Thistledown She's Electric Grenache 2024

Some vineyards have a remarkable story to tell and we came upon such a vineyard in late 2016. At the Seaview end of Chapel Hill Rd, its old bush vines contrasted by a planting of much younger Grenache. Apparently, half of the vineyard was burned when a bird caught light on a power line, fell to the ground and set light to the  vineyard! We were so glad that some of the amazing old vines are still there for us to use.

"The cuvée name and label art acknowledge the event that saw a bird electrified in power lines and torch half the vineyard – this comes from the remnant old vines. A pale, pinot-like hue, this is stunningly aromatic, red fruited, blooming with rose notes, though it’s also savoury and spicy. There’s fennel seed, a twigginiess of bunch, white pepper and cassia bark, a mulchy, dry-toned forest floor character, warm earth, a little salinity. Poised and elegant of feel, with almost a pinosity, echoing the colour. A little time in bottle is needed to cohere fruit and bunch notes, but the promise of intriguing tertiary fragrance is an exciting prospect." 95 Points Marcus Ellis Halliday Wine