Thistledown, Bachelor's Block Single Site Shiraz, Ebenezer, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia, 2022

Producer Profile

Thistledown was founded by Master of Wine, Giles Cooke who had a vision for a more elegant, textural interpretation of Australian wine.

Initial explorations resulted in access to many of the best vineyards, many of which were the previously unloved Old Vine Grenache. Incredible, historic fruit sources coupled with Giles’ increasingly adept efforts has quickly resulted in a reputation for being amongst the best in the country. Narrating the stories of these wines to an increasingly attentive global audience is Giles’ heartfelt commitment and mission.

Viticulture

These 25 year old trellised vines are planted on deep, iron rich clay loams, studded with quartz and ironstone. We're familiar with this fruit and so the aim was to maximise the potential of the site. As ever, they hand-picked relatively early in order to preserve the fresher aromatics.

Winemaking

The fruit was left to cold soak for a couple of days before the natural fermentation began. They used approx 35% whole bunches in the ferment, which was hand plunged twice daily. Post ferment maceration lasted a further 5 days before pressing to 300 litre French hogsheads - where it lay for 14 months before bottling.

Tasting Note

A complex and savoury nose with hints of graphite, liquorice, spice and blackberry. The palate is well balanced with dense, smoky black fruits and beautifully polished, glossy tannins that provide a mouthfilling yet succulent, energetic finish.

Food Matching

Braised ox cheeks, roast rib of beef.

Awards

James Halliday 95 Points
This is exceptional from first whiff. Full bodied, to be sure, yet the handling accentuates a furled tannic kit, quality oak and savvy work with whole bunches (35%) delivering a savoury tour de force iterated as black olive pith, tar, blood, clove, aniseed, mace and a ferrous underbelly of ironstone echoing the site. The mid-palate slips into the girth of Barossa, imparting sweet purple fruits and weight. It is always easy, of course, to want less of what is on offer given a region's tendency toward fruity, heavy wines, yet the thrum of energy here delivers length, welcome restraint and serious complexity. The nose alone is worth the price! 95 Points, NG(MW) August 2023.
James Suckling 94 Points
This is a full-weighted wine drawn taut by peppery, sinewy tannins, meshed with an uncanny vibrato of freshness. Pointed accents of lilac, crushed musk, green and black peppercorn, a swirl of blue fruit allusions and a clench of reduction, evincing tension to the finish. Nothing that a brisk decant won't fix. Better, mid-term aging. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 94 Points, JS, Nov 2023.
Robert Parker Wine Advocate 95 Points
The 2022 Bachelor's Block Ebenezer Shiraz is rich, dark and chocolaty on the nose, with raw cocoa, aniseed and clove, supported by a milk chocolate creaminess. The Ebenezer area in Barossa is known for full-bodied, full-flavor Shiraz that is black in both color and countenance, but almost mineral in that way. The tannins can be so firm as to be lean and graphite-y, while the fruit can display a particular type of restraint... although I do believe that is a niche viewpoint. Here, the wine is all crushed rocks and exotic spice, earthy tannins and meaty nuances, without transcending into full-blown meatiness. This is a wine so clearly from the place it is grown. It's a wonderful thing. 95 Points, EL.
Decanter 96 Points
'Sturdy black berries sourced from this single vineyard in the Ebenezer subregion have power, purpose and extraordinary clean, long flavours. This is serious, folks, as the fine-grained black tea tannins crowd around sharply defined berry flavours and taper the finish to a perfect soft landing. 96 Points, 2024.