2023 Thistledown Thorny Devil Old Vine Grenache

A delicious old vine Grenache from McLaren Vale masters, Thistledown. Extreme value right here.
5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
1 Review

Price:
Sale price$33.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

The crew at Thistledown are Grenache-obsessed - they know how fantastic the McLaren Vale region is at producing stellar Grenache, and they sure love to show it off.

This is one old vine Grenache to really sink your teeth into. The fruit comes from multiple vineyards, each parcel vinified separately with around 30% whole bunches. It all comes together in a spectacular package, keeping the pureness of the fruit but with layers and layers of interest and finesse.

Such an excellent wine for the price point. The perfect way to dip a toe into the wonderful world of McLaren Vale Grenache without breaking the bank.

94 points
"Flavours skip through cranberry, wild raspberry, pomegranate and rose, with white pepper and cassia, the elevating quality the absence of easy juiciness with no loss of vibrancy."
- Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

93 points
"It’s medium-bodied, sappy cherry and coal dust, something a little ozone-like about it, with plump yet fine grained tannin grip, and a juicy finish of excellent length. Very nice. Fresh. Lively. Gustatory."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

93 points
"Almost like a Beaujolais, and yet there is plenty of tannic grit. Cranberry, white pepper, clove and dried thyme notes on a long, gentle finish. Delicious."
- Ned Goodwin MW (James Suckling)

93 points
"Blueberry and raspberry aromas along with dried herbs, spice, cola and bramble. The palate has lovely brightness, crunch and purity of fruit. All blue and red fruits, spice and snappy acidity. Smart length and lovely definition."
- Aaron Brasher (The Real Review)

92 points
"Raspberry compote, orange peel, black tea, humbug candies and red licorice frame the bouquet, while on the palate, the wine is plush, luxurious and velvety. It's really good—again!"
- Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

94 points - "From several districts, off old, dry-grown bush vines. The ferments are all nuanced, but all are wild, and there is always some whole bunch; maturation for eight months in old French oak. Pale in hue and pretty in fragrance, such is the vintage. Flavours skip through cranberry, wild raspberry, pomegranate and rose, with white pepper and cassia, the elevating quality the absence of easy juiciness with no loss of vibrancy. That theme is carried through on the palate, a smartly woven net of tannins ensnaring the fruit, shaping without constricting." - Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

93 points - "From a selection of old bush vines across McLaren Vale. We don’t know from where, but we trust Giles Cooke MW, Grenache enthusiast, who’s probably over here right now, trailing about somewhere in SA. Cherry, mint, raspberry, something a little steely too, brown spicy and floral. It’s medium-bodied, sappy cherry and coal dust, something a little ozone-like about it, with plump yet fine grained tannin grip, and a juicy finish of excellent length. Very nice. Fresh. Lively. Gustatory." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

93 points - "I always enjoy this wine, the entry point to the glories of McLaren Vale grenache, among the world's finest expressions of this variety. Tamarind, red cherries, mint and sap verging on rhubarb. Almost like a Beaujolais, and yet there is plenty of tannic grit. Cranberry, white pepper, clove and dried thyme notes on a long, gentle finish. Delicious. Screw cap. Drink or hold." - Ned Goodwin MW (James Suckling)

93 points - "A vibrant and youthful red in the glass. Blueberry and raspberry aromas along with dried herbs, spice, cola and bramble. The palate has lovely brightness, crunch and purity of fruit. All blue and red fruits, spice and snappy acidity. Smart length and lovely definition." - Aaron Brasher (The Real Review)

92 points - "The 2023 Thorny Devil Grenache is routinely a rip-snorting little wine. Raspberry compote, orange peel, black tea, humbug candies and red licorice frame the bouquet, while on the palate, the wine is plush, luxurious and velvety. It's really good—again! 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap." - Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

Customer Reviews

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 1 review
Total 5 star reviews: 1 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
1 review
  • RC
    Robert C.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    1 year ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    2022 Thistledown Thorny Devil Old Vine Grenache
    Reviewing
    2022 Thistledown Thorny Devil Old Vine Grenache
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Top value from Thistledown

    Bright fruit, smooth palate, integrated tannins, great value Grenache.

Reviews LoadedReviews Added

Fruit for Thorny Devil comes from a variety of some of the finest vineyards in McLaren Vale. Old bush trained vines and sandy, mineral strewn vineyards ensure that this is amongst our most delicious Grenaches.

Viticulture:
Thorny Devil comes from a variety of sites, all of which have in common that that they are old, bush trained and dry grown. With Grenache, we are always looking to maximise fruit purity, texture and finesse and do so through earlier picking, selection of blocks within the vineyard and a detailed understanding of each site and how it reacts to the season.

Winemaking:
The fruit was hand picked from a variety of sites, all of which were vinified separately with up to 30% whole bunches retained in the ferment. Fermentation began naturally and hand plunging twice a day was carried out through to dryness. Gently pressed off skins before 10 months in old oak hogsheads.

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Grenache
Country Australia
Region McLaren Vale
Australian State SA
Feature Vegan
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
The Wine Front
The Real Review
James Suckling
The Wine Advocate
Critic Score 94
93
92
Alcohol 14%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Screw Cap

Thistledown

Thistledown wines was founded by UK natives Fergal Tynan, and Giles Cooke, the two MWs met while they began their WSET studies and formed a fast and strong bond.

While they have vineyards and wineries across the globe, Thistledown holds a special place in their hearts, with many of Giles' first forays into MW wine travel happening around Australia.

With renowned local winemaker Peter Leske on hand year-round, Giles is still quite hands-on with Thistledown, ensuring to be downunder throughout the year at key points in the winemaking process.

Giles Cooke MW Thistledown

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