Thistledown Sands of Time Old Vine Grenache 2023

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Thistledown
Label Name:
 
Sands of Time Old Vine Grenache
Vintage:
 
2023
Country:
 
Australia
Region:
 
McLaren Vale (Blewitt Springs)
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14.5%
Grape(s):
 
Grenache
Acidity:
 
4
Tannins:
 
2
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
3
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
14-16°C

Awards/Ratings
Robert Parker / Wine Advocate 97 (2023); James Halliday 97; James Suckling 95; The Wine Front 94; Halliday Wine Companion Top 100 Wines (2024); Grenache of the Year (Tyson Stelzer / Top Australian Wines 2024); Gold Medal, McLaren Vale Wine Show (2019)

Tasting Note
Fragrant, floral grenache: Boscobel rose, wild strawberry, crushed pistachio, red cherry, licorice, clove and star anise. Silky, sandy tannins, vivid acidity and a long, haunting finish with subtle woodsmoke and spice.

Food Pairing
Western: chargrilled lamb, roast duck with plum glaze, porcini & truffle risotto, aged Manchego or Pecorino. Asian: Peking duck, char siu pork, Korean BBQ (bulgogi), Vietnamese grilled pork, mildly spiced Malaysian beef rendang (avoid very hot chillies).

Production Method
Hand‑picked fruit; wild fermentation in concrete with alternating whole‑bunch and de‑stemmed layers; gentle extraction; matured ~10 months in large seasoned French oak puncheons and concrete; bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Vineyard Info
Thistledown (founded by Giles Cooke MW and Fergal Tynan MW) sources this single‑vineyard old‑vine Grenache from bush‑trained vines planted in 1952 on Maslin Sands, Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale.