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.

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#A1EE294105CHS
UPC code: 8 53065 00067 2
2010 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 flavors 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 flavors, 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.

#A1EE294024CHS
UPC code: 8 53065 00067 2
2009 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 flavors 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 flavors, 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.

"For $12, it is difficult to find a better Chardonnay than Thorn-Clarke’s 2009 Chardonnay Milton Park. Very Maconnais-like in character, with no evidence of wood (although some barrels are used), it offers up notes of white peaches, honeydew melons, and hint of spice. This fresh, medium-bodied, richly fruity white is meant to be consumed over the next 6-12 months."
- Wine Advocate (Aug. 2010), 87 pts
RECOMMENDED VALUE PICK


2008 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Chardonnay 12/750ml
"Fresh, clean, sunny, balanced and complete. This really tastes like Chardonnay, with some weight and texture and a somewhat velvety finish."
"For about $11, it’s a steal. The importer, Kysela Père et Fils of Winchester, Va., says the winery made 7,000 cases, of which 5,000 were imported into the U.S. and distributed to 40 states."
"BEST OF TASTING" - "VERY GOOD"
- The Wall Street Journal (July 09) "Australian Chardonnay: Not Back Yet"


National Retail Price: $11.99 / bottle

#A1EE294115RSS
UPC code: 8 53065 00073 3
2011 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Riesling, Eden Valley 12/750ml
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 pale straw in color. The nose is lifted and fragrant with lime and orange blossoms. The palate displays lemon and lime flavors typical of this variety. The finish is dry and crisp with lingering citrus characters.

2009 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Riesling, Eden Valley 12/750ml
"The crisp, lean, apple, tangerine, and nectarine-scented and flavored, medium-bodied, dry 2009 Riesling Milton Park is ideal for drinking over the next year."
- Wine Advocate (Aug. 2010), 87 pts
RECOMMENDED VALUE PICK

#A1EE294058RSS
UPC code: 8 53065 00073 3
2008 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Riesling, Eden Valley 12/750ml
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 pale straw in color. The nose is lifted and fragrant with lime and orange blossoms. The palate displays lemon and lime flavors typical of this variety. The finish is dry and crisp with lingering citrus characters.

National Retail Price: $11.99 / bottle

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2010 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Shiraz 12/750ml
#A0EE294069SZL
UPC code: 8 53065 00068 9
Aged for 12 months in American oak barrels.
Deep red color. The wine is deep and rich smelling with dark fruits, plums and spice with some good oak. There is very rich fruit on the palate with plums, blackberry and sweet spice from the oak. The palate is vibrant and young with a flavorsome viscous mouthfeel which will develop complexity with time. There are some slightly chewy tannins which will soften with time and there is great length of fruit flavor.

2009 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Shiraz 12/750ml
#A0EE294041SZL
UPC code: 8 53065 00068 9
Aged for 12 months in American oak barrels.
Deep red color. The wine is deep and rich smelling with dark fruits, plums and spice with some good oak. There is very rich fruit on the palate with plums, blackberry and sweet spice from the oak. The palate is vibrant and young with a flavorsome viscous mouthfeel which will develop complexity with time. There are some slightly chewy tannins which will soften with time and there is great length of fruit flavor.

"Fresh and open-textured, offering pure blackberry fruit, with white pepper and beef carpaccio hints on the refreshing finish. Drink now. 25,000 cases made. –HS"
- Wine Spectator (June 30th 2011) - 87 pts

National Retail Price: $12.99 / bottle


2009 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Shiraz 6/1.5L
#A0CC294053SZL
UPC code: 7 84585 01334 0
National Retail Price: $15.99 / Magnum

2008 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Shiraz 12/750ml
#A0EE294030SZL
UPC code: 8 53065 00068 9
2008 was a very warm year with harvest being completed in a very short period. The resultant wines from the vintage reflect the growing conditions with loads of upfront fruit and rich mouthfeel, meaning wines from this vintage will have a great deal of aging potential as well.
Aged for 12 months in American oak barrels.
Deep red color. The wine is deep and rich smelling with dark fruits, plums and spice with some good oak. There is very rich fruit on the palate with plums, blackberry and sweet spice from the oak. The palate is vibrant and young with a flavorsome viscous mouthfeel which will develop complexity with time. There are some slightly chewy tannins which will soften with time and there is great length of fruit flavor.

"The 2008 Milton Park Shiraz was aged in American oak. Aromas of spice box, plum, anise, and blueberry lead to a sweetly-fruited, smooth-textured wine with good depth and a medium-long finish. It can be enjoyed over the next 3-4 years."
- Wine Advocate (Dec. 09), 88 pts


National Retail Price: $12.99 / bottle

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#A0EE294059MRM
UPC code: 8 53065 00074 0
2009 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Merlot 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 a mix of French and American oak to mature.
12 months in tight grain French and American oak.

#A0EE294017MRM
UPC code: 8 53065 00074 0
2007 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Merlot 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 a mix of French and American oak to mature.
12 months in tight grain French and American oak.

Deep red in color. The nose has clean ripe blackcurrant fruit with nuances of liquorice, mint and chocolate oak characters. The palate is medium bodied with an abundance of rich, sweet fruit. Blueberry, raspberry and chocolate pudding fill the palate bringing depth and complexity. Very evenly balanced mouth-filling palate, with mid-weight tannins combining together to give a great length.

"The 2007 Milton Park Merlot, a part of which was exposed to American oak, dark ruby-colored, it offers up a pleasant perfume of spicy red fruits, especially cassis. Seamless, tasty, and easy to understand, this is a very good value in Merlot."
- Wine Advocate (Dec. 09), 87 pts

"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

#A0EE294064MRM
UPC code: 8 53065 00074 0
2006 Thorn-Clarke, Milton Park, Merlot 12/750ml

National Retail Price: $12.99 / bottle