Thorn Clarke - Milton Park
South Eastern Australia

The Estate
The Thorn-Clarke families have been growing grapes in the Barossa and Eden Valley regions of South Australia for many years. They bought the property in 1990 (at that time it was run as a dairy). When looking for a source of grapes that would allow for high quality, affordable wines to be produced for the Milton Park range, South Eastern Australia's irrigated river regions was the answer. The Thorn-Clarke philosophy of supplying outstanding wines at each price level carries through to the Milton Park range, every measure has been taken to ensure this objective has been met. The resulting wines show character, consistency and true varietal attributes - a range of excellent wines at very reasonable prices.

The Thorn-Clarke family
Ron Thorn, Cheryl Clarke (born Thorn), Sam Clarke, Brian Clarke and David Clarke.

Milton Park Vineyard

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#A1EE294099CHS
UPC code: 8 53065 00067 2
2008 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Chardonnay 12/750ml
The grapes were crushed, destemmed and then pressed using a membrane press. Pressings were not used. Fermented using French Yeast at 12-15 degrees Celcius. The ferment was kept slow and cool to retain all the natural flavours of the grape. The wine was then racked and filtered. Bottling took place soon afterwards so the wine was a true expression of the grape and the terroir from which it was made.
The color is a rich vibrant green. The nose shows lifted clean, sweet fruit of apricot and peach. The palate is medium to full bodied and exhibits predominantly peach and nectarine flavours, with cloves and cardamom evident from the use of a small amount of French oak. The wine finishes full and long with a nice balance of sweet fruit and creaminess.


#A1EE294011CHS
UPC code: 8 53065 00067 2
2007 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Chardonnay 12/750ml
2007 Vintage had a mild and long ripening season. These conditions favored the accumulation of fruit driven and vibrant wines with great acidity.
The grapes were crushed, destemmed and then pressed using a membrane press. Pressings were not used. Fermented using French Yeast at 12-15 degrees Celcius. The ferment was kept slow and cool to retain all the natural flavours of the grape. The wine was then racked and filtered. Bottling took place soon afterwards so the wine was a true expression of the grape and the terroir from which it was made.
The color is a rich vibrant green. The nose shows lifted clean, sweet fruit of apricot and peach. The palate is medium to full bodied and exhibits predominantly peach and nectarine flavours, with cloves and cardamom evident from the use of a small amount of French oak. The wine finishes full and long with a nice balance of sweet fruit and creaminess.

87 PTS - WHITE VALUE - Wine Advocate (Feb. 09)

"Light yellow. Musky pear and peach on the nose, with light spice and floral qualities adding interest. Light-bodied orchard fruit and melon flavors are a touch sweet, but offer good palate-coating depth. An easy-drinking chardonnay that offers good straightforward fruit and some finishing cling. "
- International Wine Cellar (July/Aug 2008), 87 pts


National Retail Price: $12.99 / bottle

#A1EE294058RSS
UPC code: 8 53065 00073 3
2008 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Riesling, Eden Valley 12/750ml
2006 Vintage had a mild and long ripening season. These conditions favored the accumulation of fruit driven and vibrant wines.
The grapes were crushed and de-stemmed then gently pressed to minimize tannin extraction. The juice was settled for 3 days then racked and yeast added. Cool fermentation with temperatures maintained between 12°C-14°C, to ensure maximum fruit expression. The wine was then filtered and bottled to retain all the freshness and vitality.
The wine is a very pale straw with a green tinge. The nose has lifted lemon sherbert and a lime fragrance. The palate is medium bodied with subtle and elegant sweet lemon fruit. Combined with the clean racy acid the flavour builds in the mouth and results in a long finish of intense fruit with lime and lemon rind.

National Retail Price: $12.99 / bottle

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2007 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Shiraz 12/750ml
#A0EE294018SZL
UPC code: 8 53065 00068 9
The grapes are crushed and destemmed into fermenters. Yeast is added immediately once in fermenter and the ferments are pumped over twice daily to maximize color, tannin and flavor extraction. Cooling is used to ensure ferments remain in the 22-25 degrees 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 predominantly American oak to mature.
2007 was a mild growing season with very low crops resulting in wines with good color and flavor, that achieved optimum ripeness.

The color is a deep red. The nose is clean and lifted, with complex characters of bitter chocolate and thyme. A lovely rich and creamy mouth feel is accompanied by soft integrated tannins. There are predominant flavors of plum, anise and raspberry, backed by spicy notes throughout the pallet. Good length of chocolate and plumb fruit characters combine well to create a long finish.

88 pts - RED VALUE - Wine Advocate (Feb. 09)

#A0EE294065SZL
UPC code: 8 53065 00068 9
2006 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Shiraz 12/750ml
The grapes are crushed and destemmed into fermenters. Yeast is added immediately once in fermenter and the ferments are pumped over twice daily to maximize color, tannin and flavor extraction. Cooling is used to ensure ferments remain in the 22-25 degrees 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 predominantly American oak to mature.
2006 Vintage had a mild and long ripening season. These conditions favored the accumulation of intense color and flavors in the Shiraz grapes.

The color is a deep inky purple. The nose is a complex mixture of ripe blackberry and plum fruit with a dash of creamy vanillin oak. The palate is medium to full bodied which starts with some sweet plummy fruit, the flavor then builds in the palate to provide an explosion of raspberry flavors. There is some lovely mouth coating tannins which combine with dark chocolate oak and fruit to provide a great depth and length of flavor.

"The 2006 Shiraz contains 6% Nebbiolo. Crimson-colored, it has an attractive nose of spice box, blueberry, and blackberry. Medium-bodied, it has more than ample ripe fruit, good depth, and solid length. It is a Best Buy in savory Shiraz. The Milton Park label is produced by Thorn-Clarke. The wines have been Best Buys year after year and the current releases continue the pattern." - Wine Advocate 9#173, Oct. 2007), 89 pts

"Ruby-red. Jammy blackberry and mulberry on the nose; reminds me of a zinfandel. Fresh, juicy dark berry flavors display a nice combination of poise and sweetness, with mocha and candied licorice notes adding complexity. Soft, silky and sweet on the concentrated, persistent finish. There are no apparent tannins to get in the way of the vibrant fruit. This is one serious bargain."
- International Wine Cellar (July/Aug 2007), 88 pts

#A0EE29435
UPC code: 8 53065 00068 9
2005 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Shiraz 12/750ml
"A superb value, the 2005 Shiraz Milton Park is unbelievable for this price point. It reveals copious amounts of blackberries, black cherries, tar, licorice, and a hint of oak. Beautifully textured, rich, full-bodied, and lush, it should be consumed over the next 3-4 years." 
- Wine Advocate (#167, Oct 2006), 90 pts

"Almost unbelievable for the price, this rich, extracted wine offers boatloads of ripe black cherry and currant fruit, with hints of vanilla and black pepper sailing through to the finish. Could easily pass for $20 wine."
- Washington Post (Nov. 15, 2006),
"Thanksgiving Wine Recommendation"

National Retail Price: $12.99 / bottle

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#A0EE294017MRM
UPC code: 8 53065 00074 0
2007 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Merlot 12/750ml
"Ruby-red. Jammy red and dark berry aromas are complicated by fresh rose, cinnamon and nutmeg. Light-bodied raspberry and cherry preserve flavors offer straightforward appeal, with a subtle bite of acidity adding lift. Finishes clean and brisk, with good length."
- International Wine Cellar (July/Aug 2008), 88 pts

#A0EE29464
UPC code: 8 53065 00074 0
2006 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Merlot 12/750ml
The grapes are crushed and destemmed into fermenters. Yeast is added immediately once in fermenter, the must is then pumped over twice daily to maximize color, tannin and flavor extraction. Cooling is used to ensure ferments remain in the 22-25 degrees Celsuis 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 12 months.
Pretty crimson red in color. The nose is a lifted bouquet of berry and liquorice fruit, with the added complexity of custard powder oak. The palate is mid weight but full flavored with sweet blueberry fruit and cinnamon spice. The tannins are typical of Merlot, being velvety and well integrated. There is an amazing length of berry fruit and vanilla oak on the finish.

National Retail Price: $12.99 / bottle