Thorne & Daughters 'Wanderers Heart' Red Blend 2021

A distinctive Cape blend made from a collection of classic Rhône varieties, this puts Syrah up front, with Grenache, Mourvèdre, and a touch of Carignan lending support. Sourced from carefully selected vineyards across the Western Cape, each variety is grown in its ideal setting. Nine months in old oak lend subtle integration without overshadowing its character - liquorice and cherry jam on the nose, followed by a savoury palate layered with herbs, spice, plum, and dark berries. Bright acidity adds vibrancy, while firm tannins provide structure and depth. Elegant yet expressive, it's a wine with depth and a bit of edge.

Pair this with a beef stew and root veg or a rich shepherd's pie, where its warmth and depth match those hearty, savoury flavours a treat.

As they put it themselves, Thorne & Daughters aim to make wines with old-school simplicity and a modern edge. And they seem to be making a pretty good fist of it. John and Tasha Seccombe set up shop in 2012 with the goal of crafting wines that go beyond simple varietal expression - something more layered, textural, and distinctive. It's an approach that defines everything they produce, especially their superb flagship blends, Rocking Horse and Wanderer's Heart. Rather than owning vineyards, they work closely with growers across the Western Cape, selecting the best parcels of fruit to meet their exacting standards. It's a method that gives them both flexibility and consistency, and judging by the results, it's working a treat.