Thistledown The Cunning Plan Shiraz Maclaren Vale 2022 vs Vergelegen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Compare current tracked prices, stockists and core specifications. One of these is currently out of stock across tracked merchants.
| Availability | In stock | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
| Best current price | £19.99 | — |
| Current stockists | 1 merchant | — |
| Producer | Thistledown | Vergelegen |
| Style | Red | Red |
| Grape | Shiraz | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Size | 750ml | 750ml |
| Where to buy | No current tracked offers |
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
Vergelegen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most prolific planting at Vergelegen, with vineyards spanning diverse soils and altitudes. The Reserve bottling highlights the expression of the estate’s deep red Hutton and Oakleaf soils. Winemaking Fermented in small open and closed tanks at controlled temperatures, the must is pumped over every six hours for optimal colour and tannin extraction. The wine is matured for 16 months in French oak barrels (40% new, from Taransaud, Darnajou and Sylvain) before blending and bottling. Tasting Notes A wine of depth and structure, showing blackcurrant, ripe plum and spice layered with plush leather and oak. Concentrated and complex, it offers excellent ageing potential but can also be enjoyed in its youth. Food Pairing Outstanding with roast lamb, venison or mature cheeses. Awards Tim Atkin MW: 93 pts Wine Advocate: 93 pts
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