2023 Thistledown Sands of Time Grenache

Highly Rated
Exceptional old-vine McLaren Vale Grenache that stands amongst the best global expressions of the variety.

Price:
Sale price$90.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship

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Description

From a single 75 year-old vineyard in Blewitt Springs, this wine perfectly encapsulates why this sub-region of McLaren Vale is producing some of the best Grenache wines in Australia today.

There is real purity and power here. Highly aromatic with florals, spice, and dried citrus, it follows through to a palate that is both elegant and vibrant yet intensely concentrated. So smooth, with sweet berries, alongside more spice, and a hint of smoke.

This is the big-gun, and without a doubt, the showcase wine for Thistledown; so eminently drinkable, and beautiful. Really, this is a love letter to Grenache.

97 points
"The wine is structurally fine and ductile... Suffice to say, this is a super wine, fragrant and detailed, long and complex. Yes!"
- Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

95 points
"There are very few wines that I look forward to more than the top duo of grenache from Thistledown, be it on Australian or international shores... Later-ripening varieties, such as grenache, had their challenges in this vintage, yet this gorgeous rendition virtually transcends them."
- Ned Goodwin MW (James Suckling)

Sourced from one 75 year old vineyard, the bush trained vines on pure sand yield up a wine of immense purity and power that is both light and intense at the same time. Highly aromatic with notes of sandalwood, dried orange, violets and wood spice on the nose, it follows through to a palate that is paradoxically elegant and vibrant but concentrated and persistent. Silky smooth with a glossy, highly attractive palate of wild strawberry, violets and the merest hint of cinnamon and woodsmoke. Achingly beautiful but deliciously drinkable all at once.

Hand-picked, on the way up, we vinify naturally in concrete and place whole bunches alternately with de-stemmed fruit to create a layer cake. A very gentle, slow fermentation is followed by maturation in oak and concrete before a careful selection is done, which is then bottled unfined and unfiltered 10 months later.

Region: McLaren Vale, SA
Blend: Grenache (100%)
ABV: 14.50%
Closure: 750ml
Bottle Size:
Production:

97 points - "The 2023 Sands of Time Old Vine Single Vineyard Grenache leads with a floral, fragrant bouquet of Boscobel rose, crushed green (and salted) pistachios, licorice, clove, star anise and cracked fennel seeds. The wine is structurally fine and ductile; the tannins present us with an attractive framework of support and texture. It is gently chewy, layered with tobacco, iron and a hint of boudin noir, or black pudding. (I was recently pulled away from my Northern English roots while in France. We had boudin noir, and it was significantly silkier, fattier, softer and more lustrous than the English version; and to my palate at least, it was far more aligned with wine and nuance.) Suffice to say, this is a super wine, fragrant and detailed, long and complex. Yes! 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap." - Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

95 points - "There are very few wines that I look forward to more than the top duo of grenache from Thistledown, be it on Australian or international shores. This, from an octogenarian spread of vines, higher up on meager sands flecked with ironstone, peering toward the vast Pacific horizon. The final vintage of a La Nina troika, splaying red-fruit allusions, dried thyme, rose petal, pomegranate and lilac, with a mandala of gritty nigh-on nebbiolo-esque tannins, directing and driving long. The tannins are just a little emaciated, to be churlish. Later-ripening varieties, such as grenache, had their challenges in this vintage, yet this gorgeous rendition virtually transcends them. Drink or hold. Screw cap." - Ned Goodwin MW (James Suckling)

94 points - "Quite mute in the perfume, sour cherry, a touch of sea spray, some sweet turned earth and wild herbs with a touch of aniseed. Pretty though. Concentrated but quite fine in the palate, lacy and pure-feeling with a mix of sweet spice, headier almost curry spice, curiously, blood orange, and lots of cherry between just-ripe and maraschino. Slender swish of fine boned tannins, minerally and crushed rock qualities. Great extension of flavour too. Massive charm here." - Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

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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