Thistledown The Cunning Plan Shiraz

Double Trophy, Double 95-Point rated McLaren Vale Shiraz made by two Masters of Wine. This is just an out and out winner and even at $40 a bottle as James Halliday puts it – “In value terms, this is truly exceptional.”

Thistledown Wines is the project of UK Masters of wine Giles Cooke & Fergal Tynan. They met in a bar the night before they started the first year of their Master of Wine course back in ’98. They later joined forces with an MW certificate each, a love of wine, a love of Australian wine and a determination to show the wine world that Australian wine could be more than big, alcoholic blockbuster reds unsuited to a changing taste across the world.

This is the label they call The Cunning Plan. That’s because Mother Nature rarely makes a vintage easy. Even the experience of two MWs can’t out-fox her. But while others lose their cool, these boys have got it all worked out. What they like to call their cunning plan.

This is their 2022 Cunning Plan and it’s backed by plenty of rave reviews…

Trophy Champion Shiraz (McLaren Vale Wine Show 2023)
Trophy Champion Young Shiraz (McLaren Vale Wine Show 2023)

95/100 (James Halliday’s Wine Companion)
“In value terms, this is truly exceptional. It’s a wine of poise and engaging vibrancy that’s also rippling with flavour…The finish underlines the class, with a lithe, effortless balance that leaves perfectly ripe flavours lingering, along with the desire for another glass.”

95/100 (Sam Kim) 
“A sumptuous palate offering terrific weight and velvety texture. Mouthfilling and soothing with a prolonged delicious finish. At its best: now to 2037.”

91/100 (Huon Hooke, The Real Review)
“Deep, dark, rich red-purple colour; very rich chocolate and black fruit aromas”

92/100 (Cam Douglas MW)
92/100 (James Suckling)

This one is drinking well now but has the class to cellar comfortably for 10-15 years from vintage. If you’re wanting a cunning food match think smoky barbecued meats off the grill, sausages, kebabs, steaks and hearty vegetables with a nice char!