Thistledown, The Quickening Shiraz, Eden & Ebenezer, Barossa Valley, South Australia, 2019

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 Treatment

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

Tasting Note

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
Beheading an ‘immortal’ producers a burst of energy called a ‘Quickening’. Not to be confused with ‘The Pentaveret’, who run everything in the world, including the newspapers. Cool fragrance of dried flowers, sage and thyme, black fruit and spice. It’s kind of juicy in the blackcurrant and blackberry department, with well-knit tannin giving a confident but gentle grip, fresh feel, and a long and subtly mentholated peppery finish. Very nice. You could well crave it fortnightly. 94 Points, GW
James Suckling 93 Points
A smoothly delivered shiraz that has deep, fleshy and seductive appeal. The fresh blackberry, plum and mulberry aromas are nicely dosed with oak spice and deliver such soft, smooth style on the palate. Really effortless drinkability. Drink now. Screw cap. 93 Points, NS