Thistledown, Walking With Kings Roussanne-Grenache Blanc, 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

Hand-picked Roussanne from Sellicks Hill, biodynamic Grenache Blanc from the Riverland.

Winemaking

Both varieties are hand picked and fermented separately. Roussanne is whole bunch pressed, lightly settled and wild fermented in French oak. Grenache is oxidatively handled prior to wild ferment in barrel. The two components blend prior to bottling.

Oak Ageing

Time: 6 Months
Type: French Oak
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: None

Tasting Note

A richly textured white wine inspired by the great whites of the Rhône, this is creamy, aromatic and jam packed full of exotic notes from the Roussanne and more vibrant, green apple from Grenache. The end result is a wine so versatile, complex yet so moreish.

Food Matching

Rich seafood, creamy sauces and Asian cuisine