Thorn Clarke - Shotfire
Barossa Valley (Australia)

The Estate
 The winery owners are David and Cheryl Clarke (born Thorn) and their son Sam is the manager of the winery. The Thorn-Clarke family has a long history in the Barossa - six generations of involvement in the region's world famous wine industry. The Thorns have been grape growers in the Barossa since the 1870's. David Clarke's passion for the wine industry lead to the planting of the Kabininge vineyard outside of Tanunda in 1987, which represents the start of a deeper involvement by the family in the Barossa wine industry. 

Thorn-Clarke Wines was launched in 2002 as a result of the 37 year marriage between David and Cheryl Clarke (nee Thorn). The Thorn family have grown vines in the Barossa since the 1870’s and still proudly own and manage some of the oldest vineyards in the region.
The wine is another reward for geologist David Clarke and his family. The family has planted four diverse Barossa vineyards over the last 20 years, enabling them to blend wines grown from different terroirs which adds complexity and richness to the wine.
“When we started out 20 years ago I knew from my geological research that the varied Barossa geology and soil types offered us a broad palate to work with. Then when we started making trial blends in the 1990s it became clear that the vineyards complemented each other brilliantly and provided us with a new level of flavor complexity. We have blended to take advantage of these sub regional and micro climatic characteristics.”
“Our philosophy is to over-deliver in terms of the quality we offer at each price level.  Wine lovers remember wines which are stunning value and we work hard to ensure that whether people buy the Sandpiper range at $15 or the Shotfire range at $23 they are drinking wines that are excellent value for money.” -David Clarke


The Thorn-Clarke family
Ron Thorn, Cheryl Clarke (born Thorn), Sam Clarke, Brian Clarke and David Clarke.
The Vineyards
 Outstanding parcels of 100% Barossa Valley fruit are selected from the Kabininge vineyard for these wines which then receive special oak maturation treatment in our Barossa cellars. The result is a rich and voluptuous Barossa Shiraz and an exciting Cuvée.
Vinification techniques: crushing and de-stemming into open fermenters. Pumping over twice daily to maximise color, tannin and flavor extraction. Cooling is used to ensure ferments remain in the 22-25°C range which will allow the wine to display maximum fruit expression. Pressing then occurs approximately 7 days after crushing and the resulting wine is put into French and American oak.
“The key to good Malbec is being able to successfully ripen the fruit. Our St Kitts vineyard at the Northern end of the Barossa provides a fantastic environment to do that.”
“The Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc fruit come from the old vine Kabininge Block near Krondorf on the Barossa Valley flore and they provide wonderful upfront berry fruits; the Malbec from the drier northern St Kitts vineyard balances the cool climate Angaston vineyard Petit Verdot which provides great depth of flavor and intensity, while the Merlot, also from St Kitts, gives the palate a wonderful suppleness. The grainy tannins add to the rich mouth feel of the wine.” -Sam Clarke
The Wines











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UPC code: 8 53065 00018 4
2007 Thorn-Clarke, Shotfire, Chardonnay, Barossa Valley 12/750ml
"The 2007 Shotfire Chardonnay is light gold-colored with obvious oak aromas. On the palate it has good depth and concentration, ample fruit, lively acidity, and a medium-long finish. Drink it over the next 2-3 years."
- Wine Advocate (Dec. 09), 87 pts

UPC code: 8 53065 00018 4
2006 Thorn-Clarke, Shotfire, Chardonnay, Barossa Valley 12/750ml
"Pale yellow. Smoky apple and yellow plum on the nose, with buttery, leesy notes adding complexity. Spicy orchard and citrus flavors display an attractively juicy quality, with nervy mineral notes on the back. Turns a bit warm on the finish, picking up peach pit and apricot notes."
 - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 88 pts

"The 2006 Chardonnay “Shotfire” offers aromatic complexity including notes of mineral, poached pear, and melon. Supple-textured, it has ample ripe fruit and good depth. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. It offers excellent value."
- Wine Advocate (#173, Oct. 2007), 89 pts

National Retail Price: $19.99 / bottle



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Dowload Shotfire Shiraz
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shelf talker / case card

2008 Thorn-Clarke, Shotfire, Shiraz, Barossa Valley 12/750ml
#A0EE294021SZL
UPC code: 8 53065 00015 3
The grapes are crushed and destemmed into open 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 Celsius 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.
14 to 16 months in 40% new American and French hogsheads, with the balance going into 2nd and 3rd fill barrels.
The 2008 vintage was early with just below average rainfall throughout the year.
Deep red color. Very lifted and intense nose of blackberry fruit, sweet spice and dark chocolate. The palate is very rich and flavorsome with blackberry and plum fruit. In addition to the primary fruit characters there is plenty of complexity in this wine with spice, earthy notes and graphite also evident. There is heaps of mouthfilling flavor complemented by chalky tannins. There is great length of fruit as well.

"Inky ruby. Exotically perfumed aromas of cherry-cola, vanilla and boysenberry, with a hint of cracked pepper adding vivacity. Lush and creamy on the palate, offering sweet dark fruit flavors and a building note of bitter chocolate. Very rich but not overdone, finishing with very good breadth and sweetness. This needs rich food, like a piece of grilled lamb or a pungent blue cheese."
- Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (July 2010), 89 pts

"The 2008 Shotfire Shiraz was aged for 14-16 months in 40% new French and American oak hogsheads. Purple-colored, it offers up a nose of toasty oak, Asian spices, incense, blueberry, and blackberry. On the palate it has excellent flavors in a plush, nearly opulent style. The wine is balanced, rich, fleshy, and ripe. Drink this full-flavored effort over the next 6-8 years."
- Wine Advocate (Dec. 09), 90 pts

2007 Thorn-Clarke, Shotfire, Shiraz, Barossa Valley 12/750ml
#A0EE294048SZL
UPC code: 8 53065 00015 3
2007 vintage was a mild growing season with very low crops resulting in wines with good color and flavor that achieved optimum ripeness.
The grapes are crushed and destemmed into open 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 Celsius 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.
Aged 14 to 16 months in 40% new American and French hogsheads, with the balance going into 2nd and 3rd fill barrels.
Deep red/purple in color. A lifted nose of clean blackberry fruit accompanied by cedar wood characters, the oak elements are complex and layered with mocha and spices. The palate shows sweet fruit characters dominated by blackberry and plum, complimented by sweet Indian spices, in particular Turmeric and Cinnamon. The sweet fruit characters are balanced by rich savory elements. The mid-weight palate is rich and mouth filling; finishing with fine-grained tannins and great length of the savory fruit and oak

International Wine Challenge, London
GOLD MEDAL

"The 2007 Shotfire Shiraz was aged for 12-18 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak, 40% new. A saturated purple/black in color, this glass-coating effort has a nose of wood smoke, bacon, mineral, and blueberry that leaps from the glass. Rich and intense on the palate, it has layers of flavor, excellent balance, and a pure finish. It way over-delivers for its humble price. Drink it over the next six years."
- Wine Advocate (Feb. 09), 92 pts

#A0EE294008SZL
UPC code: 8 53065 00015 3
2006 Thorn-Clarke, Shotfire, Shiraz, Barossa Valley 12/750ml
"Aims for refinement and achieves a supple balance of ripe plum and currant fruit against a range of sweet spices and fine tannins, lingering gently and expressively. Production was split between cork and screw-cap closures. Tasted from cork. Drink now through 2016."
 - Wine Spectator (Oct. 2007), 91 pts
#57 on the TOP 100 WINES FOR 2007

UPC code: 8 53065 00015 3
2005 Thorn-Clarke, Shotfire Shiraz, Barossa Valley 12/750ml
 "The 2005 Shiraz Shotfire Ridge beefs up the oak and fruit intensity in a full-bodied, chocolaty, rich, ball buster styled Barossa Shiraz that coats the palate, stains the teeth, and provides an intense mouthful of wine. It should drink well for 10-12 years. It is a remarkable value."
- Wine Advocate (#167, Oct 2006), 92 pts

"Polished, focused and gorgeously balanced to display its raspberry, cherry and red plum notes in impressive harmony, the flavors lingering against a touch of oak and refined tannins on the long finish. Drink now through 2015." - Wine Spectator (Insider, Apr 4, 2007), 92 pts 
- SMART BUY

"Deep, saturated purple. Dusty deep aromas of espresso-tinged blackberry, blueberry and blackcurrant. Lush, velvety and sweet, the blackberry and blueberry flavors veering toward liqueur-like but retaining focus and clarity. I suspect that many hard-core Old World palates might find this a bit too much but I'm impressed." 
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 90 pts

 "This is OUTSTANDING.  New oak, concentration, rich texture and long finish.  And there’s more: great cellaring potential, even though it is so delicious now.  Bright deep red/purple color.  Knock-your-socks-off bouquet of cedar oak, black berries, dark cherries and plums with a touch of chocolate.  The ultra rich palate has a dense, weighty mid palate yet is super smooth and finishes with dark chocolate tannins.  The length is very, very long.  The best thing about this wine is that its powerful palate is superbly balanced and well-proportioned.  At its best: now to 2015." - Wine Orbit, 96 pts

National Retail Price: $19.99 / bottle


 #A0GG294054SZL
UPC code: 8 53065 00015 3
2005 Thorn-Clarke, Shotfire, Shiraz 12/375ml
National Retail Price: $13.99 / bottle



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A0EE294006BLL
UPC code: 8 53065 00017 7
2007 Thorn-Clarke, Shotfire Cuvée, Barossa Valley 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 Celsius 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: 18 months in tight grain French (85%) and American oak (15%).
45% Cabernet Sauvignon , 25% Petit Verdot, 14% Merlot, 11% Malbec, 5% Shiraz
2007 vintage was a mild growing season with very low crops resulting in wines with good color and flavor that achieved optimum ripeness.

The color is deep red. The palate is full and complex, medium bodied. The wine is elegant and distinctive, displaying characters of berry fruit and plumb, accompanied by cherry spice characters. Supported by spicy oak complexity the tannins are balanced and complement the mouthfilling flavor. The wine has great vibrancy and poise which are evident on the long seamless finish.

"Ripe, focused and silky, with a mild bite of tannins to support the cedary black cherry and spice flavors, lingering effectively on the expressive finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec. Drink now through 2014."
- Wine Spectator (Sept. 2009), 90 pts

"The 2007 Shotfire Cuvee is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Shiraz which was aged for 18 months in French and American oak. The wine is well-made but reflects some of the difficulties of the vintage. On the palate the wine is a bit lean, sinewy, and structured. It may fill out but the safest bet is to drink it near-term."
- Wine Advocate (Dec. 09), 87 pts

#A0EE294076BLL
UPC code: 8 53065 00017 7
2006 Thorn-Clarke, Shotfire Cuvée, Barossa Valley 12/750ml
2006 Vintage was a very mild growing season ensuring all the varieties used in the Shotfire Cuvee achieved optimal ripeness and were harvested at maximum flavor.
Cabernet Sauvignon 43%; Cabernet Franc 19%; Malbec 18%; Petite Verdot 8%; Shiraz 4%
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.
Aged for 18 months in tight grain French (85%) and American oak (15%).
The color is a deep inky red. There is good concentration of violets on the nose with some lifted perfume from the Petit Verdot. The palate is rich, ripe and medium to full bodied. The wine is bursting with flavors of blackcurrant, plums and Christmas pudding and shows great balance with the supporting spicy oak adding complexity and character. The tannins are chewy and complement the mouthfilling flavor you get when you taste the wine. The wine has great vibrancy and poise which are evident on the long seamless finish.

"Vivid ruby-red. Fragrant red berry, cherry and Asian spice aromas gain power with air, picking up suave cola and mineral notes. Energetic and sharply focused, with racy strawberry and raspberry flavors, nervy minerality and silky tannins. I really like the combination of sweetness and brightness here. Finishes clean, tangy and long. This is a real bargain."
- International Wine Cellar (Sept 2008), 90 pts

2005 Thorn-Clarke, Shotfire Cuvée, Barossa Valley 12/750ml
 “Elegant, expressive and appealing, offering plum, fresh currant and vibrant mulberry notes with hints of cream and sweet spices on the long, refined finish. Drink now through 2013.” H.S. - Wine Spectator (Apr 2007) - 91 pts

"Bright ruby. Seductive dark berry and kirsch aromas show good depth and are brightened by lively floral and mineral notes; there's oak here but it's playing a supporting role. Light on its feet, with pure blackberry and cassis flavors building in power through the finish. Delicious and impressively balanced."
- International Wine Cellar (July/Aug 2007), 90 pts

National Retail Price: $19.99 / bottle


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#A0EE294076SZL
UPC code: 8 53065 00016 0
2006 Thorn-Clarke, Shotfire, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley 12/750ml
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 5% Merlot.  Low-temperature fermentation in open fermenters, pumped over twice daily for maximum fruit expression.  Pressed seven days after crushing and transferred into fine grain French oak to mature.  Aged for 18 months in top quality French oak barrels. 
Blackberry and cassis fruit aromas. The palate is medium bodied with lovely sweet berry, liquorice and toasty French oak. Finishes with great length of cherry ripe fruit balanced by silky, seductive tannins.

"The 2006 Shotfire Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 18 months in French oak. Purple-colored, it offers up a fragrant bouquet of cedar, spice box, earth notes, black currant, and blackberry. Bordering on opulent, it has gobs of savory black fruit, excellent balance, and a fruit-filled finish. It will provide pleasure over the next eight years."
- Wine Advocate (Feb. 09), 91 pts


"Inky ruby. Dark cherry and cassis on the nose, with suave vanilla, cola and floral qualities adding complexity. Medium-bodied red and dark berry flavors are impressively pure, with fully absorbed tannins and gentle acidity on the back end. A very nicely balanced wine with no excess sweetness or weight."
 - International Wine Cellar (Sept 2008), 90 pts

National Retail Price: $19.99 / bottle