Marchesi di Gresy Monferrato Rosso 2019 vs Thistledown The Cunning Plan Shiraz Maclaren Vale 2022
Compare current tracked prices, stockists and core specifications.
| Availability | In stock | In stock |
|---|---|---|
| Best current price | £19.99 | £19.99 |
| Current stockists | 1 merchant | 1 merchant |
| Producer | Marchesi de Gresy | Thistledown |
| Style | Red | Red |
| Grape | Merlot | Shiraz |
| Region | Piedmont | — |
| Country | Italy | — |
| Size | 750ml | 750ml |
| Where to buy |
Marchesi di Gresy Monferrato Rosso 2019
Marchesi di Gresy Monferrato Rosso is a remarkable 100% Merlot from Piedmont — a grape variety more associated with Bordeaux than Barbera country, but one that has found an exceptional home in the commune of Cassine in the Asto zone. Originally planted to blend with Barbera, winemaker Alberto decided the juice was simply too good to blend, and bottled it as a single varietal. Aged for 12 months in used French barriques followed by a further 24 months in Slovenian oak casks, this is a spicy, rich wine with forest fruits and plums on the nose, dark fruits, toasty cedar, and vanilla on the palate, with ripe tannins leading to a long, structured finish. Why You'll Love It This is 100% Merlot from Marchesi di Gresy, one of Piedmont's most respected estates, produced under the DOC Monferrato appellation from vineyards in the commune of Cassine in the Asto zone. The decision to bottle this as a single varietal rather than blending it with Barbera speaks to the exceptional quality of the fruit from this site. The extended oak ageing programme — 12 months in used French barriques followed by 24 months in Slovenian oak casks, totalling three years of maturation — develops extraordinary complexity and structure while allowing the Merlot's natural richness and fruit character to shine through. Winemaker Matteo Sasso oversees production, crafting a wine that is vegetarian and vegan-friendly. This is Piedmontese Merlot with depth, complexity, and genuine ageing ambition. Vineyard & Winemaking Produced by Marchesi di Gresy under DOC Monferrato, Piedmont, Italy. Vineyards in the commune of Cassine, Asto zone. Aged 12 months in used French barriques, followed by 24 months in Slovenian oak casks. Winemaker: Matteo Sasso. Vegetarian and vegan. Contains sulphites. Tasting Notes Spicy and rich with forest fruits and plums on the nose. Complex on the palate with dark fruits, toasty cedar, and vanilla, with ripe tannins leading to a long, structured finish. Food Pairing Excellent with ste
Thistledown The Cunning Plan Shiraz Maclaren Vale 2022
Thistledown was founded by Master of Wine Giles Cooke with a vision to craft elegant, textural Australian wines that showcase the true character of their vineyards. Early access to historic, previously undervalued Old Vine Grenache and Shiraz sites helped Giles establish a reputation for producing some of the country’s most compelling wines. His mission is to share the stories of these exceptional vineyards with a global audience, combining heritage fruit with meticulous winemaking. Viticulture The Shiraz fruit comes from the Moray Park vineyard in the McLaren Flat sub-region of McLaren Vale, a region known for its geological diversity and exceptional Shiraz expression. Grapes are picked on the way up to preserve vibrancy, freshness, and energy. Winemaking The Cunning Plan Shiraz is crafted with minimal intervention. Grapes are gently crushed to preserve whole berries, allowed a 4-day soak, and then fermented with wild yeasts. After fermentation, the wine is pressed to French oak, with minimal or no new oak depending on the vintage, for 10 months. Tasting Note Displays rich, ripe plum and blackberry flavours with a succulent, full-bodied palate. Lively spice notes integrate seamlessly with fine, velvety tannins, producing a wine of depth, elegance, and balance. Food Matching Pairs wonderfully with hearty stews, Asian hotpots, and cold meat cuts. Awards The Wine Advocate 92 Points – “Vibrant, high-toned and floral, with attractive red and purple fruits, energetic acid and tannins embossed into the very experience. Cracking value for the money and eloquently expresses McLaren Vale.” EL, October 2024 Huon Hooke 93 Points – “Sweet floral/lemon notes on the nose of graphite, pepper and earthy spice. Full and rounded palate with powdery tannins and a long finish. A Shiraz of serious dimension, flavour and structure.” HH, November 2024 Technical Details Varieties: Shiraz 100% Oak Ageing: 10 Months in 300 L French Oak, 100% of wine, 10% new oak
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