2024 Thistledown Fool on the Hill Barossa Valley Grenache

An extraordinary expression of site and soul

97+ points The Wine Advocate | 97 points The Real Review | 96 points Halliday Wine Companion

Barossa Valley, South Australia
RRP $80 | Old-Vine Grenache | Powerful • Perfumed • Profound

“From the highest Grenache vineyard in the Barossa, this is a wine of incredible tension and purity — an extraordinary expression of site and soul.”

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Brilliant ruby-red with crimson edges — vivid and translucent.
Aroma: Gorgeously aromatic with lifted red cherry, blood orange, and raspberry aromas layered over lavender, crushed herbs, and fine spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, finely structured, and pure. Bright red fruits weave through savoury, mineral layers and ultra-fine sandy tannins. The balance between fruit energy and texture is exceptional.
Finish: Long, graceful and beautifully defined — the finish glows with persistent fruit and spice, showing both power and poise.

Critical Acclaim

• 97+ Points – The Wine Advocate
  “A thrilling Grenache. Concentrated yet ethereal, powerful yet beautifully precise. A wine that perfectly captures the magic of this elevated Barossa site.”

• 97 Points – The Real Review
  “Pure, fragrant and supremely elegant. Light on its feet yet deeply expressive — Grenache of great finesse and texture.”

• 96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion
  “Fine and detailed. A graceful expression of old-vine Barossa Grenache with exceptional poise and length.”

Vineyard & Winemaking

The ‘Fool on the Hill’ Vineyard sits at 550 metres above sea level on the Eden Valley side of the Barossa, making it one of the highest Grenache sites in Australia.
Old bush vines planted in sandy, quartz-strewn soils produce naturally low yields and fruit of rare concentration and aromatic lift.

Winemakers Giles Cooke MW and Fergal Tynan MW apply a delicate touch:

• Hand-picked fruit

• Wild fermentation with a portion of whole bunches

• Gentle extraction and gravity movement

• Aged in large, seasoned French oak for 10 months

Every detail honours the vineyard’s natural tension and perfume — a Grenache of grace, depth, and quiet power.

Region

Barossa Valley (Eden Valley Ranges), South Australia — a rare, elevated site that delivers Grenache of incredible fragrance, freshness, and mineral drive.
Cool nights and old vines combine to produce Grenache of balance, clarity, and longevity — unlike any other in the region.

Food Pairings

• Chargrilled lamb chops with rosemary and thyme

• Duck breast with spiced plum glaze

• Roast quail or pheasant

• Mushroom and truffle pasta

• Aged Manchego or washed-rind cheeses

Why We Love It

The 2024 Thistledown ‘Fool on the Hill’ Grenache is a masterwork of modern Australian winemaking — vibrant, elegant, and deeply expressive of site.
It’s Grenache with altitude, attitude, and absolute balance — red fruit purity wrapped in texture and soul.

With 97+ points from The Wine Advocate, 97 from The Real Review, and 96 from Halliday, this is a world-class release that places Thistledown firmly among the elite Grenache producers on the planet.

Refined. Fragrant. Remarkable.
The 2024 Thistledown ‘Fool on the Hill’ Barossa Valley Grenache is a 97+-point masterpiece — power, perfume, and precision perfectly aligned.