Thistledown This Charming Man Grenache 2023
Thistledown This Charming Man Grenache 2023 is a dry, full-bodied red from Grenache (South Australia, Australia), in the rich, smooth reds style. Tannins are soft and acidity gentle; oak influence is little. Good with lamb, roast vegetables, steak, barbecue. Drink now or within 15 years (to about 2041). Decant for about 30 minutes. Critic score 96/100 (merchant-reported). Cheapest offer £58.66 at 8wines UK.
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Smith K Vintners The Boy Grenache 2022 Charles Smith · Washington | £59.26 | |||
| Orin Swift Abstract 2022 Orin Swift · California | £44.94 | |||
| Bodegas Frontonio Parcela La Cerqueta Garnacha 2022 Bodegas Frontonio · Aragon | £39.76 | |||
| Upsidedown Stoney Florals Grenache 2022 Upsidedown · Washington | £33.88 |
Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. It is recommended to decant it for half an hour. Thistledown is an Australian winery, founded by English-born Masters of Wine Fergal Tynan and Giles Cooke who chose some of the most renowned wine regions in the south of the country to make their wines. The Grenache grapes come from a site of extraordinary quality, located on a hill in the Clarendon sub-region of McLaren Vale, farmed for 3 generations by the Smart family. The 100-year-old vines are trained in a bush style. Its name is a tribute to Bernard Smart, who understood and preserved this beautiful vineyard, whose exceptional fruit we can still enjoy today. After spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, the finished wine rests in 300-litre barrels (80% of which are used). The Charming Man is a wonderful example of Australian Grenache. It has a deep and complex aromatic profile, with notes of violet and black cherry, raspberry, and ripe blackberries, followed by spice and minerality. On the palate, it is concentrated, fruity, powerful, and elegant with soft tannins and a velvety texture. It is rich and lively with a long finish that recalls spicy notes. Leave it for a few years in the cellar, or open a bottle now with beef chili or pork chops.