KYSELA PERE ET FILS, LTD.

"Blue fruits, menthol, Asian spices, and peppery, subtly meaty notes all emerge from the 2020 Shiraz Shotfire, a round, fleshy, opulent beauty that has full-bodied richness, velvety tannins, and a great finish. All Shiraz aged in 40% American oak, drink bottles over the coming 3-5 years."

- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 91 pts

"Rich and slightly jammy with a hint of mint on the nose. Big and broad on the palate with excellent depth of black raspberry flavors and a hint of eucalyptus. Medium long finish with lots of richness and depth. Matured 14 months in 40% new American hogsheads. - Don WINKLER"

- International Wine Review (Kysela Père et Fils Importer: 30 Years Importing High Quality, High Value Wines ; July 26th 2024), 91 pts

"Shotfire refers to a family pioneer who worked the Barossa goldfields in the late 1800's. He had the hazardous job of being a 'Shotfirer' -- one who handled the explosives to be used in finding that rich vein of gold. Sourced from two Barossa Valley vineyards, it is aged for 14 months in American oak. Aromas of mulberry along with salted and cured meats leave an intrigue ahead for that first sip. White pepper, dried lavender, and Italian herbs season rich, ripe plum. Juicy and fragrant all the way, with dark chocolate mint, roses, and a deep dive into a graphite core. The finish of cinnamon-cocoa cedar is mesmerizing."

- The Tasting Panel (November/December 2021), 94 pts

"This is an attractively spicy wine on the nose with red, blue and black berries all in play, as well as an earthy edge and tarry elements. Some perfume, too. The palate has quite a deep-set, blue and black-fruit core with a long, sturdy palate that holds flavor and focus well. Drink or hold. Screw cap."

- James Suckling (November 2021), 92 pts

"Spicy and juicy, big and bold, Thorn-Clarke has been slinging fine shiraz for years. The 2019 Shotfire is everything you expect from Barossa — abundant red and dark fruit flavors seasoned with baking spice and smooth tannins on the finish. There’s also abundant alcohol, but the wine manages to pull it off without tasting hot."

- The Washington Post (January 2022)

"Destemmed, pressed approximately 7 days later, 14 months in American oak (40% new). Rich, layered, mocha/chocolate overtones to the black berry fruits are obvious."
-  Halliday Wine Companion (August 2020), 92 pts

"The gamey scent of mataro stands behind this wine's spicy red cherry flavors. The fruit is sweet, but that ripeness is edged with high-toned acidity that extends those cherry flavors in a salty, spicy finish. Pour it with spicy braised pork shoulder. - Joshua Greene"
- Wine & Spirits (December 2020), 91 pts, YEARS BEST South Australia Mediterranean Wines

"Good color; 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. - James Halliday"

- Halliday Wine Companion, 95 pts

"Gorgeously fruited and fragrant, the bouquet shows dark fruit richness with seductive notes of vanilla, game, spice and cedar, which lead to a succulent palate that is plush and silky. It is gorgeously flavoursome with loads of tasty flavours, wonderfully supported by velvety texture and supple tannins. - Sam KIM"

- Wine Orbit, 94 pts

"Opaque purple-red with a vibrant hue. Fresh blackcurrant fruit, a ripple of raspberry brightness and plenty of vanilla from 40% new American hogsheads, which also add grainy tannins. This helps to corset the wine into a medium-bodied, more athletic shape. - James Halliday"

- Halliday Wine Companion (July 23rd 2019), 93 pts

"Ripe, dark-fruited and sexy, the 2016 Shotfire Shiraz spent 14 months in American oak (40% new). Blackberries, cola and baking spices pick up hints of vanilla, while the full-bodied palate offers soft supple tannins and a long finish. - Joe Czerwinski"

- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 238, August 31st 2018), 91 pts

"The Clarke family farms 670 acres of vines in the Barossa and Eden valleys, which provide most of the fruit for its wines,including this blend from three vineyards. Shotfire isn't particularly complex, but it's satisfying and it hews to a classical profile of Barossa Shiraz: With scents of baking spices against earthy red fruit, this feels markedly cool and brisk. Decant it for flank steak or sautéed calf's liver with onions."

- Wine & Spirits Magazine (2017), 92 pts - BEST BUY - Year's Best Australian Shiraz

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"Youthful purple. Smoky blackberry, cherry cola and spicecake aromas show very good vivacity and clarity. Lush and appealingly sweet on the palate, offering juicy black and blue fruit preserve flavors and a hint of candied licorice. Shows impressive energy and supple tannins on the finish, which leaves juicy blueberry and peppery spice notes behind. - Josh Raynolds"
- Vinous (Australia Brings the Brawn and the Beauty, October 2017), 91 pts

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"Smoke, sandalwood and white pepper notes add aromatic complexity to the core flavors of plump plum, cherry and black currant. Generous and harmonious, with velvety tannins lingering. Drink now through 2027. 12,000 cases made. –MW"

- Wine Spectator (June 15th 2017), 90 pts

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"Offers fresh spearmint overtones to the chocolate-laced plum and black cherry flavors. Features fleshy tannins and plenty of gusto on the finish. Drink now through 2026. 18,000 cases made. –MW"

- Wine Spectator (June 15th 2016), 90 pts

Go to Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz Barossa Valley

"Glass-staining ruby. Musky dark berry, cherry pit and candied licorice on the nose; a subtle floral quality gains strength with air. Plush cherry and dark berry compote flavors show good depth and breadth and gain sweetness and a smoky mocha quality on the back half. Finishes on a gently tannic note, featuring a repeating dark fruit note and very good, sweet persistence. - Josh Raynolds"
- Vinous (Australia Brings the Brawn and the Beauty, October 2017), 90 pts

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"Champing at the bit to show off its sweet, jubey fruit but chains of herb-shot tannin keep the class in order. There is no doubting this is a beautiful wine to drink. It sits on the cusp of jamminess, all jellied and blackberried, its hints of raspberry and mint simply ramping the deliciousness higher. Value, what value. - James Halliday

- Australia Wine Companion (Issue 2016), 95 pts

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"Savvy shoppers may be able to find this for about $20, making it an excellent deal in a full-bodied, structured red wine. Cassis, vanilla and plum notes mark the nose and palate, finishing with a flourish of dusty-textured tannins.
Drink now - 2025. - J.C."
- Wine Enthusiast (June 2016), 92 pts - EDITORS' CHOICE

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"Supple, polished and expressive, with black olive-scented blackberry and cumin flavors, finishing with a creamy texture. Drink now through 2019. 12,000 cases made. –HS"

- Wine Spectator (November 15th 2015), 90 pts

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"(raised for 14 months in American oak hogsheads, 40% new): Vivid purple. Assertive aromas of ripe dark berries, cola and licorice pastille, with suggestions of mocha and violet building in the glass. Broad and supple on the palate, offering appealing sweet cassis and floral pastille flavors and a touch of cola. Shows real verve and solid thrust on a long, floral finish framed by gentle, harmonious tannins. - Josh Raynolds"
- Vinous (March 2016), 90 pts

Go to Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz Barossa Valley