The Shotfire range honors 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.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blends are uniquely Australian and goes against the traditional winemaking grain. This wine embodies the Clarke families tendency to swim "against the current". In the 1980's when many growers were pulling out vines, David and Cheryl were planting.
Deep red in color with brick hues on release. Leafy cabernet varietal cabernet is balanced by ripe plum, licorice and slight eucalyptus characters on the nose. Upfront dark fruits and long grainy tannins dominate the palate. In addition, maturation on French oak adds spice and cedar-like characters. The wine has a distinct acid backbone which gives the wine long persistence.
Pairs well with Australian lamb chops, rack of lamb.
"The 2015 Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz is a 76-24 blend. It favours the Cabernet in its aromas and flavour profile as well, with mint and cassis leading the way, the Shiraz serving mainly to help round out the mid-palate and provide some juiciness to offset the dry Cabernet tannins. It should drink well for several more years. - Joe Czerwinski"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue # 238, August 31st 2018), 91 pts
Go To Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa
The name Thorn-Clarke represents the union between two families with deep roots in the Barossa Valley and six generations of grape growing. Cheryl Clarke’s (née Thorn) family were some of ...
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"Distinctive and effusive, with juniper and bay leaf notes leaping out of the glass, showing thick and plush plum compote and blackberry flavors at the core. Aromatic spice details continue to linger on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Drink now through 2023. 2,000 cases made."
"The nose of this wine offers a combo of ripe red berries and plums, vanilla, milky coffee, and touches of florals, eucalyptus and black pepper. The palate is ripe and rich but not overly heavy. The fruit flavor is dense and extracted, pulling spicy oak notes along with it. - Christina Pickard"
(aged in a combination of new and used French and American oak for 18 months): Bright violet color. A smoke-tinged bouquet evokes redcurrant, dried cherry, pipe tobacco and succulent herbs. Seamless and gently sweet, offering red berry compote, rose pastille and bitter chocolate flavors. Finishes long and gently tannic, with clinging sweetness and an echo of smokiness. - Josh Raynolds"
"Brilliant purple. Perfumed aromas of fresh cherry, boysenberry and cola, with a smoky topnote. Lush, round and supple, offering juicy dark fruit flavors that smoothly blend richness with vivacity. A very long, gently tannic finish features persistent dark berry flavors and a touch of peppery spices."
76/24% blend. Stern and gruff with dusty, herbal characters but sweet, curranty fruit wins the day. Good heft. Will continue to develop but is already drinking well. - James Halliday"
"The 2011 Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz (76% and 24% respectively) is a soft, velvety-textured effort displaying lots of peppery, meaty, bouquet garni notes interspersed with black currant and blackberry fruit. Round and succulent with low acidity and ripe tannin, it can be enjoyed over the next 2-3 years."
"Jazzy, lively and expressive, with focused red berry and mint flavors carried with finely judged acidity and refined tannins. Drink now through 2015. 1,200 cases made. - HS"
