{"product_id":"2025-thistledown-sands-of-time-grenache-750ml","title":"2025 Thistledown 'Sands of Time' Grenache 750ml","description":"\u003ch4\u003eAwards, Ratings \u0026amp; Reviews\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97\/100\u003c\/strong\u003e — Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion · 2025 Vintage · Published: 16 March 2026\u003cbr\u003e“From the 1952-planted Trott vineyard, which was sold in '26, although the source will likely be a constant for Thistledown. Like the Smarty vineyard bottling, this has a distinct imprint of site, and with a super-gentle touch, where ferments (30% whole bunch layered in concrete) are not worked, just managed; the transparency of making is a magnifying glass on place. Darker red fruits, as usual, more earthy, with some black spice notes and bergamot tea. Red and black cherry, rosehip, quite floral, if subdued, reds and blues. This seems more refined each year, even in what was a warm and dry year. It’s a fine trajectory, and another superb release.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2024 Vintage Highlights\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBEST WINE OF SHOW\u003c\/strong\u003e — McLaren Vale Wine Show\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBEST GRENACHE\u003c\/strong\u003e — McLaren Vale Wine Show\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBEST SINGLE VINEYARD WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e — McLaren Vale Wine Show\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBEST ONE YEAR OLD GRENACHE\u003c\/strong\u003e — McLaren Vale Wine Show\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRED WINE OF THE YEAR — The Real Review \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97+\/100\u003c\/strong\u003e — Wine Advocate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97\/100\u003c\/strong\u003e — Halliday Wine Companion · Special Value\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97\/100\u003c\/strong\u003e — South Australian Wine Guide (The Vintage Journal) · BEST OF THE BEST\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAbout This Wine\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSands of Time is produced from Sue Trott's Home Block in the Blewitt Springs sub-region of McLaren Vale. The elevated site, planted with dry-grown bush-trained Grenache vines on deep, free-draining sandy soils, has supplied this wine for more than 14 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnowledge gained from working with the vineyard has enabled continual refinement of harvest timing and winemaking. Since the 2017 vintage, the vineyard has been bottled separately to showcase its distinctive site expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard was planted in 1952 and consistently produces Grenache of remarkable purity, intensity and elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is hand-picked and naturally vinified in concrete. Whole bunches are layered alternately with de-stemmed fruit to create a \"layer cake\" ferment. A slow, gentle fermentation is followed by maturation in oak and concrete before the final blend is bottled unfined and unfiltered after 10 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the 2024 vintage onwards, Sands of Time carries the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia Trust Mark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eProducer Notes\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA faithful expression of the site – beautiful, haunting aromatics, fine sandy tannins and wonderful, memorable length on the palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly 3,000 bottles and 54 magnums were produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable for vegetarians \u0026amp; vegans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVintage: 2025\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrape Variety: Grenache\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRegion: Blewitt Springs \/ McLaren Vale \/ South Australia \/ Australia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFermentation: Naturally fermented in concrete using alternating layers of whole bunches and de-stemmed fruit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaturation: Matured in oak and concrete before bottling after 10 months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduction Attributes: Single Vineyard; Dry-grown; Bush-trained Vines; Unfined; Unfiltered; Sustainable Winegrowing Australia Trust Mark\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVineyard \/ Geo Info: Sue Trott's Home Block, planted in 1952 on deep sandy soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Cellarhand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52241499652398,"sku":"1861873267","price":96.98,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/6596\/6894\/files\/359478c4730b0258f9fdf7053c69cdf6.png?v=1782442140","url":"https:\/\/www.jcfinewines.au\/products\/2025-thistledown-sands-of-time-grenache-750ml","provider":"JC FINE WINES","version":"1.0","type":"link"}