Thistledown She's Electric Grenache 2021

Region and Vineyards

The Thistledown She's Electric Grenache 2021 is sourced from a dry-grown, 70-year-old bush vine vineyard located in the Seaview district of McLaren Vale, overlooking the Onkaparinga Gorge. This area is renowned for its red-brown sandy loams with quartz and ironstone, which provide excellent drainage and contribute to the distinctive minerality of the wine. The region's unique microclimate, with warm days and cool nights, allows for a long ripening period, enhancing the aromatic profile and natural acidity of the grapes.

The vineyard is farmed using organic principles, with wide spacing and small vines that produce low yields of about 1.5 tons per acre. These low-yielding vines result in intensely flavored grapes with bright fruit characteristics. The combination of organic farming and the unique soil composition gives this vineyard a distinctly natural feel and contributes to the overall quality and complexity of the wine.

Winemaking

This vintage benefited from ideal conditions, with mild weather and intermittent rains throughout the growing season, allowing for an extended ripening period. This resulted in exceptional fruit quality. The winemaking process began with hand-picking the grapes, where 50% were destemmed and lightly crushed, while the remaining 50% were left as whole bunches. This approach allowed for a gentle extraction of flavors and tannins.

The grapes underwent a natural fermentation, with hand plunging twice daily. After pressing, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrels and was aged for 8 months in older French oak barrels (300 and 500 liters). This aging process helped integrate the flavors and add complexity to the wine. The final wine was bottled without fining or filtration, ensuring it retained its natural character and structure.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale yet vibrant red.
• Aroma: Aromatic and lifted with notes of wild strawberry, cherry, and subtle spice.
• Palate: Layered and textural, with flavors of red berries, herbs, and minerals, complemented by a crisp acidity and a long, elegant finish.

Did you know?

The name "She's Electric" was inspired by a unique event in the vineyard's history. During a power outage, birds perched on a power line that crossed the vineyard. When the electricity surged back, a bird caught fire and set part of the vineyard alight, destroying some vines. The surviving vines now produce the grapes for this wine. The name also pays homage to the song "She's Electric" by Oasis, reflecting the energy and vibrancy of the wine​​.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Herb-Crusted Lamb: The aromatic herbs and tender lamb complement the wine's red fruit and spice notes.
• Roast Duck with Cherry Sauce: The sweet and tangy cherry sauce enhances the wine's bright acidity and berry flavors.
• Grilled Vegetables with Balsamic Glaze: The smoky flavors and sweet balsamic glaze pair well with the wine's herbal and mineral notes.
• Taleggio Cheese: The creamy and slightly tangy flavors of Taleggio harmonize with the wine's fine tannins and layered complexity.
• Beet and Goat Cheese Salad: The earthy beets and tangy goat cheese highlight the wine's vibrant fruit and crisp acidity.

History of Thistledown Estate

Thistledown was founded by Giles Cooke MW and Fergal Tynan MW, who met on the evening before their Master of Wine first-year course and eventually decided to create wines together. Both founders have extensive experience in the wine industry, with Giles having worked in Spain, California, and Australia, and Fergal having traveled extensively through Europe, South America, South Africa, and Australia.

Their shared passion for Australian wines, particularly those from South Australia, led them to establish Thistledown. Their winemaking philosophy emphasizes purity, precision, and energy, avoiding the overuse of size, weight, alcohol, or oak to impress. Instead, they focus on creating wines with deep flavors and complexity that can be peeled back layer by layer.

Region and Vineyards

Thistledown sources its fruit from some of the best vineyard sites across South Australia, including the McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, and Adelaide Hills.

• McLaren Vale - Seaview and Blewitt Springs: The McLaren Vale is renowned for its Mediterranean climate and diverse soils, which range from loamy sands to red-brown earth over limestone. The Seaview district within McLaren Vale, overlooking the Onkaparinga Gorge, is particularly notable for its red-brown sandy loams with quartz and ironstone. This area benefits from warm days and cool nights, providing ideal conditions for producing high-quality Grenache and Shiraz. The Blewitt Springs area is known for its sandy soils over a clay base, which help retain water, benefiting the old dry-farmed bush vines of Shiraz and Grenache. These vineyards produce wines with medium to medium-plus body, fresh red fruit, and spice characteristics, often aged in old oak to avoid overpowering the primary flavors .

• Barossa Valley: The Barossa Valley is one of the oldest and most important premium wine regions in Australia, known for its big, brash Shiraz and a significant volume of white wine. The valley’s climate is hot and dry, with vineyards typically located at altitudes of 240 to 550 meters, cooled by ocean breezes. This region produces rich, robust wines with intense fruit flavors and soft, ripe tannins. The diverse soil types, from deep red clay loam to sandy loam over clay, contribute to the complexity and richness of the wines .
   
• Adelaide Hills: The Adelaide Hills, part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, is characterized by its cool to moderate climate and varied topography, with vineyards planted between 400 and 500 meters above sea level. This region excels in producing elegant Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc, benefiting from the high diurnal temperature range that helps retain acidity and produce wines with intense aromatic profiles and vibrant acidity. The region's diverse soils, ranging from sandy loam to clay loam, contribute to the nuanced flavor profiles of the wines .

Wine Range

Thistledown produces a diverse range of wines, with a particular focus on Grenache, Shiraz, and Chardonnay. Their portfolio includes:

• She's Electric Grenache: A vibrant and expressive wine from old bush vines in McLaren Vale.
• Cunning Plan Shiraz: Sourced from the McLaren Flat sub-region, known for its intense berry fruit character and subtle wood-spice.
• The Vagabond Grenache: A benchmark for contemporary Australian Grenache, showcasing the beauty of Blewitt Springs in McLaren Vale.
• Sands of Time Grenache: A faithful expression of the Blewitt Springs site, offering beautiful, haunting aromatics and fine sandy tannins.
• Suilven Chardonnay: A complex and finely balanced wine from the Adelaide Hills, highlighting the region’s cool climate viticulture.

Did you know?

Thistledown's name and philosophy are inspired by the thistle, a symbol of resilience and beauty. Their wines reflect this ethos, appearing robust on the surface but revealing deep flavors and complexity. The winery’s approach to minimal intervention, including the use of wild ferments, whole bunch inclusion, and gentle extraction, ensures that each wine remains true to its origin and exhibits a unique personality​​.