Thistledown Cunning Plan Shiraz 2023

95 POINTS

Marcus Ellis - Halliday Wine Companion

From McLaren Flat, matured in mainly seasoned French oak, with 10% new. Tart boysenberry and black cherry, wild raspberry, anise, faint vanilla bean, a little pepper, roasted coffee bean, some light floral notes, violet and the like. Like last year, there’s an effortlessness about this wine, a mid-weighted ease and supple texture, its composure and flow quietly compelling.

93 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

While the 2023 vintage in McLaren Vale was something of a mixed bag, there’s some lovely, kind of atypical and spicy wines that came out of it. This is one example of that.  It comes from a vineyard on the McLaren Flat. Spicy, meaty, blackberry, blood plum and aniseed. It’s medium-bodied, again the meaty and spicy character, but with ample juicy dark fruit, vibrant acidity, and a grainy gently chalky grip to tannin, a slight juniper berry tang and pepper on a finish of very good length. Gee, I like this. It’s stylish and so nicely turned out. Touch and go for 94 points, and the best Cunning Plan to date, I reckon.

92 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2023 Cunning Plan Shiraz is vibrant, high-toned and floral, with attractive red and purple fruits, energetic acid and tannins that feel embossed into the very experience. It’s cracking value for the money ($32 AUD/$21 USD/19 euros) and eloquently expresses McLaren Vale, most importantly. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

Angus Hughson - Vinous

This understated 2023 Shiraz The Cunning Plan is tight and lacking in generosity. It has tarry, bitumen tones, spicy lift and heavily extracted flavors that lack vibrancy before a tight finish.