangerine rind, dried apricots, and rust. On the palate, you’ll find flavors of apples, crème caramel, and orange cake, while the dry and grippy tannins evoke quince and rooibos tea.