Thorny Devils Old Vine Grenache Single Vineyard 2022 vs Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2019
Compare current tracked prices, stockists and core specifications.
| Availability | In stock | In stock |
|---|---|---|
| Best current price | £18.49 | £18.49 |
| Current stockists | 1 merchant | 1 merchant |
| Producer | Thorny Devil | Zuccardi |
| Style | Red | Red |
| Grape | Grenache | Tempranillo |
| Region | — | Mendoza |
| Size | 750ml | 750ml |
| Where to buy |
Thorny Devils Old Vine Grenache Single Vineyard 2022
Thistledown was established by Master of Wine Giles Cooke with the goal of producing refined, textural Australian wines. By gaining access to long-forgotten Old Vine Grenache vineyards in McLaren Vale, Giles has been able to craft wines that showcase subtle perfume, elegance, and a true reflection of their origin. His aim is to celebrate the stories of these remarkable vineyards through wines of sophistication and personality. Viticulture Thorny Devil draws on fruit from multiple sub-regions of McLaren Vale, all old, dry-grown, and bush-trained. Picking times vary by site, but the common approach is “picking on the way up” to preserve vibrancy and freshness. The wine’s name was inspired by a small local lizard discovered in the vineyard during the 2014 vintage, a nod to the natural environment that shapes the vineyards. Winemaking All ferments are wild, with varying percentages of whole bunches. Extraction is light, focusing on infusion rather than heavy tannin. After pressing, the wine is aged for approximately 8 months in seasoned French oak hogsheads of 300 and 500 litres before bottling. Tasting Note Pale in hue yet expressive, Thorny Devil exhibits the classic McLaren Vale perfume and spice. The palate is elegant and layered, revealing wild strawberry, subtle spice, and silky texture. A delicate, refined red with a captivating textural complexity. Food Matching Pairs beautifully with game meats, North African-style lamb, and charcuterie. Awards James Suckling 93 Points – “Entry point to the glories of McLaren Vale Grenache…tamarind, red cherries, mint, rhubarb, cranberry, white pepper, clove and dried thyme notes on a long, gentle finish.” NG(MW), 2024 The Wine Front 93 Points – “Medium-bodied, sappy cherry with fine-grained tannins, juicy finish, lively and fresh. Very nice.” GW, 2024 Robert Parker Wine Advocate 92 Points – “Raspberry compote, orange peel, black tea, humbug candies and red licorice on the nose; plush, luxurious and velvety palate.” EL, 2024 Ha
Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2019
Zuccardi Q Tempranillo is a structured and elegant Argentine red, offering complex notes of tobacco, leather and chocolate. Approachable in its youth yet capable of ageing gracefully for several years, it captures both power and finesse, showcasing the exceptional quality of old-vine Tempranillo from Mendoza. Why You'll Love It This is Argentine Tempranillo at its finest—structured, elegant, and beautifully complex. The Zuccardi family is one of Argentina's most respected winemaking dynasties, known for innovation and for championing vineyard expression across Mendoza. Their 'Q' range is sourced from carefully selected, old-vine parcels that deliver concentration, depth and purity of fruit. Sustainability, minimal intervention and precision winemaking are hallmarks of the Zuccardi philosophy, resulting in wines of exceptional character and ageing potential. Vineyard & Production Grapes are sourced from old vines in the Santa Rosa vineyards of Mendoza. The region's semi-arid climate, abundant sunshine and high luminosity are moderated by cool nights, which preserve acidity and aromatic intensity. These conditions, coupled with careful vineyard management, ensure perfectly balanced fruit. The 2019 vintage was an outstanding year in Mendoza, marked by ideal ripening conditions with higher-than-average spring humidity, while summer temperatures remained consistently below average. February and March continued with cool, luminous days, allowing slow, even ripening. Selected bunches are hand-harvested and gently transferred into concrete vats by gravity. Fermentation with native yeasts takes place with soft extraction through délestage and pigeage. After fermentation, the wine undergoes 20–25 days of maceration on skins, followed by full malolactic conversion. Ageing in oak barrels adds complexity, structure and longevity. Tasting Notes This deeply structured Tempranillo opens with aromas and flavours of tobacco, leather and chocolate. The palate is silky yet robust, show
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