Here’s the full Vinous review:
The 2023 White Blend Rocking Horse Cape comes from several different parcels, each dedicated to a different variety, this year driven by 30% Roussanne and 28% Chenin Blanc. This is very nuanced on the nose, taking more time to unfold compared to the Cat's Cradle Chenin. Yellow fruit, Riesling-like petrol scents and crushed chalky notes emerge with time. The palate is very well balanced with a crisp line of acidity and superb weight. John Seccombe managed to combine these grape varieties without losing one iota of focus—tensile right to the finish. A level up from the 2022, this comes highly recommended.
And from British wine writer and Master of Wine Tim Atkin:
John Seccombe has got the blend down to a fine art here, combining Roussanne, 28% Chenin Blanc, 20% Chardonnay, 15% Semillon and 7% Clairette Blanche to make his "signature wine". Layered and complex, it has subtle aromatic spices, stony intensity, pear, citrus and quince flavours and a waxy mid palate. 2024-29
And from the British Cru:
Thorne & Daughters, helmed by winemaker John Seccombe, strikes a meticulous balance between tradition and innovation. Brought to the crush by horse and hand, the grapes are naturally fermented in old French oak barrels, ensuring each sip brims with distinguished character. The 2023 vintage mesmerises with its splashes of stone fruit and honeysuckle notes, enlivened by a flinty mineral core and delicate acidity. Incredibly versatile, Thorne & Daughters Rocking Horse 2023 pairs excellently with various culinary delights, making it a trophy piece for any wine lover's collection.
As industry publication SevenFifty said of the last vintage, this really does compare to white Rhones and Burgundies ten times its price!
