Thistledown, Cunning Plan Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia, 2023

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 beautiful region of McLaren Vale is bounded by the Gulf to the West and the various ranges to the East and North. Geologically one of the most diverse regions on earth, it has long been the home to some of Australia’s finest expressions of Shiraz. The fruit comes from the Moray Park vineyard in the McLaren Flat sub-region. Picked on the way up to retain vibrancy and energy.

Winemaking

Winemaking is simple with The Cunning Plan. Take perfectly balanced fruit, pick, gently crush to preserve whole berries and allow to soak for 4 days prior to a wild fermentation. Wild fermented and then pressed to French oak only, with either no new oak or only a small percentage used depending on vintage.

Oak Ageing

Time: 10 Months
Type: French 300 Litre
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 10

Tasting Note

Great depth of ripe plum and blackberry fruit flavours. A full bodied wine with a succulent palate, lively spices and fine velvety tannins.

Food Matching

Heart stews, Asian hotpots, cold meat cuts.

Awards

The Wine Advocate 92 Points
The 2023 Cunning Plan Shiraz is vibrant, high-toned and floral, with attractive red and purple fruits, energetic acid and tannins that feel embossed into the very experience. It’s cracking value for the money and eloquently expresses McLaren Vale, most importantly. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. 92 Points, EL, October 2024.
Huon Hooke 93 Points
There's a sweet floral/lemon note on the nose of graphite, pepper and earthy spice, the palate full and rounded, with ample drying, powdery tannins that augment the long finish. A shiraz of serious dimension, flavour and structure. 93 Points, HH, November 2024.