Grape

Shiraz/Syrah

Its Origins

Thorn-Clarke has a strong belief in the age old saying “you can’t make good wine from bad grapes”. In the late 1980’s governments were sponsoring growers to pull vines in an attempt to overcome an oversupply in the industry. Against trend, David Clarke, a geologist by training, set about testing soils and buying land (at one time under car headlights to avoid local farmer suspicion) with the intention of establishing his own vineyards in the Barossa. Developing a great understanding for the diversity of the Barossa, David purchased land in two sections of the Eden Valley and two in the Barossa Valley. The Eden Valley has since become synonymous with high quality white wines and the Barossa with high quality reds. The name Thorn-Clarke derives from the relationship between two long time Barossa families. The winery owners are David and Cheryl Clarke (nee Thorn) and their son Sam is manager of the winery. Cheryl’s brother, David Thorn manages the Mount Crawford and Kabininge vineyards for Thorn-Clarke Wines.

What The Critics Say

91/100 Wine Orbit, Sam Kim

"Beautifully fruited and attractively expressed, the bouquet shows Black Doris plum, blueberry, floral, almond and spice characters. The palate is delightfully smooth and fleshy, displaying juicy fruit intensity and silky texture, leading to a lengthy succulent finish. Very likable and highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2021. $21.00. July 2018." Drink 2018 - 2021

17+/20 Raymond Chan

"Full, very dark, deep, black-hued purple-red colour, youthful in appearance. The nose is softly full with rich aromas of blackberries and black plums interwoven with a little minerally reduction, unfolding some spice, liquorice and pepper elements. Full-bodied, the palate is soft, open and accessible with sweet fruit flavours of dark raspberries and blackberries with notes of plums and a little liquorice and eucalypt. The reductive elements are integrated and the palate has a plush mouthfeel, with some underlying alcohol drive. The tannins are soft and rounded, and the acidity integrated, lending a smooth, easy mouthfeel. This is a soft, plush, open and sweet-fruited Shiraz with dark raspberry, plum and peppery flavours, a hint eucalypt with supple tannins and a little alcohol drive. Serve with grilled and roasted red meats over the next 3+ years. Fruit from ‘St Kitts’, ‘Milton Park’ and ‘Kabininge’, fermented to 14.5% alc., the wine aged up to 12 months in seasoned French oak. 17.0+/20 Oct 2018 RRP AU$20.00."

4 Stars Winestate Magazine, Greatest Shiraz

"Attractive lifted perfumed fruit fragrances and rip rounded palate that has great flavour persistence, complexity and interest."