Shiraz
75cl * 14.5% ABV * Vegan * McLaren Vale, South Australia
Thistledown are renowned for their hand-made, small-batch wines using fruit from some of the best vineyards across the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, and the McLaren Vale. They work only with growers committed to a sustainable, minimalist winemaking approach which is well-reflected in their wines.
The fruit for the Cunning Plan Shiraz is harvested from the Moray Park Vineyard in the McLaren Vale, which undergoes a wild fermentation followed by a light touch of French oak. The 2022 vintage saw moderate rainfall, mild temperatures and an extended ripening period, bringing a balanced intensity of flavour.
The wine is lively and energetic, brimming with blackberries and plums, fresh violets and pepper. A medley of ripe purple and black fruits with spice and minerality, it has body and depth, silky tannins, and a pleasingly long finish.
There is a brightness to its youth and a purity in its expression that makes this an excellent value McLaren Vale shiraz, and one that stands firmly apart from the more oaky style typical of the region. Even so, its definition and structure reveal great ageing potential.
Pair with hearty meat dishes, stews or charcuterie.
Rated Best Shiraz & Best Young Shiraz at the McLaren Vale Wine Show 2023
93 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate