Wine prices
| Reference | Vintage / size | Price / bottle | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Producer priceRecommended retail price | 2025 / 750ml | ≈ $27.69Original ZAR 455.00≈ €24.64 · £20.81 | www.exanimo.co.za ↗ |
| Producer priceRecommended retail price | 2024 / 750ml | ≈ $27.69Original ZAR 455.00≈ €24.64 · £20.81 | www.exanimo.co.za ↗ |
| Producer priceRecommended retail price | 2019 / 750ml | ≈ $27.69Original ZAR 455.00≈ €24.64 · £20.81 | www.exanimo.co.za ↗ |
2025 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.1%
Residual Sugar 2.1 g/L
pH 3.26
Total Acidity 5.8 g/L
Calories (estimated) 100 kcal / glass
150ml glass100 kcal
750ml bottle500 kcal
Grape Varieties Semillon gris, 100%
Classification Wine of Origin Swartland
Region Swartland
Soil Granite sands; described more specifically as poor paardeberg granite soils
Vine Age 12 years old
Fermentation Vessels Old oak barrels for the directly pressed portion; open vats for the skin-fermented portion
Pressing Method Approximately 50% Directly Pressed
Oak Types old oak
Production Details Approximately half the grapes are directly pressed and fermented in old oak barrels. The other half receives 7–10 days of skin fermentation in open vats. The components are blended later to balance aromatic lift, texture, tannin and savoury character.
Tasting Notes Nose: nutmeg, mandarin peel, dried apricots. Palate: ripe quince, red apple skin, litchi, oatmeal-like creaminess, blood-orange-zest acidity; grippy, crunchy finish.
2024 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.85%
Residual Sugar 3.1 g/L
pH 3.2
Total Acidity 6.1 g/L
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Semillon Gris
Semillon Gris100%
Region Swartland
Soil Granite
Harvest Dates latter part of our season
Vine Age 11 years old
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel, Open Vat
Maceration 7 days
Production Details Tin Soldier is a partially skin-fermented wine made from Semillon gris, which is almost unique to South Africa, and a vestige of a time when Semillon was the grape on which the South African wine industry was built. The vineyard has been established from a selection massale of Semillon gris cuttings taken from an adjacent vineyard of Semillon that was planted in 1963. The colour of the wine is unusual, having taken some bright copper tones from about a week’s fermentation on skins. This wine is composed of a portion of grapes which are pressed to old oak barrels and another portion which is fermented on skins (no stems) for 7-10 days in open vats. Later in the year we play a little with these blending components to get the texture and weight of the wine just right. The interplay of fruit and aromatic lift from the direct pressed wines, and the savoury tones from the skin-fermentation is key to this wine’s appeal. If we go back 100 years, Semillon was responsible for probably 95% of the wine made in this country. Tim James’ research on the variety suggests that the red mutation may at one time have been even more common than the white. I’m really 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 me to the idea of fermenting the grapes on their skins for a few days to bring out more of the colour and texture of this wonderful grape. All of our wines take their names from archetypal childrens’ toys, and Tin Soldier takes its name from Semillon’s status as the old footsoldier of the South African industry. Much like the old toy soldiers buried in the garden, Semillon has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former glory days in the Cape.
Tasting Notes
Nose: ripe apricot, Thai basil, nutmeg, toasted pistachio, baklava, gingerbread, tangerine rind, blood orange, flint
Palate: yellow apples, crème caramel, orange cake, quince, rooibos tea
Sources: www.thorneanddaughters.com ↗ · Compare this vintage
2023 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.38%
Residual Sugar 2.5 g/L
pH 3.19
Total Acidity 6.7 g/L
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Semillon Gris
Semillon Gris100%
Region Swartland
Soil Granite sands
Vine Age 10 years old
Maceration 7 days
Extended Maceration Yes
Production Details Tin Soldier is a skin-fermented wine made from Semillon gris. The vineyard has been established from a sélection massale of Semillon gris cuttings taken from an adjacent vineyard of Semillon that was planted in 1963. The colour of the wine is unusual, having taken some bright copper tones from about a week’s fermentation on skins. The extraction is managed very carefully to retain a delicacy in the wine, while bringing out a lot of complexity. Through the years we have also included a portion of the wine that is directly whole-bunch pressed with no skin fermentation. This portion helps to lift the aromatic profile of the wine, and achieve this wonderful interplay of fruit and savoury tones. For the 2023 wine, we have continued with our efforts to get a little bit more ripeness in the glass here. We needed to push through the late season rain a bit, but dry growing conditions meant that the blocks dried up quickly and there was no ill effect for the grapes.
Tasting Notes
Nose: ripe apricot, Thai basil, nutmeg, toasted pistachio, baklava, gingerbread, tangerine rind, dried apricots, rust
Palate: apples, crème caramel, orange cake, dry, grippy, quince, rooibos tea
Sources: www.thorneanddaughters.com ↗ · Compare this vintage
2022 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.8%
Residual Sugar 2.3 g/L
pH 3.24
Total Acidity 5.9 g/L
Calories (estimated) 105 kcal / glass
150ml glass105 kcal
750ml bottle525 kcal
Grape Varieties Semillon Gris
Semillon Gris100%
Region Swartland
Soil Granite sands
Vine Age 9 years old
Maceration 7 days
Production Details Tin Soldier is a skin-fermented wine made from Semillon gris, which is almost unique to South Africa, and a vestige of a time when Semillon was the grape on which the South African wine industry was built. The vineyard has been established from a selection massale of Semillon gris cuttings taken from an adjacent vineyard of Semillon that was planted in 1964. The colour of the wine is unusual, having taken some bright copper tones from about a week's fermentation on skins. Over the past couple of years, we have dialled the ripeness up a notch, making for a more complete and "grown-up" wine. The interplay between savoury and sweet is a key point of interest in Tin Soldier, and makes for a subtle and engaging wine. The one thing we wanted to avoid here was making a gimmick wine. In the run up to our first harvest of this wine, we were still considering what our approach might be to this unique varietal. While sampling the vineyard and tasting the grapes, we hit on the idea of fermenting it on skins to bring out the wonderful skin tannins and hopefully extract some of that beautiful colour. The extraction is managed very carefully to retain a delicacy in the wine, while bringing out a lot of complexity. Through the years we have also included a portion of the wine that is directly whole-bunch pressed with no skin fermentation. This portion helps to lift the aromatic profile of the wine, and achieve this wonderful interplay of fruit and savoury tones. It is truly a wine we love. All of our wines take their names from archetypal childrens' toys, and Tin Soldier takes its name from Semillon's status as the old footsoldier of the South African industry. Much like the old toy soldiers buried in the garden, Semillon has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former glory days in the Cape.
Tasting Notes
Nose: ripe apricot, Thai basil, nutmeg, toasted pistachio, baklava
Palate: fresh, salty olive brine, bitter citrus
2021 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.35%
Residual Sugar 2.2 g/L
pH 3.35
Total Acidity 5.2 g/L
Calories (estimated) 105 kcal / glass
150ml glass105 kcal
750ml bottle525 kcal
Grape Varieties Semillon Gris
Semillon Gris100%
Region Swartland
Soil Granite sands
Production Details The wine is a skin-fermented wine made from Semillon gris, which is almost unique to South Africa, and a vestige of a time when Semillon was the grape on which the South African wine industry was built. The vineyard has been established from a selection massale of Semillon gris cuttings taken from an adjacent vineyard of Semillon that was planted in 1964. The colour of the wine is unusual, having taken some bright copper tones from about a week's fermentation on skins. We continually aim to improve our winemaking and patience at picking time has allowed us to pick wines just that little bit riper and more complex without losing the elegance that this vineyard produces. The interplay between savoury 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. If we go back 100 years, Semillon was responsible for probably 95% of the wine made in this country. Tim James' research on the variety suggests that the red mutation may at one time have been even more common than the white. I'm really 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 me to the idea of fermenting the grapes on their skins for a few days. The one thing we wanted to avoid here, was making a 'gimmick' wine. In the run up to our first harvest of this wine, we were still considering what our approach might be to this unique varietal. While sampling the vineyard and tasting the grapes, we hit on the idea of fermenting it on skins to bring out the wonderful skin tannins and hopefully extract some of that beautiful colour. The extraction is managed very carefully to retain a delicacy to the wine, while bringing out a lot of complexity. Through the years we have also included a portion of the wine that is directly whole-bunch pressed with no skin fermentation. This portion helps to lift the aromatic profile of the wine, and achieve this wonderful interplay of fruit and savoury tones. It is truly a wine we love. All of our wines take their names from archetypal childrens' toys, and Tin Soldier takes its name from Semillon's status as the old footsoldier of the South African industry. Much like the old toy soldiers buried in the garden, Semillon has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former glory days in the Cape.
Tasting Notes
Nose: crushed rooibos leaves, warm toast, ruby grapefruit
Palate: spiced apple, loose leaf tea
Sources: thorneanddaughters.com ↗ · Compare this vintage
2020 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.23%
Residual Sugar 2.5 g/L
pH 3.26
Total Acidity 5.8 g/L
Calories (estimated) 105 kcal / glass
150ml glass105 kcal
750ml bottle525 kcal
Grape Varieties Semillon Gris
Semillon Gris100%
Region Swartland
Soil Granite sands
Vine Age planted 1964
Fermentation Vessels Skin-Fermented Wine
Maceration 7 days
Production Details The colour of the wine is unusual, having taken some bright copper tones from about a week's fermentation on skins. The nose is expressive with spice, sweet papaya, ginger, citrus peel and marzipan notes. Over the past couple of years, we have dialled the ripeness up a notch, making for a more complete and "grown-up" wine, which we feel is in a very good space with the 2020 edition. The interplay between savoury and sweet is a key point of interest in Tin Soldier, and makes for a subtle and engaging wine. The wine shows aromas of orange blossom, tomato leaf and ginger biscuits. The palate is rich, textured and long with notes of lime peel and toffee apple. The one thing we wanted to avoid here, was making a 'gimmick' wine. In the run up to our first harvest of this wine, we were still considering what our approach might be to this unique varietal. Whilst sampling the vineyard and tasting the grapes, we hit on the idea of fermenting it on skins to bring out the wonderful skin tannins and hopefully extract some of that beautiful colour. The extraction is managed very carefully to retain a delicacy in the wine, while bringing out a lot of complexity. Through the years we have also included a portion of the wine that is directly whole-bunch pressed with no skin fermentation. This portion helps to lift the aromatic profile of the wine, and achieve this wonderful interplay of fruit and savoury tones. It is truly a wine we love.
Tasting Notes
Nose: spice, sweet papaya, ginger, citrus peel, marzipan, orange blossom, tomato leaf, ginger biscuits
Palate: lime peel, toffee apple
Sources: thorneanddaughters.com ↗ · Compare this vintage
2019 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.22%
Residual Sugar 2.1 g/L
pH 3.26
Total Acidity 5.6 g/L
Calories (estimated) 100 kcal / glass
150ml glass100 kcal
750ml bottle500 kcal
Grape Varieties Semillon Gris
Semillon Gris100%
Region Swartland
Maceration 4 days
Production Details The wine is a skin-fermented wine made from Semillon gris, which is almost unique to South Africa, and a vestige of a time when Semillon was the grape on which the South African wine industry was built. The vineyard has been established from a selection massale of Semillon gris cuttings, taken from an adjacent vineyard of Semillon that was planted in 1964. The colour of the wine is unusual, having taken some bright copper tones from about a week's fermentation on skins. The nose is expressive with spice, sweet papaya, ginger, citrus peel and marzipan notes. Over the past couple of years, we have dialled the ripeness up a notch, making for a more complete and "grown-up" wine, which we feel is in a very good space with the 2019 edition. The interplay between savoury and sweet is a key point of interest in Tin Soldier, and makes for a subtle and engaging wine. On the nose there is oyster shell, peach kernel and buttered toast. The palate is finely structured, with fresh acidity and full flavours of cape gooseberries, sesame seeds and Oolong tea. It is dry and delicate, while at the same time showing a core of richness and depth. The winemakers wanted to avoid making a 'gimmick' wine. In the run up to the first harvest of this wine, they were still considering what approach might be to this unique varietal. While sampling the vineyard and tasting the grapes, they hit on the idea of fermenting it on skins, bringing out the wonderful skin tannins and hopefully extract some of that wonderful colour. The extraction is managed very carefully to retain a delicacy in the wine, while bringing out a lot of complexity. Through the years they have also included a portion of the wine that is directly whole-bunch pressed with no skin fermentation. This portion helps to lift the aromatic profile of the wine, and achieve this wonderful interplay of fruit and savoury tones that they enjoy in the wine. It is truly a wine they love. All of their wines take their names from archetypal childrens' toys, and Tin Soldier takes its name from Semillon's status as the old footsoldier of the South Africa industry. Much like the old toy soldiers buried in the garden, Semillon has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former glory days in the Cape.
Sources: thorneanddaughters.com ↗ · Compare this vintage
2018 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.62%
Residual Sugar 2.31 g/L
pH 3.49
Total Acidity 5.06 g/L
Calories (estimated) 105 kcal / glass
150ml glass105 kcal
750ml bottle525 kcal
Grape Varieties Semillon Gris
Semillon Gris100%
Region Swartland
Soil Granite sands
Vine Age 6 years old
Maceration 7 days
Production Details The wine is a skin-fermented Semillon gris. The vineyard was established from a sélection massale of Semillon gris cuttings taken from an adjacent vineyard of Semillon that was planted in 1964. The extraction is managed very carefully to retain a delicacy in the wine, while bringing out a lot of complexity.
Tasting Notes
Nose: spice, sweet papaya, ginger, citrus, marzipan
Palate: citrus, light red fruits, dry, delicate, richness, depth
Sources: thorneanddaughters.com ↗ · Compare this vintage
2017 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.74%
Residual Sugar 1.7 g/L
pH 3.5
Total Acidity 5.8 g/L
Calories (estimated) 105 kcal / glass
150ml glass105 kcal
750ml bottle525 kcal
Grape Varieties Semillon Gris
Semillon Gris100%
Region Swartland
Soil Alluvial soils
Maceration 5 days
Unfined Yes
Unfiltered Yes
Production Details The wine is a skin-fermented wine made from Semillon gris, which is almost unique to South Africa, and a vestige of a time when Semillon was the grape on which the South African wine industry was built. The vineyard has been established from a selection massale of Semillon gris cuttings taken from an adjacent vineyard of Semillon that was planted in 1964. The colour of the wine is unusual, having taken some bright copper tones from about a week's fermentation on skins. The nose is soft with spice, subtle red fruit, citrus peel and marzipan. Notes on the palate there is bay leaf, peach skin, rose hip, greengage and warm spices, all highlighted by the wine's fine structure. Compared to previous incarnations of this wine, we have dialled the ripeness up a notch, making for a more complete and "grown-up" wine. The interplay between savoury and sweet is a key point of interest in Tin Soldier, and makes for a subtle and engaging wine. It is dry and delicate, while at the same time showing a core of richness and depth. This wine is bottled with no fining or filtration so a natural sediment will occur in the bottle. If we go back 100 years, Semillon was responsible for probably 95% of the wine made in this country. Tim James' research on the variety suggests that the red mutation may at one time have been even more common than the white. I'm really 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 me to the idea of fermenting the grapes on their skins for a few days. The one thing we wanted to avoid here, was making a 'gimmick' wine. In the run up to our first harvest of this wine, we were still considering what our approach might be to this unique varietal. While sampling the vineyard and tasting the grapes, we hit on the idea of fermenting it on skins to bring out the wonderful skin tannins and hopefully extract some of that wonderful colour. The extraction is managed very carefully to retain a delicacy in the wine, while bringing out a lot of complexity. It is truly a wine we love. All of our wines take their names from archetypal childrens' toys, and Tin Soldier takes its name from Semillon's status as the old footsoldier of the South African industry. Much like the old toy soldiers buried in the garden, Semillon has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former glory days in the Cape.
Sources: thorneanddaughters.com ↗ · Compare this vintage
2016 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 11.8%
Residual Sugar 2.2 g/L
pH 3.43
Total Acidity 5.4 g/L
Calories (estimated) 100 kcal / glass
150ml glass100 kcal
750ml bottle500 kcal
Grape Varieties Semillon Blanc, Semillon Gris
Semillon Blanc50%
Semillon Gris50%
Region Swartland
Soil Alluvial soils
Production Details Tin Soldier is a skin-fermented field blend of Semillon blanc and Semillon gris. Semillon gris is almost unique to South Africa, and a vestige of a time when Semillon was the grape on which the South African wine industry was built. The colour of the wine is unusual, having taken some bright copper tones from its time on skins. The nose is striking, with a briney, oyster-bed note coming out under subtle red fruit, citrus peel and red and white peppercorn notes. The interplay between savoury and sweet is a key point of interest in Tin Soldier, and makes for a subtle and engaging wine. The palate is finely structured, with fresh acidity and full flavours of strawberry leaf, sweet herbs and pink peppercorn. It is dry and delicate, while at the same time showing a core of richness and depth. Semillon was responsible for probably 95% of the wine made in this country 100 years ago. Tim James' research on the variety suggests that the red mutation may at one time have been even more common than the white. I'm really 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 me to the idea of fermenting a blend of the white and red Semillon. The one thing we wanted to avoid here, was making a 'gimmick' wine. In the run up to our first harvest of this wine, we were still considering what our approach might be to this unique varietal. While sampling the vineyard and tasting the grapes, we hit on the idea of fermenting white and red Semillon together on their skins to bring out its wonderful skin tannins and hopefully to trace some of that wonderful colour. The extraction is managed very carefully to retain a delicacy in the wine, while bringing out a lot of complexity. All of our wines take their names from archetypal childrens' toys, and Tin Soldier takes its name from Semillon's status as the old footsoldier of the South African industry. Much like the old toy soldiers buried in the garden, Semillon has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former glory days in the Cape.
Sources: thorneanddaughters.com ↗ · Compare this vintage
2015 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.5%
Residual Sugar 1.9 g/L
pH 3.51
Total Acidity 4.9 g/L
Calories (estimated) 105 kcal / glass
150ml glass105 kcal
750ml bottle525 kcal
Grape Varieties Semillon Blanc, Semillon Gris
Semillon Blanc
Semillon Gris
Region Swartland
Soil Alluvial soils
Sites Franschhoek, Swartland
Vine Age 32 years old, 4 years old
Production Details The colour of the wine is unusual, having taken some bright copper tones from its time on skins. The nose is striking, with a briney, oyster-bed note coming out under subtle red fruit, citrus peel and red and white peppercorn notes. The interplay between savoury and sweet is a key point of interest in Tin Soldier, and makes for a subtle and engaging wine. The palate is finely structured, with fresh acidity and full flavours of strawberry leaf, sweet herbs and pink peppercorn. It is dry and delicate, while at the same time showing a core of richness and depth. The Semillon gris appeals to me simply because it is incredibly South African in that no significant plantings are found anywhere else in the world. As it is, it is extremely rare now in South African vineyards, and we were obliged to pick small amounts from vines dotted around in an old white Semillon vineyard. The one thing I wanted to avoid was making a 'gimmick' wine. In the run up to the first harvest I was still considering what my approach might be and while walking through the vineyard and tasting the grapes, I began to formulate an idea of fermenting white and red Semillon together on their skins to build a structure into the wine and hopefully extract some of that wonderful colour. Fermenting a white wine on skins extracts some grape tannins which a lot of modern white winemaking tends to avoid. It's truly a wine we love. All of our wines take their names from archetypal childrens' toys, and Tin Soldier takes its name from Semillon's status as the old footsoldier of the South African Industry. Much like the old toy soldiers buried in the garden, Semillon has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former glory days in the Cape.
Tasting Notes
Nose: briney, oyster-bed, red fruit, citrus peel, red peppercorn, white peppercorn
Palate: strawberry leaf, sweet herbs, pink peppercorn
Sources: thorneanddaughters.com ↗ · Compare this vintage
2013 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.13%
Residual Sugar 2.1 g/L
pH 3.52
Total Acidity 4.8 g/L
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Semillon Blanc, Semillon Gris
Semillon Blanc100%
Semillon Gris100%
Region Swartland
Soil Alluvial soils
Vine Age 30 years old
Production Details The wine is made from a field blend of white and red Semillon grapes. Red Semillon (or Semillon gris) is a natural mutation of white Semillon that is still found in small pockets of Semillon vineyards in the Cape. The winemakers fermented white and red Semillon together on their skins to build a structure into the wine and extract some of the wonderful color. Fermenting a white wine on skins extracts grape tannins, which was managed carefully to retain delicacy while bringing out complexity.
Tasting Notes
Nose: briney, oyster-bed, red fruit, licorice, white pepper
Palate: strawberry leaf, sweet herbs, pink peppercorn
Sources: thorneanddaughters.com ↗ · Compare this vintage
Producer Information
Website
Owner
John and Tasha Seccombe
Cellarmaster
John Seccombe