2004-2005 Vintage
It’s been a while since our last newsletter, but Thistle Hill is still going really well and we have been busy producing some lovely new wines. The 2004 Vintage was one of our best, yielding 80 tonnes of delicious fruit from our 27 acres of grapes. The grapes were hand picked and then processed using our antique basket press to create wines with lovely soft tannins. These wines are now in oak and will be released in a few years time.

We have just finished our 2005 Vintage, and, thanks to a relatively cool summer, the grapes ripened slowly and evenly, so this year’s wines should be excellent. However, our dams are getting low and we could do with some more rain, so if any of you have any influence on the weather, we would appreciate your help!

Organics – No chemicals, no headaches
We are very excited about the growing interest in organic food, wine, agriculture and other produce, and believe that more and more people are becoming convinced that chemical-free living is good for their health. The benefits of growing grapes organically at Thistle Hill are no more apparent than at vintage - when tonnes of ripe grapes spill into our winery.

We believe that, like organic tomatoes, our grapes have more intense fruit flavours and natural sweetness than grapes grown commercially, and these flavours are then reflected in the wines. We don’t spray anything that might harm the environment, so no pesticides, herbicides or systemic fungicides are used. Instead, we rely on an army of natural predators, like birds, spiders and lizards, to keep our vines in balance with nature. Try our wines and taste the difference!

Also, for some time now, cardiologists have sung the praises of drinking a glass of red wine every day for the heart, so we invite you to sit back and celebrate your health with a glass of organic red wine from Thistle Hill.

2005 Wine Shows
We are planning to attend several Wine and Food Fairs this year and would love you to come and visit us and taste our current range.

Thistle Hill will be at the following events:
• Hunters Hill Food and Wine, Sunday, May 1, 11am – 5pm.
• Blackheath Wine and Food Fair, Saturday, May 7, 10am – 4pm.
• Good Food and Wine Show, Exhibition Center, Darling Harbour July 1 – 3.
• Balmoral Wine and Food Fair, Sunday, August 14, 10am – 5pm.
• Manly Wine and Food Fair, Sunday, October 23, 10am – 5pm.

Our Current Wines

2004 Riesling
A lovely straw yellow, this impressive Riesling has a floral bouquet of lime and tropical fruit. The palate has fresh lime, citrus and melon flavours and a long clean palate. This wine won a Bronze Medal at the 2004 Mudgee Wine Show, is showing complexity and depth and will mature well in the bottle for many years. Drink 2005-2010.

2001 Semillon
A bright, sparkling lemon colour with tinges of green, this lovely Semillon has a rich bouquet of tropical fruit aromas and vanillin oak. The palate is rich and smooth with lingering fruit flavours, soft integrated oak and a long crisp acid finish. This Semillon won a Silver Medal at the 2003 Mudgee Wine Show and is drinking well now. It will continue to mature for a few more years. Drink 2003-2008.

2001 Chardonnay
The 2001 Chardonnay is mid straw in colour with a strong bouquet of peach, melon and integrated oak. The palate is rich and creamy, with hints of tropical fruit, refreshing lime and a firm, lifted acid finish. This wine won a Silver Medal in the 2003 and 2004 Mudgee Wine Shows, is drinking well now and will develop even further with cellaring. Drink 2003-2009.

2002 Pinot Noir
A bright burgundy colour, this Pinot Noir has a complex aroma of plum and cherry, nicely blended with traces of smoky French oak. On the palate there is a gentle combination of plum, rich vanilla and French oak. Fine tannins and crisp acidity form a lingering finish. This delicious Pinot is drinking well now, however if you can bear to put it down for a few years your taste buds will be delighted by complex old Pinot characters. Drink 2004-2009.

2001 Shiraz
A deep red colour, this elegant Shiraz has rich aromas of dark plum and spice. The palate is soft, showing blackcurrant and plum flavours, balanced with sweet American oak. This wine won a Bronze Medal at the 2004 Mudgee Wine Show and will benefit from cellaring for a few years, to add softness and complexity. Drink 2004-2008.

2001 Premium Cabernet Sauvignon
A deep red colour, this elegant Cabernet Sauvignon has rich aromas of plum, ripe berries and sweet American oak, and is the last Cabernet that Dave Robertson made. The palate is complex with plum, spice, oak and tobacco flavours developing into a long lingering finish. This cabernet won a silver medal at the 2004 Mudgee Wine Show. Drink 2004-2010.

1997 Liqueur Muscat (375ml)
A light red colour, this delicious Muscat smells and tastes of raisins and aged brandy. This is a lovely liqueur, smoky and raisiny with caramel and spice adding complexity to the palate. This wine won a Bronze Medal at the 2003 Mudgee Wine Show and is available in 375ml (half) bottles only. Drink constantly.

Orders
You can order all the above wines on our accompanying order form. Just fax the form to us, or send your order in the reply paid envelope. You can also order online, on our secure website at www.thistlehill.com.au.

Note: All the above wines are available in both 12 AND 6-pack cartons. Our 6-pack cartons are sold at half the price of the 12-pack cartons … just specify your requirements on the order form.

Special offers:
We have five special offers available to our mailing list customers only:

Special Mixed Dozen - $190.00. This mixed dozen is made up of two bottles of each of our current wines – two 2004 Riesling, two 2001 Semillon, two 2001 Chardonnay, two 2002 Pinot Noir, two 2001 Shiraz and two 2001 Premium Cabernet Sauvignon. This special represents a saving of $34.00.

Special Half Dozen - $95.00. This half dozen is made up of one bottle of each of our current wines – one 2004 Riesling, one 2001 Semillon, one 2001 Chardonnay, one 2002 Pinot Noir, one 2001 Shiraz and one 2001 Premium Cabernet Sauvignon. This special represents a saving of $17.00.

2003 Riesling - $90.00 per case. With the release of the 2004 Riesling, we have a limited number of cases of 2003 Riesling left in stock. This Riesling is fresh and dry with a bouquet of lime and melon, and classic dry Riesling flavours. At $8.00 a bottle, or $90.00 a case, this is a bargain!

2000 Chardonnay - $162.00 per case. We also have a limited number of cases of 2000 Chardonnay, which won a silver medal at the 2004 Mudgee Wine Show. We are offering this wine to our mailing list customers at a reduced price of $14.00 a bottle or $162.00 per case. This represents a saving of $36.00 for the case.

2000 Cabernet Shiraz - $162.00 per case. This easy drinking 2000 Cabernet / Shiraz blend won a bronze medal at the 2003 Mudgee Wine Show. We are offering this wine to our mailing list customers at a reduced price of $14 a bottle, or $162.00 per case, which represents a saving of $84.00 a case!

Very Limited Release of Thistle Hill Museum Wines
We are offering in this newsletter a once-only release of some very old Thistle Hill Wines. The wines have been cellared in the winery, in a temperature-controlled environment and under the watchful eye of the family!

Because our stocks of these wines are understandably limited, the offer is on a strictly first-in, first-served basis and there is a limit of three of each museum wine per customer. Please specify the wines you would like on the order form enclosed.

1993 Riesling - $20 per bottle
1996 Riesling - $20 per bottle
1997 Riesling - $20 per bottle

1993 Chardonnay - $20 per bottle
1994 Chardonnay - $20 per bottle
1996 Chardonnay - $20 per bottle
1997 Chardonnay - $20 per bottle

1995 Pinot Noir - $25 per bottle
1996 Pinot Noir - $25 per bottle
1997 Pinot Noir - $25 per bottle

1994 Cabernet Sauvignon - $35 per bottle
1995 Cabernet Sauvignon - $35 per bottle
1996 Cabernet Sauvignon - $35 per bottle

1995 Merlot - $35.00 per bottle
1996 Merlot - $35.00 per bottle

Thistle Hill Cottage
Mudgee is proving to be a very popular destination for tourists who want a break from their routine. The town offers many attractions, from wine, honey and olive tasting, to locally made cheeses and chocolates and excellent cafes and restaurants. Our cottage offers a home away from home, with three bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, lounge, dining and outdoor patio. Our rates are very reasonable at $80 for the cottage, plus $20 per person per night. This includes all linen and a continental breakfast. Children under two years are free. Bookings can be made by contacting Thistle Hill on (02) 6373 3546 or through our website – www.thistlehill.com.au

If you would like to receive our email newsletters, as well as these printed newsletters, please include your email address on the order form and we will add you to our list. Thanks for being a friend of Thistle Hill!!

Lesley, Lucy and Sally Robertson
Thistle Hill Vineyard
McDonalds Rd
Mudgee NSW 2850
Tel: (02) 6373 3546
Fax: (02) 6373 3540
Email: robertsn@winsoft.net.au
Website: www.thistlehill.com.au