Thistledown “Charming Man” Old Vine Grenache Magnum 2021

96 points Robert Parker
96+ This wine is named after Bernard Smart, who owns the Smart vineyard in Clarendon. This 2021 The Charming Man Single Vineyard Grenache is more savory and fine-boned than the Sands of Time; there’s rose petal fruit and raspberry pip and iodine, kelp and graphite. There’s a bloody character here. I love it. It's savory, supple, whippy, pliable, mouth perfume.

96 points The Wine Front

95 points James Halliday
Pickled cherry, ume, lavender, rhubarb and poached plum. A waft of menthol, too, but nothing intrusive. The Smart vineyard is high and cool. Characterful, while pushing the svelte tannic line of grit and paradoxical elegance that mark the region's finest wines. All, let's face it, grenache. This is stellar. It grows in stature as it unravels and beams clove, white pepper and violet across a brilliant finish of real pizazz.

95 points The Vintage Journal

94 points James Suckling
Aromas of crushed red and black cherries, baked strawberries, rosemary stems and violets. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Perfumed and vibrant on the palate, with a solid core of red fruit. Pretty, but sturdy, with very nice depth and length.