Gorgeous Old Vine Small Batch Shiraz 2022 (Australia)   

Description

Blackberry, Cherry, Mocha

“It's finely scented on the nose, showing dark berry, rich floral, clove and star anise aromas with a hint of hazelnut. The palate displays soothing mouthfeel combined with juicy fruit intensity, finishing lingering and velvety. At its best: now to 2032” Sam Kim, Wine Orbit.

“All Riverland fruit, with a heritage property supplying the shiraz. A dollop of old-vine zibibbo and a smidgeon of fiano were co-fermented, serving lift and perfume. This has some throaty warmth to it, yet the extraction regime was clearly whole-berry gentle, so easy is this to drink. Mindless, in the very best way. It avoids the bane of excessive reduction, ploughing cinnamon stick, clove, cardamon, bergamot and bing cherry lines across a drift of gentle tannic grip" Ned Goodwin, Master of Wine, James Halliday’s Wine Companion

“Intense, silken-textured red with mellow chocolate/mocha, and ripe plum and dark cherry flavours. Impressive density and drinkability. A nicely balanced wine that’s ready to drink” Bob Campbell, Master of Wine

“Not your average 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.” Giles Cook, Master of Wine

Frustrated with the stereotype of Australian wine as big, alcoholic, and unsuited to premium restaurants Thistledown Wines was founded in 2010 by Giles Cooke, Master of Wine with the help ASVO Winemaker of the Year Peter Leske.Sourced from very old vines in South Australia known as “soldier blocks.” These blocks date back to World War I and World War II when the Australian government gifted land to returning soldiers to help them get back on their feet. Shiraz is co-fermented using indigenous yeast with an innovative dash of the white grapes Zibibbo (11%) and Fiano (3%), to create a fragrant, silky smooth, beautifully textured wine aged for a short period in old French oak.

Food Pairing: Perfect with lamb, beef and venison, sauteed mushroom, grilled Mediterranean vegetables.