It is hard to believe that it’s been almost a year since our last Newsletter. It has been a year of adjustment, learning how to do everything in the vineyard and winery in true Dave Robertson style. We like to think he would be proud of his girls’ achievements in the 12 months since his death - a renovated cellar door and office; ten medals at the 2002 Mudgee Wine Show; a new bore to “drought-proof” the vineyard; and completion of the winemaking for all the 2000 and 2001 Thistle Hill wines that Dave started.

Thistle Hill’s cellar-door had a makeover in February, with a new colour scheme that reflects the vivid blues and burnt oranges of our label. The front of the winery houses a new garden and undercover eating area, perfect for enjoying a glass of wine and beautiful views over the Erudgere Valley. Lesley decided that Dave’s philosophy on office-work was inadequate (“when you fill up a desk, you buy another desk!”) so the office has also had a complete makeover.

This year, Ian MacRae from Miramar made Thistle Hill’s 2002 Riesling, 2002 Pinot Noir and most of the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon. We decided that our winery had become depressingly quiet, so we handpicked two tonnes of our Cabernet grapes, dusted off the crusher and the basket press and lovingly made our very first wine. This wine is now in French oak barrels and is progressing beautifully. We plan to launch the 2002 Basket Press Cabernet as a special release in a few years time.

Thistle Hill was very successful at this year’s Mudgee Wine Show, winning ten awards including two Gold medals. A very special Gold medal was awarded to the 1997 Dave’s Cabernet Sauvignon, released soon after his death last year, in the Open Vintage Dry Red class. We also won a Gold medal for our 1988 Cabernet Sauvignon in the Museum Class Dry Red.

Silver medals went to the 2001 Semillon (not yet released), the 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon (Museum Class) and the delicious 1984 Muscat in the Fortified section.

Bronze medals went to our 2002 Riesling and 2001 Chardonnay, both yet to be released, along with our current wines, the 2000 Chardonnay and 1998 Late Harvest Riesling.

We currently have a range of wines for sale through the cellar door, plus a once-only release of some Museum wines, only for our mailing list customers.

A lovely straw yellow, this Riesling has a bouquet of lifted tropical fruit. The palate has layers of citrus, melon and tropical fruit with a long, crisp acid finish. Drink 2002-2006.

A portion of the 1997 Semillon vintage was retained in the cellar for this special release as a mature wine. It is golden in colour, because of its age, with a subtle bouquet of developed aged Semillon, and a palate balanced with complex fruit and acid. This wine won a gold medal and trophy in the 1999 Mudgee Wine Show and cellaring has made it even more delicious. Drink 2002-2004.

The 2000 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 bronze medal in this year’s Mudgee wine show, is drinking well now and will develop even further with cellaring. Drink 2002-2004.

Cherry red in colour, the 2000 Pinot Noir has a bouquet of plum and smoky French oak. The palate has hints of ripe cherry and plum, with delicate spice and fine tannins providing a soft, lingering finish. If you can bear to put this one down, you’ll be rewarded with a complex mature wine of smoky old Pinot character. Drink 2002-2006.

This wine is deep red in colour with aromas of plum, oak and a hint of spice. The palate is soft and velvety with lingering fruit and sweet American oak. This wine, being lighter than traditional Thistle Hill Cabernets, is ready to drink now but will mature elegantly with cellaring. Drink 2002-2007.

A dark red colour, this blend of Cabernet and Shiraz has rich aromas of blackberry, pepper and oak that excite the senses. The palate is soft, showing blackcurrant and spicy oak with a firm, lingering finish. Drink 2002-2005.

The 1997 Muscat has a light red colour. It smells and tastes of fresh Muscat grapes and aged brandy. This is a delicious liqueur, smoky and raisiny with caramel and spice adding complexity to the palate. The 1997 Muscat is available in handy 375ml (half) bottles only. Drink – constantly.

As usual, we have two special offers available to our mailing list customers only:

Special Mixed Dozen - $189.00. This mixed dozen is made up of two bottles of each of our current wines – two 2001 Riesling, two 1997 Reserve Semillon, two 2000 Chardonnay, two 2000 Pinot Noir, two 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon and two 2000 Cabernet Shiraz. The special represents a saving of more than $30.

1998 Semillon - $80.00 per case. This is such an unbelievable price that many people ask what’s wrong with it! This lovely wine is simply in competition with the 1997 Reserve Semillon in the cellar door, so we are currently selling the younger wine at a significantly reduced price.

As soon as it was released, the 1997 Dave’s Cabernet Sauvignon sold out very quickly, however, we have a very small number of 1500ml Magnum bottles of this special Cabernet (which won a gold medal at this year’s Mudgee Wine Show) for those of you who would like some more. The Magnums are $60 a bottle, or $75 in a wooden presentation box, which is a great idea for special birthdays, weddings or christenings.

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 since their release, in a temperature-controlled environment and under the watchful eye of the family! With many of the bottles carrying the original Thistle Hill label featuring the phoenix, some would consider the wines to be true collector’s items!

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 two wines per customer. Please specify which wines you would like on the order form enclosed.

Many of you may have already visited our recently renovated on-site cottage in the vineyard this year. With a completely new kitchen and bathroom, new carpet and furnishings, and lovely outdoor dining area, our rates are very reasonable at $80 for the cottage, plus $20 per person per night. This includes all linen and a continental breakfast, and 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

Thistle Hill has received many favourable reviews in the past six months, with articles appearing in The Weekend Australian, the Sunday Telegraph, the Canberra Times, the Mosman Daily, and the North Shore Times. At a time of increased competition with hundreds of new labels appearing on the market, we are very happy that our wines have been recognized for their special qualities.

It’s strawberry season, and what better way to serve them than fresh, sprinkled with a little icing sugar and a couple of tablespoons of Thistle Hill Muscat Liqueur. Simply luscious.

We have received overwhelming support from many avenues throughout the year and would like to thank those who have taken the time to drop by or call to pass on their regards. Thanks also go to those who have simply enjoyed a bottle or two of our wines this year. Hearing about a glass of Thistle Hill being enjoyed over a meal with friends is truly the most rewarding part of our job. Be sure to keep it up!

We also managed to tentatively send out our first email newsletter this year. If you would like to receive our (fairly sporadic!) updates via email, please include your email address on the order form and we will add you to our list.

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