Thorne & Daughters Cat’s Cradle Chenin Blanc 2021

Swartland Chenin blanc needs no introduction, having long assumed its place among the world’s key expressions of Chenin blanc. Langkloof, where we source our grapes for this wine is an old bush vine Chenin blanc vineyard planted on the granite slopes of the Paardeberg that belongs to the Roussouw family.

Tasting Notes

This is a very clear and bright expression of Chenin blanc, with white currents, wax, sweet herbs and hay on the nose. The palate is poised and fresh with great concentration and “drive” from the vineyard. There are notes of subtle mineral tones, fennel bulb and nut flesh.

Tim Atkin: 95/100
“Very poor soils” is how John Seccombe describes this 1979 dry land vineyard on the Paardeberg. “You can’t push it.” His bony, chiselled Chenin Blanc flirts with austerity, but has wonderful freshness, precision and mouth-watering acidity. Spicy, earthy and pithy, with citrus, fennel and nutmeg flavours. 2023-30

Christian Eedes, WineMag.co.za, 94/100
Grapes from an old Swartland vineyard. The nose shows lime and white peach but also some intriguing oxidative notes including some bruised apple, nuts and spice. The palate has a dense core of fruit and snappy acidity – it comes across as quite tense and reticent now but should drink beautifully in two to five years’ time.

Perswijn 17/20
Geur: abrikoos, lemon curd, wilde kruiden
Smaak: krachtig, goed fruit, geweldige zuren, heel lang