New School 94-Point, $23.99 Grenache from Old McLaren Vale Vines!

Thistledown is an exciting project from Giles Cooke and Fergal Tynan, two guys who met while pursuing the rigorous Master of Wine credential. After earning their MW stripes, they partnered up to pursue their mutual passion, crafting outstanding Grenache from old bush vines in Australia's McLaren Vale.

- Wine Advocate, September 2023

Their 2022 "Thorny Devil" Grenache is one of the juiciest, tastiest, and most downright yummy bottlings of low intervention Grenache we’ve tasted in quite some time. And, at $23.99, it is priced right.

Read on for the brilliant 93-Point and 94-Point reviews from Wine Advocate and James Suckling, and for a shockingly authentic ten buck Pinot Noir, then hit down quick on that Big Yellow Button to get in on the fun!

==========

2022 Thistledown "Thorny Devil" Old Vine Grenache
McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
~~~~~~~~~~~
Soft and velvety with deliciously pure red fruit, the 2022 Thorny Devil is old-school, old-vine Aussie Grenache with a lively whole cluster freshness that will have you quickly bringing the glass to your lips for another sip.

"One would be hard-pressed to find a better wine than this for the price."
- James Suckling, June 2023

Using top bush-vine parcels throughout the McLaren Vale region, Giles and Fergal have crafted a Grenache that manages to be both sensually layered and totally chuggable. It’s a fascinating take on this famous varietal, and one that we’d love to serve with grilled rack of lamb or double cut pork chops. Yum! We are a solid 92 Points. Here are the 93- and 94-Point reviews from Wine Advocate and James Suckling:

“This is a super little wine. The 2022 Thorny Devil Grenache is spicy, supple and shaped, as all the Thistledown Grenaches are, by ductile, flowing tannins in the mouth. This has shape and form, but it is also a plump, cushioned little number that gives all manner of pleasure. It's a generous, smiling little thing, delicious. There are notes of blood, raspberry, red licorice and ferrous. It is sapid as all get up. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink Date: 2023 - 2032." 
- 93 Points, Wine Advocate (9/14/2023)

“A sub-regional blend limited to old, dry-grown bush vines. Varying degrees of whole bunches. A number of picking windows, too, to embellish freshness and enough weight. Ambient fermentation. One would be hard-pressed to find a better wine than this for the price. Kirsch, ume, cranberry, bergamot and a scape of pixelated tannin, sandy of feel, directing length. Drink or hold.”
- 94 Points, James Suckling (6/12/2023)

Super tasty upon opening, this charming Grenache develops even deeper flavors and more complexity with air. Have you enjoyed some of the superstar "new school" Grenache from Bierzo and the Canary Islands, or from Angela Osborne? If so, you've got to try this one, especially at this price!

Vin Chicago Price: 23.99

 

2023 Yalumba "Y Series" Pinot Noir
South Australia, Australia
~~~~~~~~~~~
Though we don’t normally think of Pinot Noir and Australia going together, the reality is there are some very exciting Pinot Noir projects coming from cooler zones in Victoria, Tasmania and, as evidenced by this super tasty bottling, South Australia.

Today's "Y Series" bottling from Yalumba - a large, highly respected family producer - looks, smells and tastes like Pinot Noir. That is extremely rare in Pinot at this price. Medium pale-ruby in color, it is clean and quite bright, with juicy strawberry and cherry fruits, hints of red earth, red flowers, and subtle herbal and mineral accents. Featuring a truly authentic Pinot Noir character, this is a solid and very enthusiastic 88 points on our scale, and it is legit tasty.

While there are no online listings yet for this new vintage, the prior bottling typically sells for $15. At our price, this may be the very best $9.99 Pinot Noir on the planet!

Vin Chicago Price: 9.99