Paxton The Pollinator Shiraz No Added Preservatives 2021 vs Thistledown Gorgeous Shiraz 2023
Compare current tracked prices, stockists and core specifications.
| Availability | In stock | In stock |
|---|---|---|
| Best current price | £15.99 | £15.99 |
| Current stockists | 1 merchant | 1 merchant |
| Producer | Paxton | Thistledown |
| Style | Red | Red |
| Grape | Shiraz | Shiraz |
| Region | McLaren Vale | — |
| Country | Australia | Australia |
| Size | 750ml | 750ml |
| Where to buy |
Paxton The Pollinator Shiraz No Added Preservatives 2021
The Pollinator Shiraz is a vibrant, fresh, and unoaked expression from McLaren Vale. Bursting with plum and red berry aromas, it delivers a lively and balanced palate with integrated tannins and a clean, refreshing finish. Made entirely organic with no added preservatives, this Shiraz is a pure, natural expression of its vineyard. Why You'll Love It This is natural winemaking at its finest. Made entirely organic with no added preservatives, The Pollinator showcases the biodiversity and organic practices of the Thomas Block vineyard. Hand-harvested and gently hand-plunged for 14 days in open-top fermenters, the wine is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel to preserve its vibrant, unoaked character. Winemaker Ashleigh Seymour employs biodynamic and organic viticulture on deep alluvial soils to create a wine that's fresh, pure, and full of life—a true expression of McLaren Vale terroir. Meet the Producer Winemaker Ashleigh Seymour crafts The Pollinator to highlight the biodiversity and organic practices of the Thomas Block vineyard. Situated on deep alluvial soils at the base of McLaren Vale, the estate employs biodynamic and organic viticulture to produce wines that reflect their unique terroir with elegance and vibrancy. Production Grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness and tipped into open-top fermenters. Gentle hand plunging for 14 days extracts the vibrant flavours and colour from the fruit. After primary fermentation, the wine is pressed into stainless steel tanks for secondary fermentation, retaining freshness and purity. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes brief ageing in stainless steel, including malolactic fermentation, to enhance texture while preserving fruit intensity. The wine is bottled early to maintain its lively, unoaked character. Tasting Notes Bright ruby in colour, the wine displays aromas of plum, red berries, and subtle floral notes. The palate is vibrant, fresh, and medium-bodied, with integrated tannins and a clean, ene
Thistledown Gorgeous Shiraz 2023
Thistledown Gorgeous Shiraz is a distinctive, aromatic Australian Shiraz from a historic old vineyard in the Riverland, with vines dating back to the early soldier settlements. Created by Master of Wine Giles Cooke, who founded Thistledown with a vision to craft elegant, textural interpretations of Australian wine, this is a wine that transforms a previously undervalued resource into something thoroughly enjoyable and compelling. A small proportion of Zibibbo (Muscat) and Fiano were co-fermented with the Shiraz using wild yeasts, adding aromatic lift and complexity. Peaches, ripe nectarine, wild raspberry, and spice on the nose, with a soft, silky palate and subtle tannins reminiscent of macerated strawberries and black pepper. Why You'll Love It This is Thistledown Gorgeous Shiraz, produced by Master of Wine Giles Cooke from a single historic old vineyard in the Riverland — a property with vines dating back to the early soldier settlements, offering exceptional depth and character. Giles Cooke has quickly established a reputation for producing some of Australia's most compelling and nuanced wines, with access to some of the country's best vineyards including historic old-vine Grenache. The co-fermentation of Zibibbo (Muscat) and Fiano with the Shiraz using wild yeasts is a distinctive winemaking choice that enhances aroma and complexity, while short ageing in old French oak preserves the aromatic intensity and silky texture. The result is a wine that James Halliday described as “Mindless, in the very best way” — awarding it 90 Points. This is Australian Shiraz with personality, heritage, and effortless drinkability. Vineyard & Winemaking Produced by Thistledown from a single historic old vineyard in the Riverland, South Australia, with vines dating back to the early soldier settlements. Co-fermented with Zibibbo (Muscat) and Fiano using wild yeasts. Short ageing in old French oak (1 month, 100% of the wine, no new oak). Bottled young to preserve aromatic intensity
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