Thistledown The Vagabond Old Vine Grenache 2021

Region and Vineyards

Thistledown The Vagabond Old Vine Grenache 2021 hails from the revered Blewitt Springs district within the McLaren Vale region, often considered the Grand Cru of Australian Grenache. This area is renowned for its deep sands interspersed with ironstone, providing the ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality Grenache.

The vineyards are comprised of four separate, old, dry-grown, bush-trained plots, each contributing to the wine's complexity and character. These old vines, deeply rooted in the sandy soils, are known for their ability to produce low yields of intensely flavored grapes, a hallmark of exceptional Grenache.

Winemaking

This vintage was remarkable, with a mild and measured climate, devoid of heat spikes or drought conditions, allowing for a long ripening period. The fruit was all hand-picked to ensure the highest quality.

Approximately two-thirds of the grapes were wild fermented in a unique concrete pyramid, with alternating layers of whole bunches and crushed fruit, allowing for spontaneous fermentation without mechanical extraction. The remaining grapes were wild fermented in an open fermenter with 35% whole bunches and hand plunged twice daily. This portion was then aged in puncheons, while the pyramid-fermented grapes were pressed back into a concrete egg and oak puncheons for maturation.

The wine was left unfined and unfiltered, preserving its natural complexity and depth of flavor. Only 3,833 bottles of this wine were produced, making it a rare and exquisite find.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Medium ruby
• Aroma: A beautifully complex nose of violets, wild cherry, rosemary, and warming spice.
• Palate: Energetic yet polished with vibrant notes of cherry, spice, wild strawberry, and licorice. The wine is medium-bodied but multi-layered and textural, leading to a very long, aromatic finish.

Did you know?

Did you know that the fermentation process for Thistledown The Vagabond Old Vine Grenache utilizes a concrete pyramid, which allows the fermenting juice to move through the layers of whole bunches like a mesh? This unique method retains the individual vineyard characters and energy of the site, a signature approach of Thistledown.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Lamb Tagine: The warming spices and fruit notes in the wine complement the rich, spiced flavors of the lamb.
• Duck à l'Orange: The wine’s vibrant cherry and licorice notes harmonize beautifully with the citrusy sweetness of the duck.
• Ratatouille: The herbal and aromatic qualities of the wine enhance the medley of vegetables and Provençal herbs.
• Beef Carpaccio: The wine's smooth palate and complex flavors pair excellently with the delicate, raw beef and its accompanying garnishes.

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​​.