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Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz
Thorn Clarke
Australia - South Australia - Barossa Valley

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.

Specifications
Appellation
Barossa Valley
Wine Type
Red
Varietal(s)
76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Shiraz.
Vinification
The grapes are crushed and de-stemmed into fermenters. Yeast is added immediately once in fermenter and the ferments are 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 will allow the fruit to display maximum fruit expression. Pressing then occurs approximately seven days after crushing and the wine is then put into a mix of French and American oak to mature for 14 to 16 months.
Pairings

Pairs well with Australian lamb chops, rack of lamb.

Reviews and News

2015 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa - 91 PTS - WA

2015 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa - 91 PTS - WA

wa91"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

2015 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa - 89 PTS - WS

2015 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa - 89 PTS - WS

wine spectator 89 pts"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."

- Wine Spectator (December 2017), 89 pts

Go To Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa

2015 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa - 88 PTS - WE

2015 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa - 88 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 88 pts"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"

- Wine Enthusiast (February 1st 2019), 88 pts

2013 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz - 90 PTS - VINOUS

2013 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz - 90 PTS - VINOUS

"vinous logo 250(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"
- Vinous (March 2016), 90 pts

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2012 Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz 91 PTS - IWC

2012 Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz 91 PTS - IWC

tanzer iwc 91 pts"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."
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (July / August 2014), 91 pts

Go to Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz

2012 Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz - 92 PTS - AWC

2012 Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz - 92 PTS - AWC

"jhawc logo 25076/24% 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"

- Australian Wine Companion (Issue 2016), 92 pts

Go to Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz

2011 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa - 87 PTS - WA

2011 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa - 87 PTS - WA

Wine Advocate 87 Pts."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."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #208, August 2013), 87 pts

Go To Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa

2010 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa - 91 PTS - WA

2010 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa - 91 PTS - WA

Wine Advocate 91 Pts."Another winner and sensational, the 2010 Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz is a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44% Shiraz. A whopper of a wine, it is deep ruby/purple and possesses loads of glycerin and full body along with stunning notes of wood spice, graphite, blackberry and pepper. Rich, chewy, and dense, in a typically bold, exuberant Aussie style, this is a wine to drink over the next 6-10 years."

Wine Advocate (Issue 201, June 2012), 91 pts

Go To Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa

2010 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa - 91 PTS - Decanter

2010 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa - 91 PTS - Decanter

"Barossa class at an affordable price.Luscious, rich plums, black wine gums and licorice with a firm fine tannin chassis"

Decanter (December 2012), 91 pts

Go To Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa

2010 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa - 90 PTS - WS

2010 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa - 90 PTS - WS

wine spectator 90 pts"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"

Wine Spectator (October 15th 2012), 90 pts

Go To 2010 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa

Producer Information: Thorn Clarke

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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