2018 Thistledown The Vagabond Grenache, McLaren Vale

From old Blewitt Springs’ bush vines on deep sand, with some ironstone. Fermented using whole bunch, whole berry and crushed fruit, then aged in concrete eggs and oak. It has a lively, citrussy undertow and fine rub of sandpapery tannins to the fragrant red cherry and raspberry fruit. Violets, anise spice and fresh acidity make for a long, lifted finish.

96 points decanter.com

Deep red/purple colour. The bouquet is reserved and sweet, with herbal, green-stem, Turkish Delight and fresh earth aromas. This is medium to full-bodied and quite firmly structured within the grenache spectrum, a more structured style with length and firmness in the finish. Impressive stuff. 17 APR 2019 Drink 2019–2034

95 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

Hand-picked, wild-fermented, 33% layered passive whole bunch, half in a concrete pyramid egg, the remainder with 20% whole bunches, then a barrel selection. Delicious grenache, fresh and juicy, with a skein of fruit and oak tannins.

95 points James Halliday winecompanion.com.au 1 August 2020