Thistledown, Gorgeous Old Vine Shiraz, South Australia, Australia, 2023

Producer Profile
Masters of Wine, Giles Cooke & Fergal Tynan, founded Thistledown Wines in 2010 after discovering iconic vineyard sites in the McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills.
They make hand-made, small batch wines that perfectly illustrate the benefits of great sites and intelligent, minimalist winemaking.
Viticulture
The Shiraz was all picked from one old vineyard in the Riverland, a property that has been growing grapes since the early soldier settlements.
Winemaking
A small proportion of Zibibbo, otherwise known as Muscat, was co-fermented using wild yeasts. A short ageing in old French oak followed by bottling young to preserve the hugely aromatic, textural deliciousness that was sought from the outset.
Tasting Note
Excited by the response they got from the Gorgeous Grenache, they have taken a similarly left-field take on Shiraz by taking old vines and co-fermenting with a little Zibibbo to make a delicious, but very different Shiraz. On the nose there are peaches, ripe nectarine, wild raspberry and a little spice. The palate is soft and slurpy, the texture silky and any tannins just add a little seasoning – like macerated strawberries and black pepper. Turning a previously undervalued resource into something that is hugely enjoyable and ultimately gorgeous.
Food Matching
Roasted lamb, beef stews and strong hard cheeses.
Shiraz 87%
Zibibbo 13%
Oak Ageing:
Time:
1 Month
Type:
French Oak
% wine oaked:
100
% new oak:
None
Vegetarian
Vegan
14%
Closure
Screw cap
Colour
Red
Still wine
Case Size
12 x 75cl