Joel Mattschoss' Eden Valley vineyard provides the majority of the fruit. This spectacular vineyard is planted on some of the most difficult, meagre soils of any we have seen. Littered with boulders composed of ironstone and pink quartz, it is a truly challenging site. Vineyards are trellised, cordon trained and spur pruned.
This wine is all about great fruit, picked at the right time. Frequent vineyard walks determine exactly the right time for harvesting, when the fruit is full of energy. Wild fermented, using some whole bunch inclusion play their role in ensuring that this wine is full of bright, fleshy fruit with great texture and spice. Aged in French oak for 6 to 8 months prior to bottling.
As life-forces stir, a connection is born and a personality created. The Quickening celebrates the vivifying power of nature. This is the Barossa reimagined. An exuberant outpouring of energy, captured within a sculptured framework that reflects the rugged yet beautiful landscape of its conception. A deliciously vibrant style of Barossa Shiraz with succulent raspberry and blackcurrant fruit, hints of spice and elegant, glossy texture.
The Thistledown winery has given us, in this particular project, a stellar wine at an incredible price. It really will serve as a gateway to the entire range of their very select range of site-, grape- and vineyard-specific wines that come in at increasing increments. And we're fully aware that there may well be many who simply try this wine and not go any further. We couldn't blame you at all.
A real treat with crispy aromatic duck, roast rib of beef.
Robert Parkers The Wine Advocate 95 Points
Now this is a treat. The cool 2021 season has really gifted the 2021 The Quickening Shiraz with detail, openness and poise, and the tannins emerge as being one of the true highlights. They are ultra fine and grippy, a little bit chewy, and serve to frame the fruit in such a way that they extend the line and length of the experience. I'm smiling as I type this, and I think that's a great sign that I like the wine very much. Delicious. 95 Points, EL, September 2022.
Robert Parkers The Wine Advocate 92 Points
I just reviewed 2021 The Quickening Shiraz in September 2022, and while I wouldn't normally re-review a wine in such a short time, I thought I'd have a look at it and see where the wine now sits. We are now 10 months on from that review, and the wine has really settled into itself. The gloss of youth has subsided, but the legacy of the 2021 vintage has not. While the wine is less "exciting" today, it remains excellent, and the tannins are a big highlight here. You can hang onto this with ease, but drinking now will offer pleasure too. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. 92 Points, EL, August 2023
Region: Barossa
Country: Australia
Grape(s): Syrah
Style: Structured, Smooth, Rich, Powerful, Medium Full, Juicy, Intense, Full, Fruity, Elegant, Dry, Dark, Complex, Balanced
Best food matches: Wild Boar, Venison, Steak, Roasts, Red Meats, Pasta, Casseroles, Beef, Barbecue
Alcohol: 14.5%
