A faithful expression of the site beautiful, haunting aromatics, fine sandy tannins and wonderful, memorable length on the palate

The inspiration from the Barossas best old vine Grenache vineyards created Annexus, an addition to our Plexus blend. Annexus is a small unique blend selected from our best old low yielding Grenache vineyards, made only in the best years. Winemaking: Fermentation in small open top fermenters incorporating 20% whole bunches. Oak Maturation: 100% barrel maturated for 12 months, in older French oak hogsheads (300-litre barrels). Colour: Vibrant purple-red. Nose: Perfumed fruit aromatics complexed with savoury spice and charcuterie notes. Palate: Generous and rich and structured with texture and impressive flavour intensity. An array of red fruits, plum and raspberry fill the palate.

The signature Thistledown lifted aromatics are present but the palate offers more sinew and spice than those from McLaren Vale. Textural, almost chewy but polished dark cherry, mineral and warm spices carry through to a finish of incredible length.

The top-of-the-tree release, the Cru Classe Cotes de Provence is still the benchmark for Rose across the World. Pungent and highly nuanced, it features pale peach and star jasmine aromas. Full-bodied and velvety on the palate and finishes long with hints of Kumquat fruit.

Covered in a layer of metamorphic schist, the vineyards of Félines Minervois lie between two plateaux of calcareous soils – our vines are planted at an elevation of 300-400 metres. Forty acres of the plot are dedicated to Syrah and a small proportion of Roussanne, while the remaining land is planted to Grenache, Carignan, and Cinsault. These parcels are usually the last to be harvested in the appellation, due to their altitude and north/south-east facing aspect – the worst ravages of mid-summer afternoon heat are avoided.

Maison Tardieu-Laurent was founded in 1994 by Michel Tardieu and Dominique Laurent in the small but beautiful village of Lourmarin in Provence, although today it is completely in the hands of the Tardieu family and is one of the premier wine producers of the Rhone. This is from the famed appellation of Chateauneuf-du Pape and boasts all of the fabulous flavour attributes that this region can offer. The cepage is mourvedre, syrah and grenache. The wine exhibits savoury red fruit, a regional earthiness and hallmark silky tannins. Tardieu-Laurent are regarded as one of the consistenly high performers of the Rhone Valley.

YANGARRA ESTATE VINEYARD Ovitelli Grenache, McLaren Vale