Thistledown, Bachelor's Block Single Site Shiraz, Ebenezer, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia, 2021

Producer Profile

Masters of Wine, Giles Cooke & Fergal Tynan, founded Thistledown Wines in 2010 after discovering iconic vineyard sites in the McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills.

They make hand-made, small batch wines that perfectly illustrate the benefits of great sites and intelligent, minimalist winemaking.

Viticulture

The first "single site" release and a wine that sets the benchmark for contemporary fine wine from the Barossa. Produced from hand-picked fruit from defined part of one single block in the revered Ebenezer sub-region, Bachelor's Block effortlessly blends precise picking times, whole bunch natural fermentations, gentle vinification with extended time in fine French hogsheads to yield a wine of taut power, finesse and savoury freshness.

Winemaking

The aim is to maximise the potential of the site. Hand-picked relatively early in order to preserve the fresher aromatics. The fruit was left to cold soak for a couple of days before the natural fermentation began. They used approx 35% whole bunches in the ferment, which was hand plunged twice daily. Post ferment maceration lasted a further 5 days before pressing to 300 litre French hogsheads - where it lay for 14 months before bottling .

Oak Ageing

Time: 14 Months
Type: 300 Litre French Hogsheads
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 33

Tasting Note

A complex and savoury nose with hints of graphite, liquorice, spice and blackberry. The palate is well balanced with dense, smoky black fruits and beautifully polished, glossy tannins that provide a mouthfilling yet succulent, energetic finish.

Food Matching

Braised ox cheeks, roast rib of beef.

Awards

The Wine Advocate 95 Points
The 2021 Bachelor's Block Ebenezer Shiraz hails from a cooler vintage than the previously tasted and much warmer 2020, however the Ebenezer region does not allow for a light wine to be made, whatever the season. This has density, gravitas and black pull at its very center and is shaped by a rachis of earthy, savory tannins in the mouth. It has blood plum, date, black tea, sweet Champion Ruby tobacco, turned black earth and crushed rocks aplenty. The length of flavor through the finish spools and unfurls and almost gyrates across the tongue and the memory. This is a big wine, with amplitude and impact in equal measure. 95 Points, EL, August 2023.
James Suckling 95 Points
This is exceptional right from the beginning. Full-bodied, to be sure, yet the handling accentuates a furled tannic kit, quality oak and savvy work with whole bunches (35%) delivering a savory tour de force with aromas of black olive, tar, blood, clove, aniseed, mace and a ferrous underbelly of ironstone echoing the site. The mid-palate slips into the girth of Barossa, imparting sweet purple fruits and weight. It is always easy, of course, to want less of what is on offer given a region's tendency toward fruity, heavy wines, yet the thrum of energy here delivers length, welcome restraint and serious complexity. The nose alone is worth the price! Drink or hold. 95 Points, JS, Jul 2023.