by Thistledown is all about good, clean fun. Working hand-in-hand with their merry (in a good season) band of growers, they craft wines of supreme quality without taking it too seriously.
Their ethos is great fruit, grown by great people and made with love in the sure knowledge that wine is about the good times – delicious food and great memories. Founded by Giles Cooke MW and Fergal Tynan MW ‘mundane’ is simply not in their DNA: being involved in every stage of the winemaking process, from bud burst to bottling, means that every bottle from by Thistledown is an experience you’ll want to savour again and again.
Vines are 25 years old, VSP/ spur pruned, on red brown sandy loams with clay base, some quartz and limestone. Whole berries retained to preserve fruit quality and maximise fruit expression. The fruit for the Opportunist is picked on the way up to ripeness rather than on the way down. This way they achieve freshness and energy but not at the expense of flavour. Winemaking is simple and is followed by 8 months on oak to increase texture and varietal expression.
The Opportunist Shiraz wine has an aromatic bouquet of ripe fruits, cherries and blackcurrants, with notes of freshly ground coffee, dark chocolate, peppermint, liquorice and subtle pepper. Thick and smooth with good balanced fruit weight. Lovely with beef stews, entrecôte or a crispy Thai beef salad.
Country: Australia
Region: Langhorne Creek
Grapes: Shiraz 100%
ABV: 13.5%
Volume: 75cl
Vintage: 2023
Suitable for Vegetarians: Yes
Suitable for Vegans: Yes
