Thistledown Gorgeous Shiraz 2022

The 2022 Thistledown Gorgeous Shiraz Old Vine Small Batch No. 4 (90 Points – James Halliday) makes a fine first appearance, exhibiting an inviting purple color, which beckons from the moment the wine is poured. Blueberry and blackberry fruit greet the nose and palate. In the mouth, Thistledown’s 2022 Gorgeous Shiraz, which features an unusual and inventive dash of the white grapes Zibibbo (11%) and Fiano (3%), is silky smooth, beautifully textured, and redolent with pure fruit flavors. Add a touch of black pepper, a pinch of exotic spices, and succulent tannins and the 2022 Thistledown Gorgeous Shiraz brings its welcome from the moment it is poured until it slips ever so easily down the throat. Suave, extremely approachable, and impeccably balanced, Thistledown’s 2022 Old Vine No. 4 Shiraz is truly gorgeous. For optimal enjoyment, afford the 2022 Thistledown Gorgeous Shiraz a few minutes of aeration before serving it cool (55°-60° F). Anticipated Maturity: 2023-2027. Enjoy!

With the 2022 Thistledown Gorgeous Shiraz, Masters of Wine Giles Cooke and Fergal Tynan have crafted a delicious succulent Shiraz that is both food friendly and equally palate pleasing on its own. The youthful 2022 Gorgeous Shiraz pairs beautifully with everything from a magnificent Fig and Chèvre Salad with watercress and crispy prosciutto to Slow Roasted Pork Chops with red and yellow peppers in a spicy sauce. A Three-Meat Meatloaf and Herbe de Provence-Grilled Chicken Breast with rosemary truffle fries earn two thumbs up, too. Stews, cassoulets with several kinds of beans, and hearty lentil dishes also provide tasty companions. Sesame Crusted Tuna with wakame seaweed, lime ponzu, sesame seeds, and crispy wontons makes another tasty accompaniment. Thistledown’s 2022 Gorgeous Shiraz is quite versatile and especially food friendly, so as you like it.

Thistledown crushes Grenache and Shiraz, in every which way, all of if gorgeous. Although they specialize in old vine Grenache, they are equally masterful with old vine Shiraz – pure, suave, racy Shiraz. In short, Thistledown fashions an incredible portfolio of Gorgeous Old Vine Grenache and Old Vine Shiraz wines from very old vines in South Australia known as “soldier blocks.” These blocks date back to World War I and World War II when the Australian government gifted land to returning soldiers to help them get back on their feet.

Two Masters of Wine, Giles Cooke and Fergal Tynan, are the driving force behind Thistledown and their winery’s elite portfolio of wines. With the help of renowned winemaker Peter Leske, they launched Thistledown in 2010. They hand-make small batches of wines from old vines that illustrate the unique benefits of great sites and intelligent winemaking. Specializing in fashioning tiny lots of wine from prized vineyards has earned Thistledown tremendous critical acclaim and high 90 point ratings from Wine Advocate, Decanter, James Halliday, James Suckling, and others. Although Thistledown is more widely known for crafting old vine Grenache, Giles and Fergal craft equally gorgeous old vine Shiraz, as this month’s feature aptly attests.