THISTLEDOWN WINES The Distant Light Grenache Shiraz 2018
- SKU:
- 3656565
- UPC:
- 0852282002360
Thistle do nicely…
We’re super excited to have secured a small parcel of the rare wines produced by Thistledown in McLaren Vale. Thistledown Wines are rated as a five-star winery by James Halliday’s Wine Companion and one of the ‘Top Wineries’ in Australia by The Real Review. The wines are made in small batches by two Masters of Wine Giles Cooke and Fergal Tynan so the quality was always going to be exceptional. Throw in a little support from Peter Leske a consultant who has worked at Nepenthe Grosset and Domaine Dujac and you know you’re about to open something special.
The Grenache grape is undergoing a revival in part because of shifting trends and tastes but also because it’s faring better than many others against the backdrop of the climate crisis. Thistledown Wines are one of the leaders in this contemporary Grenache movement. But The Distant Light 2018 is a bit of an unusual one from them because although it has Grenache from McLaren Vale (Sue Trott’s Home Block in Blewitt Springs and Bernard Smart’s vineyard in Clarendon) there’s also 49% Shiraz from Barossa Valley (Adrian Hoffman’s Old Home Block Joel Mattschoss’ Shiraz on Menglers Hill and two blocks from Andy Kalleske in Koonunga and Ebenezer).
This vegan-friendly wine feels like a hug from an old friend or the comforting lights of home drawing closer after a long journey. Black cherry crème de cassis plum jam blackberry raspberry intense wild strawberry cedar fruity tagine rose harissa Chinese five spice autumn leaves bonfire smoke dried herbs and roasted meat; it really is that complex. As you’ll see the expert wine critics can’t quite decide which gets the upper hand the Grenache or the Shiraz. Personally we think that’s just because it’s so perfectly balanced…
95 points “This is seamless. Again the tannins maketh the wine: pithy taut and juicy. Gorgeous aromas of mottled red plum five-spice white pepper clove cardamon and kirsch expanding across the finish. Grenache the clear leader of the pack. For the better. Thrilling length. I'd drink this with youth on its side.” – James Halliday’s Wine Companion
95 points “Smoky-meaty oaky and slightly animal aromas with some age development evident. Touches of dark chocolate. The wine is drying and very savoury in the mouth some oak evident the aftertaste firm and very drying. Shiraz seems to be driving it rather than Grenache. Powerful finish and great length. It's a contrast to the usual Thistledown style and seems built for ageing. The solid backbone would be softened by a hearty meat dish.” – Huon Hooke The Real Review
95 points “All the berries exotic spice dried mint and sage musk and roses. Just over medium-bodied love the feel of the suede-like tannin ripe berries dried beef and grilled mushroom spicy perfumed and long to close. Classic feel to this and I’d say it will age pretty nicely too.” – The Wine Front
SKU No.: 3656565
Style No.: 870426
Region: South Australia
Grapes: Grenache,Shiraz/Syrah
Closure: Cork
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 14.5%
Volume: 750ml
Allergens: Sulphites
Thistle do nicely…
We’re super excited to have secured a small parcel of the rare wines produced by Thistledown in McLaren Vale. Thistledown Wines are rated as a five-star winery by James Halliday’s Wine Companion and one of the ‘Top Wineries’ in Australia by The Real Review. The wines are made in small batches by two Masters of Wine Giles Cooke and Fergal Tynan so the quality was always going to be exceptional. Throw in a little support from Peter Leske a consultant who has worked at Nepenthe Grosset and Domaine Dujac and you know you’re about to open something special.
The Grenache grape is undergoing a revival in part because of shifting trends and tastes but also because it’s faring better than many others against the backdrop of the climate crisis. Thistledown Wines are one of the leaders in this contemporary Grenache movement. But The Distant Light 2018 is a bit of an unusual one from them because although it has Grenache from McLaren Vale (Sue Trott’s Home Block in Blewitt Springs and Bernard Smart’s vineyard in Clarendon) there’s also 49% Shiraz from Barossa Valley (Adrian Hoffman’s Old Home Block Joel Mattschoss’ Shiraz on Menglers Hill and two blocks from Andy Kalleske in Koonunga and Ebenezer).
This vegan-friendly wine feels like a hug from an old friend or the comforting lights of home drawing closer after a long journey. Black cherry crème de cassis plum jam blackberry raspberry intense wild strawberry cedar fruity tagine rose harissa Chinese five spice autumn leaves bonfire smoke dried herbs and roasted meat; it really is that complex. As you’ll see the expert wine critics can’t quite decide which gets the upper hand the Grenache or the Shiraz. Personally we think that’s just because it’s so perfectly balanced…
95 points “This is seamless. Again the tannins maketh the wine: pithy taut and juicy. Gorgeous aromas of mottled red plum five-spice white pepper clove cardamon and kirsch expanding across the finish. Grenache the clear leader of the pack. For the better. Thrilling length. I'd drink this with youth on its side.” – James Halliday’s Wine Companion
95 points “Smoky-meaty oaky and slightly animal aromas with some age development evident. Touches of dark chocolate. The wine is drying and very savoury in the mouth some oak evident the aftertaste firm and very drying. Shiraz seems to be driving it rather than Grenache. Powerful finish and great length. It's a contrast to the usual Thistledown style and seems built for ageing. The solid backbone would be softened by a hearty meat dish.” – Huon Hooke The Real Review
95 points “All the berries exotic spice dried mint and sage musk and roses. Just over medium-bodied love the feel of the suede-like tannin ripe berries dried beef and grilled mushroom spicy perfumed and long to close. Classic feel to this and I’d say it will age pretty nicely too.” – The Wine Front
SKU No.: 3656565
Style No.: 870426