“The 2024 Fool on the Hill Grenache is from Eden Valley, and the wine is abundantly aromatic and eloquent of its place. The tiered vineyard site is up near Pewsey Vale and overlooks the Barossa from its vantage point of 500 meters above sea level. The wine is aromatically soft, textural and plump in the mouth, with rose petals and blood orange, red apples and redcurrants. With a hint of pomegranate molasses, the quartz comes through, and there’s an integrated base of savory flavor that balances the exuberance of it. It’s a highly attractive, gorgeous wine that speaks of the Eden in its splay of rocky tannin. It is chewy and powdery and fills the mouth with floral perfume. It fermented in concrete, which was a “layer cake of whole bunch and whole berry,” says founder and winemaker Giles Cooke MW. The ferment received no pumping over, i.e., a very gentle extraction. Post ferment, it matured for 10 months in three- to five-year-old French puncheons. When I think of the three Grenache wines, I, perhaps controversially, given the others are from McLaren Vale, admire the tannin structure of this one the most. They all are magnificent wines.”
97+ points – The Wine Advocate

“Fermented in concrete pyramid with 20% whole bunches; 11 months in seasoned French oak. This from a new site to the brand, the Trial Hill vineyard, now owned and managed by Joel Mattschoss. This speaks the Thistledown dialect, expressly pure fruited yet intrinsically savoury, floral, elegant yet deep, finely but properly structured. There’s the usual cohort of red fruits, but it’s a little more earthy and spicy than its Vale peers. Day two is when this truly shines, becoming more fragrant with musk and souk spices. This is a wine to watch.”
96 points – Halliday Wine Companion

“Like freshly made strawberry jam spread onto warm scones—with a dried rose petal garnish—this McLaren Vale hard to stop smelling and sipping. It’s satiny, even sexy, with a freshness amidst the oodles of red berry fruit that makes it frighteningly gluggable while still being a “serious” wine.”
94 points – Wine Enthusiast

“A juicy, velvety and refined grenache with red cherries, dried raspberries, sliced strawberries and mild spices on the nose. Medium-bodied with velvety tannins and texture. It’s juicy and caressing, with bright fruit character. A lovely peppery touch on the mid-palate brings verve and energy. A flavorful, spicy and persistent finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
93 points – James Suckling

“The 2024 Grenache Fool on the Hill is reserved and gentle but not without charm as it offers up raspberry pastille and ham bone aromas with a delicate lining of woody herbs and spices. This is supple and silky, with red berry flavors that are a little pinched before tightening up on the finish.”
90 points – Vinous, Angus Hughson