Thistledown, Sands Of Time Single Vineyard Old Vine Grenache, Clarendon, Mclaren Vale, South Australia (150cl), 2024

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

Sourced from one single vineyard, planted 1952, the bush trained vines on pure sand yield up a wine of immense purity and power that is both light and intense at the same time.

Winemaking

The wine is vinified naturally in a concrete pyramid, where whole bunches are placed alternately with de‑stemmed berries to create a layered ‘cake’, with 33% whole bunch employed. A very gentle, slow fermentation follows, before the wine matures in both oak and concrete. After a meticulous selection, it is bottled unfined and unfiltered after ten months.

Tasting Note

Highly aromatic, offering scents of sandalwood, dried orange, violets and gentle wood spice on the nose, it leads into a palate that is at once elegant and vibrant, yet concentrated and enduring. Silky and seamless, it presents a glossy, deeply appealing mix of wild strawberry, violets and the faintest whisper of cinnamon and woodsmoke. Both achingly beautiful and effortlessly drinkable in equal measure.

Food matching

Beef casserole, coq au vin.