{"product_id":"2023-thistledown-the-vagabond-old-vine-grenache-blewitt-springssomm2604-thi23gre-750","title":"2023 Thistledown, \"The Vagabond\" Old-Vine Grenache, Blewitt Springs","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAussie Grenache: The \"Zero to Hero\" Revolution\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDon’t sleep on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAustralian Grenache\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—the category has undergone a radical \"Zero to Hero\" transformation, and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThistledown\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is leading the charge. Founded by two Masters of Wine, Giles Cooke and Fergal Tynan, this project treats Grenache with the reverence usually reserved for Pinot Noir. Gone are the days of heavy, over-extracted \"Shiraz-style\" Grenache; today’s benchmark is all about aromatic lift and textural finesse. Sourced from the sandy soils of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlewitt Springs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003erightfully considered the \"Grand Cru\" of the region\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—this old-vine wonder shares the same geological DNA as the legendary 100% Grenache bottlings of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. While we usually hang our hats in Old World Europe, the sheer quality of this \"Down Under\" showstopper is impossible to deny.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe secret to this wine’s \"frisky\" energy lies in the concrete\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Fermented in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003econcrete pyramids\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e using alternating layers of whole bunches and crushed fruit, and aged in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003econcrete eggs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, it preserves vibrant red fruit and floral notes without the masking influence of heavy oak. It is, quite simply, hard to put down. In her \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e94-point review\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Erin Larkin of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWine Advocate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e calls it \"irresistible,\" noting its \"fine and crunchy\" texture. While fans of our previous \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSands of Time\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e offers will recognize the pedigree, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Vagabond\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is built for pure, high-energy drinking. It shines after a 90-minute decant, but is even more revelatory the next day, making it the perfect companion for a smoky Pork BBQ.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinding these limited, old-vine bottlings in the U.S. retail market is a tall order. If you gravitate toward the mineral-driven \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpanish Garnacha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e of Sierra de Gredos or the spicy power of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGigondas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this wine will leave an immediate impression. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrink a few now to experience its exuberant youth, but be sure to cellar a few for 3–5 years to see that Blewitt Springs ironstone complexity truly unfurl.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCheers, mate!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCritical Acclaim:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Robert Parker Wine Advocate\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/wine_advoate_logo_240x240.png?v=1769834033\" style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e94 Points, Wine Advocate:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“The 2023 The Vagabond Old Vine Grenache is bottled in lighter-weight glass than the 2022 iteration—305 grams less, to be exact, and not imported glass, either. Brilliant. This 2023 Vagabond is looking so fine and crunchy, delicate and floral, silty and a little febrile. It's attractive and great. Very young, it's still in its vivid, exuberant phase. It's super. Irresistible, in fact.” - Erin Larkin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45371026636854,"sku":"SOMM2604-THI23GRE-750","price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2023Thistledown_TheVagabondOld-VineGrenache_BlewittSprings.png?v=1776285172","url":"https:\/\/sommselect.com\/products\/2023-thistledown-the-vagabond-old-vine-grenache-blewitt-springssomm2604-thi23gre-750","provider":"SommSelect","version":"1.0","type":"link"}