Thistledown, The Quickening Shiraz, Eden & Ebenezer, Barossa South Australia, 2020

Producer Profile

Ever since historic Scots, James Busby and John MacArthur founded the Australian wine industry in the early 19th century, the relationship between Scotland and Australia has been an enduring one.

Guardians of a long history, Thistledown Wine Co. continues the tradition of Scottish ingenuity and great Australian wine. From their small-batch winery in the idyllic Adelaide Hills, they work with pristine fruit sourced from iconic vineyard sites.

Viticulture

Joel Mattschoss' Eden Valley vineyard provides the majority of the fruit. This spectacular vineyard is planted on some of the most difficult, meagre soils of any we have seen. Littered with boulders composed of ironstone and pink quartz, it is a truly challenging site. Vineyards are trellised, cordon trained and spur pruned.

Winemaking

This wine is all about great fruit, picked at the right time. Frequent vineyard walks determines exactly the right time, the fruit full of energy. Wild fermented, using some whole bunch inclusion play their role in ensuring that this wine is full of bright, fleshy fruit with great texture and spice. Aged in French oak for 6 to 8 months prior to bottling.

Oak Ageing

Time: 6 Months
Type: French
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: None

Tasting Note

As life-forces stir, a connection is born and a personality created. The Quickening celebrates the vivifying power of nature. This is the Barossa reimagined. An exuberant outpouring of energy, captured within a sculptured framework that reflects the rugged yet beautiful landscape of its conception. A deliciously vibrant style of Barossa Shiraz with succulent raspberry and blackcurrant fruit, hints of spice and elegant, glossy texture.

Food Matching

Crispy aromatic duck, roast rib of beef.

Awards

The Wine Front 94 Points
Mainly Eden Valley, with a little bit from farther down the hill in the Barossa Valley. Ripe and spicy dark fruit, kind of like spicy fruit pillow biscuits in a way, also chocolate, with dried mint and sage perfume. It’s fleshy and deeply flavoured, some stony grip, juicy orange and a long fresh herb finish. Very good. 94 Points, GW
James Suckling 92 Points
This is an iteration of Barossa shiraz that delivers intensity of fruit and flavor, within a cleverly toned and tuned framework. Abundant aromas and flavors of red plums and raspberries, as well as some earthy and more savory tones. The pristine fruit is front and center. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 92 Points, NS
James Halliday 96 Points
Wild fermented with some whole-bunch inclusion; aged in French oak for 8 months. A striking wine, as juicy as quicksilver on the first whiff and taste, before the spicy, savoury whole-bunch nuances come into play. Has the X-factor. 96 Points, JH, Sepember 2022.
Robert Parkers The Wine Advocate 92+ Points
The fruit for this wine is traditionally sourced from Eden Valley and Ebenezer (down on the Valley floor), and the 2020 The Quickening Shiraz is imbued with a serious, brooding, earthy character. No surprise, given the regions! Despite the earthy framework, there is a freshness at the very heart of this wine (and abundant aromas too) that keeps the experience pleasurable and engaging. There is some black tea through the finish, which is a plus. Drink it in the short to medium term. 92+ Points, EL, September 2022.