Riverland and McLaren Vale. All older vines, small batch ferments, some whole bunch, old oak. The first of the flotilla of Thistledown grenache bottlings. The everyday wine. You can bank that Giles Cooke sees it differently. It’s the greeting at the door, first impressions and all that. Sometimes the humblest wines need to be nailed to the nth degree. This does that, roiling with grenache flavour, fleshy but vibrant. Raspberry, maraschino, red licorice and some dark cherry fringed with dried Mediterranean herbs, red florals and peppery spice in a mid weight tenor. It’s a gateway drug for the grenache neophyte, or just a great drink. Though some may be tempted, it’s best not chilled.”
91 points & Value Star – Halliday Wine Companion
