Thunderstone is a new venture from Tony Davis and Remond Sweeny. This union of two mates, sometimes known under the banner of Snake & Herring, is united by a shared passion for land, grape, and the boundless potential of the Great Southern.
Rooted in Tony’s backyard of Porongurup and enriched by Remond’s deep knowledge of the region. In the Porongurup Ranges, the Wishart family have farmed the land for three generations, now in the care of young Laura Wishart, this vineyard forms the foundation for the three inaugural releases.
Thunderstone marks a progressive step into the future of Western Australia’s southern lands — a journey long in the making, now finally realised.
2024 Thunderstone Riesling
$41 | 93 Points
A site on shallow gravelly soil with a northern aspect, this is 100% free run juice. Brimming with riesling purity, this opens with green apples, line skin and a spray of Elderflower blooms. Racy with driving acidity and some ornately stitched phenolics. This is bone dry but woven with quince and Greengage plum fruit flavours that carry for long moments. There is a steely character that would brace well with the creamy garlic notes of mussels in white wine sauce or grilled fish and tartar sauce. A confident first release. Drink now or cellar further say 5-8 years.
2024 Thunderstone Chardonnay
$67 | 94 Points
A mix of ancient soils in this geologically diverse bedrock, the grapes were handpicked and whole bunch pressed to French oak puncheons of which 50% was new. Aged on lees for 10 months. Released after resting for 2 years in bottle. Meyer lemons, lanolin oil squeezed from wool, orange blossom honey and fresh linen. There is some silica like granules and white stone too. Citrus and tensile, this widens with some oatmeal cream but manages to drive down the palate with electric energy. Very fresh, vibrant and stony. A wine that already speaks of place, long ago times and immoveable rock. This is a very welcome addition to the spread of more tropical and cushion like curves from other parts of Western Australia. Keep your eye on this wine, a first release with marked impressions. Drink now or cellar for another 4-6 years further. Try this with baked ricotta, hot honey heaped over focaccia.
2024 Thunderstone Pinot Noir
$67 | 93 Points
A vineyard that is the result of observation, patience,experimentation and vision from the Wishart family. This is a mix of clones 114 handpicked and destemmed, and utilising the whole bunches of 777. Pressed separately and matured in mostly French oak puncheons. The collective wisdom of two men such as Tony and Redmond shows here in this stunning fireworks display of crimson fruit. Lingonberries, bayberries and wild raspberries. There are subtle morello cherries in syrup, some togarashi threads and powdered chilli. Tannins are silty, they plume up like clouds of dust and spread wide across the palate. There is dimension and weight here, some cuddly warmth and very moreish. Another wine to watch, drink now or cellar for 3-4 years further. Try this with Crying tiger beef from your local Thai restaurant.
