Thistledown Wine Company
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THIS CHARMING MAN GRENACHE

This Charming Man Grenache 

Clarendon, McLaren Vale
Grenache of the year medal Halliday Wine Companion

GRENACHE OF THE YEAR

'If a case still needs to be made for those that doubt McLaren Vale grenache is inimitable, thrilling and unquestionably world class, then here is Exhibit A. Stunning.’

'Among Australia's very greatest reds.'
Halliday Wine Companion

On a beautiful hillside in the Clarendon sub-region of McLaren Vale, three generations of the Smart family have devoted their lives to Grenache. Decades have passed where precious few valued their crop and yet they endured. That this remarkable vineyard has sustained is down to one man, Bernard Smart and this wine pays homage to this charming man.
Thistledown This Charming Man Grenache, Clarendon, McLaren Vale
$95 | SOLD OUT - VIEW MORE TOP GRENACHE SECURE YOUR ALLOCATION OF THIS CHARMING MAN GRENACHE 2024 (Released April 2025)
Tasting 
This wine displays muscular yet elegant silky black fruits couple with deep, rich, warming spices, hints of violet, mineral and black cherry.

1511 Bottles & 55 Magnums Produced

Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
Points & Awards


  • 96 points - Robert Parker Wine Advocate
  • 96 points - JamesSuckling.com
  • 96 points - The Real Review
  • 94 points - The Wine Front

  • GOLD McLaren Vale Wine Show
  • 97 points & Special Value - Halliday Wine Companion
  • 97 points - Decanter
  • 97 points - JamesSuckling.com
  • 96 points - Robert Parker Wine Advocate
  • 95+ points - The Wine Front
  • 95 points - The Real Review

  • #3 TOP 100 Australian Wines James Suckling
  • 96+ points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  • 96 points - The Wine Front
  • 95 points - Halliday Wine Companion 
  • 95 points - The Vintage Journal (Andrew Caillard MW)
  • 95 points - The Real Review
  • 94 points - JamesSuckling.com

  • 97 points - JamesSuckling.com (TOP 100 Australian Wines of the Year)
  • 95 points & CELLAR SELECTION - Wine Enthusiast
  • Top 100 Matthew Jukes Best Australian Wines
  • 95 points - Wine Companion
  • 95 points - The WineFront
  • 95 points - The Real Review
  • 94 points - Vinous

  • TOP 100 AUSTRALIAN WINES (97 points) - JamesSuckling.com
  • 96 points & 10 GREAT REDS - Halliday Wine Companion
  • 95 points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
  • 95 points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review
  • 93 Points - Gourmet Traveller Wine
  • 93 points - Wines & Spirits Magazine
  • 91 points - Wine Advocate
  • 17.5pts - Jancis Robinson

  • Gold Medal - McLaren Vale Wine Show 2019
  • 95 points - Sarah Ahmed
  • 95 points - Huon Hooke
  • 94 points - James Suckling
  • 94 points - James Halliday
  • 94 points - Gary Walsh
  • 92 points - The Wine Advocate 

Viticulture & Winemaking
A remarkable site that has vines of 100 years old. The entire site, planted high in the picturesque Clarendon subregion, is dry grown bush vines and has been farmed by the same family for 3 generations. This wine is sourced from one particular block where the canopy is raised slightly higher above the ground, allowing for better air circulation and increased radiated sunlight.

The fruit was hand-picked on 4th April 2023 before being transported to the winery where 20% was retained as whole bunches to be placed on the base of a 2ton open fermenter. Wild fermented and gently hand plunged twice a day during active fermentation. Pressed off to 300 litre hogsheads, of which 20% were new.
All Vintages 
Click below to download tasting notes in PDF format.
2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
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