River Horse Selections
Thor Vintners 'Lara' Semillon 2023 750mL
Thor Vintners 'Lara' Semillon 2023 750mL
SOUTH AFRICA : WESTERN CAPE : FRANSCHHOEK
ORGANIC : Semillon
MED-BODIED, RIPE APRICOT, ORANGE PEEL, HONEYCOMB, VANILLA POD, OAK
Thor Vintners sources this Semillon from Glenwood Vineyards in Franschhoek — one of the variety's most storied terroirs in the Western Cape, where the Robertsvlei Valley's day-night temperature swings preserve acidity through full ripeness. The grapes were whole-bunch pressed, then held on fine yeast lees for eight months with full malolactic fermentation, building texture and mouthfeel without losing lift.
The oak approach is deliberate: rather than standard barriques, the wine aged in stainless steel tanks fitted with ceramic and fire-toasted French oak staves. The ceramic moderates extraction; the toasted oak introduces the spice and vanilla character without overwhelming the fruit. The result carries the weight of extended lees contact and the brightness you'd expect from this appellation.
PAIRINGS :
| Roasted chicken with cream sauce | MLF texture works with the cream; acidity lifts the dish |
| Poached salmon with beurre blanc | classic match for Western Cape Semillon; honeycomb and apricot read cleanly against the butter |
| Mushroom risotto | lees-derived weight and the honeysuckle finish pair well with earthiness and cream |
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