2023 Thistledown The Vagabond Grenache

A beautifully perfumed, modern Australian Grenache

95 points Halliday Wine Companion | 95 points The Wine Front | 95 points JamesSuckling.com

McLaren Vale, South Australia
RRP $55 | Old-Vine Grenache | Fragrant • Textural • Vibrant

“A beautifully perfumed, modern Australian Grenache — radiant with red fruit, silky texture, and effortless finesse.”

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Bright ruby with luminous clarity — elegant and inviting.
Aroma: Seductive notes of wild strawberry, raspberry, and cherry lifted by rose petal, blood orange, and fine spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied and graceful. Juicy red fruits flow across a silky, textured palate framed by ultra-fine tannins and subtle savoury complexity. The balance between fruit, spice, and earth is seamless.
Finish: Long, pure, and energetic — a perfect harmony of perfume and precision.

Critical Acclaim

• 95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion
  “Fragrant, poised, and beautifully detailed. A superb Grenache that captures both finesse and intensity.”

• 95 Points – The Wine Front
  “Bright, fine, and modern. Red fruits, spice, and mineral precision. Elegant and deeply satisfying.”

Vineyard & Winemaking

Fruit is sourced from old bush vines grown in the elevated, sandy soils of Blewitt Springs — one of McLaren Vale’s most celebrated subregions for Grenache.
The ancient vines and cool nights produce fruit of exceptional perfume, freshness, and natural structure.

Crafted by Giles Cooke MW and Fergal Tynan MW, winemaking focuses on restraint and transparency:

• Hand-picked fruit

• Wild fermentation (including partial whole-bunch)

• Gentle extraction and minimal intervention

• Aged 10 months in large seasoned French oak

This approach captures the elegance, texture, and vivid fruit purity that define Thistledown’s modern Grenache style.

Region

Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale — home to some of the oldest Grenache vines in the world.
Its deep sands, altitude, and maritime influence create wines of lift, precision, and minerality, making it the heartland of Australia’s Grenache revival.

Food Pairings

• Roast duck with orange glaze

• Grilled lamb cutlets with rosemary

• Charred eggplant with tahini and sumac

• Wild mushroom and truffle pasta

• Aged Manchego or soft washed-rind cheese

Why We Love It

The 2023 Thistledown ‘The Vagabond’ Grenache perfectly embodies the new face of Australian Grenache — light on its feet yet full of flavour and sophistication.
It’s expressive, pure, and wonderfully textural — a wine that showcases Blewitt Springs’ elegance and Thistledown’s mastery.

With dual 95-point scores, it represents outstanding value at $50 — refined, complex, and effortlessly drinkable.

Elegant. Fragrant. Modern.
The 2023 Thistledown ‘The Vagabond’ Grenache is a 95-point showcase of Australia’s Grenache revolution — vibrant, poised, and full of soul.