The Effects of the Drought
Mudgee was blessed with wonderful rain in February and August this year, and we think it’s safe to say that the drought has now broken at Thistle Hill. Our dams, which were parched at the beginning of the year, are now full again and there is plenty of rainwater in our tanks. While it is true that grapes perform well under a bit of stress, the worst drought in 100 years took its toll on the vines when the fruit was developing late last year. We harvested a significantly reduced crop in March, but the berry flavours were intense, and the wines being made from them are already deliciously full-bodied and rich. Currently, budburst is well underway in the vineyard with fresh lime green leaves bursting from the vines, promising a fruitful vintage for 2004. Let’s drink to that!

The 2003 Wines
This year, with the help of our loyal staff and our wine consultant, Robert Paul, we made three red wines in our winery at Thistle Hill. These wines are our 2003 Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, all made from our organically grown, hand picked grapes. These wines are now maturing in French and American oak barrels and are progressing well, so you can expect some beautifully rich and complex wines when they are released in a few years.

The 2003 Wine Show Results
Thistle Hill had another successful year at the 2003 Mudgee Wine Show, winning seven medals including four silver and three bronze. Silver medals went to the 2001 Chardonnay, released in this newsletter, 2001 Premium Shiraz, not yet released, the 1997 Dave’s Cabernet Sauvignon and the Museum 1988 Cabernet Sauvignon. Bronze medals went to the 2001 Semillon, released in this newsletter, the 1997 Liqueur Muscat and the 1984 Liqueur Muscat.

Our Current Wines
We currently have a range of wines for sale through the cellar door, plus a once-only release of some Museum wines, which is only offered to our mailing list customers.

2002 Riesling
A lovely straw yellow, this impressive Riesling has a bouquet of tropical and citrus aromas and classic Riesling varietal characters. It is a fresh wine with a bright floral nose and a long clean palate. This wine won a Bronze Medal at the 2002 Mudgee Wine Show, is showing complexity and depth and will mature well in the bottle for many years. Drink 2002-2006.

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. The Semillon won a Silver Medal at the 2002 Mudgee Wine Show and is drinking well now. It will continue to mature for a few more years. Drink 2003-2006.

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 Mudgee Wine Show, is drinking well now and will develop even further with cellaring. Drink 2003-2009.

2001 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 rewarded with complex aged Pinot characters. Drink 2002-2007.

2000 Cabernet Shiraz
A dark red colour, this elegant Cabernet Shiraz has rich aromas of blackberry, pepper and oak, which excite the senses. The palate is soft, showing blackcurrant and spicy oak with a soft lingering finish. This wine won a Bronze Medal at the 2002 Mudgee Wine Show. It is drinking well now and will continue to mature for a few more years. Drink 2002-2005.

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 2002 Mudgee Wine Show and will benefit from cellaring for a few years, to add softness and complexity. Drink 2002-2007.

1999 Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep red in colour, this five-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of plum, oak and a hint of spice. The palate is soft and velvety with lingering fruit and sweet American oak. This wine won a Bronze Medal at the 2000 Mudgee Wine Show is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2002-2007.

1997 Liqueur Muscat
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.

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

Special offers:
We have three 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 2002 Riesling, two 2001 Semillon, two 2001 Chardonnay, two 2001 Pinot Noir, two 2001 Shiraz and two 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon. This special represents a saving of $30.

Special Half Dozen - $95.00. This half dozen is made up of one bottle of each of our current wines – one 2002 Riesling, one 2001 Semillon, one 2001 Chardonnay, one 2001 Pinot Noir, one 2001 Shiraz and one 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon. This special represents a saving of $15.

2000 Chardonnay - $140.00 per case. Since the release of our 2001 Chardonnay, we have a limited number of cases of 2000 Chardonnay left. So we are offering this wine at a reduced price of $12.00 a bottle or $140.00 a case. This represents a saving of $58.00!

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! With many of the bottles carrying the original Thistle Hill label featuring the phoenix, which some of you might remember, we 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 three of any museum wine per customer. Please specify the wines you would like on the order form enclosed.

1990 Riesling - $20 per bottle
1991 Riesling - $20 per bottle
1993 Riesling - $20 per bottle
1994 Riesling - $20 per bottle

1990 Chardonnay - $20 per bottle
1991 Chardonnay - $20 per bottle
1992 Chardonnay - $20 per bottle
1993 Chardonnay - $20 per bottle
1994 Chardonnay - $20 per bottle

1987 Pinot Noir - $25 per bottle
1988 Pinot Noir - $25 per bottle
1989 Pinot Noir - $25 per bottle
1991 Pinot Noir - $30 per bottle
1992 Pinot Noir - $30 per bottle
1995 Pinot Noir - $30 per bottle

1991 Cabernet Sauvignon - $35 per bottle
1994 Cabernet Sauvignon - $35 per bottle
1995 Cabernet Sauvignon - $35 per bottle

Thistle Hill Cottage
Many of our customers have already visited our on-site cottage since its exciting renovations. With a completely new kitchen and bathroom and lovely outdoor dining area, the cottage is now very popular. 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

NASAA Certified Organic – No Chemicals, No Headaches
Thistle Hill is an organic vineyard, registered by the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture in Australia (NASAA Certificate No 2211) but what does this mean? Well, it embodies a philosophy of sustainability - that what we are doing will not degrade the environment, in fact, it will enrich it. We rely on natural elements in the vineyard, and don’t use any insecticides, weedicides or synthetic fertilisers. Our fungicidal sprays are of elemental sulphur and copper only. The wine is then made in the traditional method using sulphur dioxide to prevent oxidation and to ensure microbiological stability. The end result is a healthier product, free from any harmful, residual chemicals. We receive many reassuring reports from our more sensitive customers that they don’t suffer sulphur allergies or other side effects after drinking our wine – while those less-sensitive drinkers just notice that they have fewer headaches in the morning! This is one of the great rewards of our organic status.

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