Hillcroft Thistledown

Thorny Devil Barossa Valley Grenache

9.118 ratings
9.03 pro ratings
Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
Grenache
Chocolate & Caramel, Herbs, Soft Cheese, Salami & Prosciutto, Turkey, Pasta, Mushrooms, Veal, Tomato-Based, Chicken, Exotic Spices, Potato, White Rice, Duck, Nuts & Seeds, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Asian Cuisine, Salads & Greens, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, Quinoa
Top Notes For
Ivonne Nill

Good, but preferred amazing freshness of 2016 vintage. By far one of the best producers of Australian Grenache, and a must try.

Good, but preferred amazing freshness of 2016 vintage. By far one of the best producers of Australian Grenache, and a must try.

Sep 28th, 2018
Brianna Carvalho (Rycyk)

Sales Verity Wine Partners

9.2

Barossa Valley Grenache that drinks like its from France. Early picking keeps that fresh acidity and velvety texture.

Barossa Valley Grenache that drinks like its from France. Early picking keeps that fresh acidity and velvety texture.

1 person found it helpfulOct 22nd, 2015
Gerald Montoya

Nose shows some spice and red fruit. Palate is more engaging with meaty red and blue fruit, spice, and violets. Great structure lifts the fruit up front and grounds it on the rear palate. Well balanced even at 15%Abv. Elegant and inspiring.

Nose shows some spice and red fruit. Palate is more engaging with meaty red and blue fruit, spice, and violets. Great structure lifts the fruit up front and grounds it on the rear palate. Well balanced even at 15%Abv. Elegant and inspiring.

Sep 4th, 2015
Louis

Very smooth

Very smooth

Jan 30th, 2022
Amanda Burton

I really like it, except it’s a bit too smoky...

I really like it, except it’s a bit too smoky...

Sep 26th, 2020
John Maltese

Stored this for about 6 years as best I could, fully expecting it to be oxidized. But it’s still drinkable. Deep ruby red leaning to brown. Blueberry/raspberry on the nose. Nice tannins. Velvety and smooth. Boozy like sangria. Drank it chilled. Very nice.

Stored this for about 6 years as best I could, fully expecting it to be oxidized. But it’s still drinkable. Deep ruby red leaning to brown. Blueberry/raspberry on the nose. Nice tannins. Velvety and smooth. Boozy like sangria. Drank it chilled. Very nice.

Jun 15th, 2020
Jed
8.4

This is what you pays your money for. Medium purple, deeply perfumed, red fruit, accented with white pepper. Finessed, structured, juicy and with a mellow smokiness on the finish. I don't entirely believe in the Rhone-grapes-down-under theory, but here we go. Do yourself a favor and buy this when you can't quite afford it, then drink it with whatever you're having that night. Like your favorite pair of old jeans.

This is what you pays your money for. Medium purple, deeply perfumed, red fruit, accented with white pepper. Finessed, structured, juicy and with a mellow smokiness on the finish. I don't entirely believe in the Rhone-grapes-down-under theory, but here we go. Do yourself a favor and buy this when you can't quite afford it, then drink it with whatever you're having that night. Like your favorite pair of old jeans.

May 30th, 2017
Chris Clouten

Solid, if not amazing. Strong red berry with a bit of spice and pepper

Solid, if not amazing. Strong red berry with a bit of spice and pepper

Jan 25th, 2017
Kyra McLardie

Delicious fruit forward, strawberry grenache from Barossa Valley

Delicious fruit forward, strawberry grenache from Barossa Valley

Dec 3rd, 2016
Brian Grech

Oh Grenache, I am sorry for all those mean things I used to say about you.

Oh Grenache, I am sorry for all those mean things I used to say about you.

Sep 24th, 2016