Thistledown The Great Escape Chardonnay

Ever since historic Scots, James Busby and John MacArthur founded the Australian wine industry in the early 19th century, the relationship between Scotland and Australia has been an enduring one.

Guardians of a long history, Thistledown Wine Co. continues the tradition of Scottish ingenuity and great Australian wine. From their small-batch winery in the idyllic Adelaide Hills, they work with pristine fruit sourced from iconic vineyard sites. Giles Cooke MW and Fergal Tynan MW, with the helping hand of Peter Leske, craft lithe, energetic wines that illustrate the benefits of great sites and intelligent, low-intervention winemaking. Giles and Fergal share a particular passion for Grenache and, in ever more detail, Thistledown continue to unpick the rich patchwork of South Australian Grenache, reassembling it in their own inimitable style. This unique blend of superb fruit sources and experience in both the New and the Old Worlds helps craft wine of subtlety, texture and detail, wines perfectly suited to complement rather than overwhelm fine food.

Chardonnay,

The Great Escape is their benchmark, cool climate Chardonnay produced from fruit grown in elevated vineyard sites which allow for a long ripening period which helps to maintain the natural sugar and acid balance of the grape. With moderate alcohol, focussed, crisp citrus fruit and a mouthwatering finish, this is an accomplished, truly modern style of this noble variety.

As with all of Thistledown wines, the winemaking process is a gentle one with the intention of preserving the natural flavours of the wine while at the same time building layers of texture. Fruit is picked in the cool of the early morning and goes directly to press where the free run juice is run off to tank to settle. They retain a relatively high level of solids in the ferment - half of which is done in tank with regular movement of lees and half is done in used French oak or concrete egg. They do not encourage malolactic as they want to preserve the crisp, citrus fruit profile.

Citrussy, subtle oak influence and a bright yet creamy palate. With moderate alcohol, focussed, crisp citrus fruit and a mouthwatering finish, this is an accomplished, truly modern style of this noble variety.

Perfect paired with shellfish, oysters and aromatic Asian dishes.