THORN CLARKE SHOTFIRE SHIRAZ 2021

Thorn Clarke Shotfire Shiraz has big, ripe dark fruits with layers of spice, oak and savoury complexity all served up on a wonderfully rich and weighty palate with beautifully honed acidity keeping it all bright and fresh through the long finish. Fantastic!

Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"When the Clarke forbears discovered gold in 1870 at the Lady Alice mine in the Barossa goldfields, so began a family dynasty intrigued by geology. A fine legacy that is reflected today in the terroir of our vineyards. The Shotfire range immortilises the Shotfirer’s hazardous job of setting and lighting the charges.

The 2021 growing season had all the hallmarks of a classic vintage. Consistent warm temperatures without hot days produced perfect conditions for our red varieties to ripen. This along with good winter rains and a dry harvest period resulted in wines with great depth of varietal flavours, excellent tannin structure and colour along with a long balanced finish. Unlike 2019 and 2020 there were more normal yields in the vineyards, giving us the rare double of high quality with good volumes. Reds from 2021 will age well due to their intense concentration and power.

The grapes were de-stemmed into fermenters. Ferments were pumped over twice daily to maximise colour, tannin and flavour extraction. Cooling is used to ensure ferments remain in the 22-25 degree celcius range which allows maximum fruit expression in the wine. Pressing occurs approximately seven days after fermentation commences and the wine is then filled to American oak to mature (14 months in 40% new American hogsheads with the balance going into 2nd and 3rd fill barrels).

Dense and inky red in colour with vibrant purple at the rim. This classic Barossa Shiraz shows enticing ripe black cherry, Satsuma plum and blackberry on the nose, with baking spices and gentle oak in support. The palate is round and plush with dark berries, liquorice, dark chocolate, and ripe plum in abundance. Fine tannins and hints of savoury oak, lead to a classic, long finishing style. Delicious now but will drink exceedingly well for years to come."

Reviews for previous vintages below…

5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, September 2021 (2019 Vintage)
"This is beautifully styled and instantly appealing with Black Doris plum, blueberry, floral, vanilla and almond notes, leading to a wonderfully flavoursome palate that's succulent and silky. Well composed with plenty of tasty flavours. At its best: now to 2029."

Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, January 2022 (2019 Vintage)
"Aromas and flavours of dark berries, black currant and dark plums with a toasty, brooding, fresh, youthful, sweet fruited, licorice and dark chocolate package. Sweet ripe flavours are contrasted by acidity and toasty barrel spices – clove, vanilla and cedar. Moderately firm tannins add structure and mouthfeel contributing to a lengthy finish. Delicious, frsh, youthful and read to enjoy from today and through 2030+."

4 Stars Cuisine Australian Shiraz Tasting, June 2021 (2018 Vintage)
"A big, blockbuster wine with punchy upfront flavours of myriad sweet fruit; plums, blackberry, and macerated wild berries. This has a heady, rich palate with massive, bold tannins and a plump, sweet finish. After a lighter, cooler-vintage expression in 2017, this is back to its old big bold self."

95/100 James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion (2017 Vintage)
"Good colour; an immaculately balanced and elegant medium-bodied shiraz, benefiting from the cool vintage that has blown freshness into so many wines. Blackberry and red cherry both in the ring."

93/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, May 2019 (2017 Vintage)
"Ever-reliable shiraz out of the Barossa. It’s as much red-berried as black and that’s not a bad thing. It feels well-settled and sure-footed, its creamy texture helping the flavours swing impressively through the palate. Coffee-cream, a trace of fragrant dry herbs, and just enough firm/chocolatey tannin to keep it all neat. Buy with confidence."