2024 Thistledown She's Electric Grenache, McLaren Vale

Vibrant ruby red hue. Nose is equally vibrant, raspberry, dried herbs and roses all leaping from the glass. This is benchmark delicious drinking, juicy raspberry fruit is lifted by crunchy acidity and for a moment you think that’s all then it morphs into a far more savoury tone with dried herbs and morcilla notes. Great length; tannins have a subtle influence towards the finish, more lifting than gripping so the end still has the same vitality as on entry 25 Jan 2025 Drink 2025–2035

95 points Stuart Knox therealreview.com #1 of 18 2024 Grenache from South Australia

The cuvée name and label art acknowledge the event that saw a bird electrified in power lines and torch half the vineyard – this comes from the remnant old vines. A pale, pinot-like hue, this is stunningly aromatic, red fruited, blooming with rose notes, though it’s also savoury and spicy. There’s fennel seed, a twigginiess of bunch, white pepper and cassia bark, a mulchy, dry-toned forest floor character, warm earth, a little salinity. Poised and elegant of feel, with almost a pinosity, echoing the colour. A little time in bottle is needed to cohere fruit and bunch notes, but the promise of intriguing tertiary fragrance is an exciting prospect.

95 points Marcus Ellis winecompanion.com.au

Thistledown She's Electric Grenache from McLaren Vale is a vibrant, finely tuned expression of old vine Grenache that crackles with energy and elegance. It’s a wine that puts the spotlight on McLaren Vale’s ancient bush vines and the light-touch, vineyard-first philosophy that has made Thistledown one of the most exciting Grenache producers in Australia.

Sourced from dry-grown, low-yielding vineyards in the Blewitt Springs subregion, this Grenache is all about perfume, purity, and poise. The sandy soils and elevated sites bring freshness and finesse, allowing the fruit to shine without excess weight. Winemakers Giles Cooke MW and Fergal Tynan MW use whole bunch fermentation, wild yeasts, and ageing in large format oak to preserve the natural structure and aromatics of the fruit.

In the glass, it’s bursting with red cherry, raspberry, blood orange, crushed herbs, and exotic spice. The palate is silky and medium bodied, with fine tannins, juicy acidity, and a long, flowing finish that hums with energy and finesse. It’s a far cry from old-school, high-octane Grenache—this is modern McLaren Vale, detailed and delicious.

Ideal with chargrilled lamb, roasted duck, or Middle Eastern spice, She's Electric is a testament to how elegant and expressive Australian Grenache can be.