Thistledown Gorgeous Grenache Blanc 2023

The Grenache Blanc all came from a pioneering planting in the Riverland while the Chardonnay was sourced from an older Eden Valley site.

Oxidative handling before a wild ferment in both concrete egg and used French barrels. No MLF and maturation on lees for 4 months helped increase texture prior to bottling.

The third in a series of La Niña influenced vintages, 2023 was perhaps the most extreme. In an erratic season, the consistent theme was of cooler than average temperatures and wet weather periods during the ripening period. Yields varied massively from site to site and this meant for massive variations in ripening periods and more detailed vineyard work than ever before. The lack of intense heat resulted in one of the latest seasons on record and the wines made display elegance, brilliant aromatics and supreme balance.