2024 Thistledown Thorny Devil Grenache

About the Wine

Fruit for Thorny Devil comes from a variety of some of the finest vineyards in McLaren Vale. Dry grown, old bush-trained vines and sandy, mineral strewn vineyards ensure that this is amongst our most delicious Grenaches. 

Viticulture

Thorny Devil draws on fruit from a number of sub regions of McLaren Vale, all of which are old, dry grown and bush trained. Picking times and ferments vary but the common thread is of picking ‘on the way up’.

Winemaking

All ferments are wild with differing percentages of whole bunch, though every ferment has some. Extraction regimes are very light, with the aim of infusion rather than heavy extraction. Once pressed, the wine is stored in seasoned French oak of 300 & 500 litres for approx. 8 months before bottling.

Tasting

The resulting wine has the characteristic McLaren Vale perfume and spice with a beguiling texture and perfume that unfolds, layer by layer.

Reviews

"From a panoply of Vale sites, all old vines, all dry grown, with some whole bunch in all ferments; yeasts are native and extraction gentle. In general, a warmer year than the preceding few, though not excessively so. This has that bit more flesh and plump than its predecessor, a heartiness to the fruit, though still transparent, still buoyant. Grenache’s red fruit arsenal is on display in raspberry, cherry, redcurrant, pomegranate et al, along with billowing rose-scented florals, though on the more generous end of that palette. There are also some scrubby herbs, a little white pepper spice, a scuff of earth, and a delivery that is relatively gentle of structure." 

93 Points, Special Value, Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion

Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia

Country: Australia

Alcohol: 14.5%

Vintage: 2024

Size: 750ml

Closure: Screwcap

Varieties: Grenache