Wild & Wilder, The Pugilist Cabernet Sauvignon, Langhorne Creek, South Australia, Australia, 2022

Producer Profile

by Thistledown is all about good, clean fun. Working hand-in-hand with their merry (in a good season) band of growers, they craft wines of supreme quality without taking it too seriously.

Their ethos is great fruit, grown by great people and made with love in the sure knowledge that wine is about the good times – delicious food and great memories. Founded by Giles Cooke MW and Fergal Tynan MW, who also make the Thistledown wines, ‘mundane’ is simply not in their DNA: being involved in every stage of the winemaking process, from bud burst to bottling, means that every bottle from by Thistledown is an experience you’ll want to savour again and again.

Viticulture

The Pugilist is sourced from vineyard sites in Langhorne Creek, sited above the flood plain. Soils are of sandy loam with some iron rich red soils. Trellised and spur pruned to produce low yields which ensure balance and flavour.

Winemaking

Precise varietal expression and balance are what is sought to achieve and so picking time is of utmost importance. They pick just as flavours are approaching their peak rather than let them get over-ripe and retain whole berries in the ferment for vibrancy and we press relatively early to avoid astringent tannins.

Tasting Note

Sometimes you’ve got to stick up for yourself… Fight for what is right in this world and uphold some good old fashioned values. Of course, one must always retain ones manners and obey the rules just ask the Pugilist. He’s powerful, thick-skinned but well-bred and with the manners and sense of fair play of a true gent. Benchmark Cabernet aromas of cassis, herbs and subtle hints of mocha. Lovely balance, rich fleshy fruit with a well structured, lengthy finish.

Food Matching

Wonderful with roast beef or grilled sirloin.