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| Country: | Australia |
| Region: | Barossa Valley |
| Winery: | Thorn Clarke |
| Grape Types: | Mourvedre Mataro |
| Vintage: | 2019 |
| Bottle Size: | 750 ml |
Thorn Clarke Single Vineyard Mataro is made from 100 percent Mataro.
The Single Vineyard Selection range focuses on single site, small batch wines, highlighting the true characteristics of each individual variety. Each block is hand selected by our winemaker and viticulturist each year, choosing the wines that best reflect the strengths of each individual vintage.
Striking with its inky red color and purple hues, a hallmark of a classic vintage. On the nose, briary black fruits are in abundance. Notes of Chinese five spice and currants also shine through. On the palate, blackberries and winter spice are evident. The generous and silky tannins in this wine support a long and complex finish.
The grapes were destemmed and fermented in 4 tonne open fermenters for a period of 10 days. The wine was pressed off into 10 year old oak where it was matured for a duration of 18 months before being racked in preparation for bottling. This wine has no filtration.
The Thorn Clarke 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.
The Thorn Clarke Vineyards
St Kitts and Truro Vineyards--Cooler, and with lower rainfall, these northern Barossa vineyards totaling 103 hectares, are at an elevation of between 380 and 410 meters.
Mt Crawford Vineyard--Late ripening, high rainfall and with elevations as high as 475 meters above sea level, this 37 hectare Eden Valley vineyard can easily be confused with the Adelaide Hills - which is after all just across the range. This site was specially selected as it was considered ideal to grow grape varieties which respond to cold climate.
Kabininge Vineyard--In stark contrast, the 33 hectare Kabininge vineyard is true Barossa Valley floor terroir. At just 270 meters above sea level red winegrapes ripen easily here.
Milton Park Vineyard--Located in classic Eden Valley country, between Angaston and Keyneton, the Milton Park vineyard has an elevation of between 330 and 400 meters above sea level.
4 Gatos Locos Cabernet Sauvignon Gualtallary is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
4 Gatos Locos is a project created by Gabriel Bloise, Facundo Bonamaizon, Mariana and Juan Pelizzatti - winemaker, viticulturist and founders of Chakana Winery (respectively). The project centers on a 20-hectare vineyard in Alto Gualtallary, the most prominent growing region in Argentina. The vineyard is situated 1,360 meters above sea level, on a 10% slope on the Sierra del Jaboncillo - a relatively old geological formation near the alluvial fan of the Las Tunas river, in the Tupungato area. The long exposure to arid conditions of calcium rich gravel has created one of the most calcium carbonate-rich areas in Mendoza. This combination of altitude, slope, gravel and the calcium carbonate create uniquely deep, textured wines, with intense color and mineral freshness. Moderate high temperatures controlled by high altitude in sunny conditions produce perfectly ripe grapes of unusually intense color and great vitality, balanced by the mineral freshness of calcium carbonate. Local aromatic plants, naturally occurring in native vegetation areas interspersed in the vineyard, give the wine a unique herbal touch that underline the character of the place.
Deep purple red colored with intense complex notes of red berries and spice, well integrated aromatic oak and very fine tannins structuring a powerful and elegant palate.
Four or more bottle orders will include the box the wine comes in.
Zombie Zin Zinfandel is made from 95% Zinfandel and 5% Syrah
Be careful if you go out at night. The Zombie Zin is designed to be consumed in hiding with the only friends you have left... post apocalypse.
The Zombie Zin is sporting a new label design with a torn look, that suggests a window into another world. The colors are more vibrant earth-tones and the capsule is a deep red.
The Zombie Zinfandel is very dark in color, almost a black-purple. The aromas are of ripe, dense black fruits and a hint of dried herbs. The flavors are complex and rich, sporting succulent blackberries, powdered cinnamon, cola and cherry jam. Just a hint of black pepper in the long finish.
The grapes for the Zombie are sourced throughout California, mostly from the dry, hot sandy soils of the Delta region and the Central Valley. The final blend benefitted from some inky Syrah grapes that came from the Central Coast. The wine was fermented in Stainless Steel and aged for about a half a year in American oak.
Pairs well with bloody BBQ meats, sinister soups with eye of newt, bubbly caldron of fleshy stew.
Castelmaure La Buvette is made from 60% Grenache, 40% Carignan
Vinification: Grenache - destemming in low temperature, short maceration..
Carignan - carbonic maceration.
Fining, filtration, cold stabilization.
A purple color, intense aromas of strawberry and cassis. Fresh and fruity in the mouth with silky smooth tannins. Great as an aperitif, it also pairs well will grilled meats, salads.
Babylons Peak Cinsault is made from 100 percent Cinsault.
Medium to light bodied. Fruit driven with spicy undertones. Soft tannins and fine complexity. A fruit driven wine with lively light palate and lingering mouthfeel.
Review:
"Savory aromas of black olives, grilled meat, thyme, peppercorns and dark fruit. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins and a flavorful, succulent and peppery palate. Drink now."
- James Suckling (December 2021), 90 pts
Siegel San Elias Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon.
Fresh and delicate cassis tones, a great structure. Draw the cork half an hour before serving and serve at room temperature.
Smooth and fruity on the palate, the wine goes well with pasta, salads.
St. James Winery Blackberry - NV is made from blackberries
10.4% Alcohol by Volume
12.7% Residual Sugar
Is it fresh picked blackberries in a bottle or St. James Winery Blackberry wine? Tough call.
Sweet and delicious served chilled with your favorite dessert or for no reason at all, except to enjoy.
Select Wine Competition Awards:
2011 GOLD San Francisco Chronicle
2010 SILVER San Francisco Chronicle
Thorn Clarke Single Vineyard Malbec is made from 100 percent Malbec.
The Single Vineyard Selection range focuses on single site, small batch wines, highlighting the true characteristics of each individual variety. Each block is hand selected by our winemaker and viticulturist each year, choosing the wines that best reflect the strengths of each individual vintage.
The wine is sourced from the most Northern area of the Barossa and featuring a vibrant purple hue. The nose is lifted with perfumed blueberry and satsuma plum evident. The palate is full bodied and rich with layers of blue fruits, Christmas spices and subtle complex French oak.
Pairs with braised Lamb Shank or Blue Vein Cheese.
Inky purple-red in color with intense depth to the rim. Aromas of sweet rich fruit and lifted cedar oak fill the glass. Abundant blackberry, violets and cigar box roll through the profile adding complexity and interest. The palate is round and silky with dark plum, liquorice, briar and blackberry primary fruits. The rich, toasty oak, and fleshy rounded tannins complete the palate of this dense, flowing wine. This poised and powerful wine is drinking amazingly well but with it's density and presence will cellar impeccably well.
Selected parcels of estate fruit were de-stemmed into our open fermenters and seeded with yeast. The ferments were pumped over twice daily to maximise color, tannin and flavor extraction. The temperature controlled fermenters allowed the ferments remain in the 22-25 °C range giving amazing fruit expression in the wine. Each parcel was pressed after a minimum of seven days fermenting on skins. The wine completed both primary and ML fermentation in tank before being filled to American oak hogsheads (300Ltrs) to mature. The wine was aged in a combination of new, 2nd and 3rd use barrels for up to 2 years. Prior to bottling the parcels were emptied from oak and
Rare roast beef or BBQ lamb cutlets
Review:
"Growers in Barossa for six generations, the Thorn-Clarke family farms close to 600 acres of vines, providing the fruit for this sleek, black-fruited shiraz. It’s silky- smooth, with the concentration and density of flavor that takes the tannins toward blood, iron and sage. A deep, dark wine with pleasure to spare, this begins to show floral scents of roses, then detailed flavors of plums and strawberries after a day open to air. - Joshua GREENE
- Wine & Spirits (December 2023), 93 pts
"Opaque dusty garnet color. Aromas and flavors of milk chocolate and coconut, blackberry syrup, eucalyptus, and pepper bbq sauce with a round, dry-yet-fruity full body and a hot, interesting, medium-long finish that exhibits notes of black berry bbq sauce, mint and eucalyptus, and chocolate sauce and vanilla with chewy, drying, coating tannins and light oak flavor. Knows that it is Barossa Shiraz and wears that moniker proudly tattooed as a sleeve; 10 out of 10 typicity here."
- Beverage Testing Institute (June 2023), 93 pts - GOLD MEDAL - Exceptional
Thorn Clarke Shotfire Shiraz is made from 100% Shiraz.
Striking deep red-purple in color. A rich, voluptuous wine with aromas of blackcurrant and mulberries accompanied by notes of smokey oak and hints of cloves. The palate is filled with dark fruits and chocolate backed up by taut tannins and lingering oak.
Story:
When the Clarke forebearers discovered gold in 1870 at the Lady Alice mine in the Barossa goldfields, so began a family dynasty intrigued by geology. A fine legacy that is reflected today in the terroir of our vineyards. The Shotfire range immortalizes the Shotfirer's hazardous job of setting and lighting the charges in the mines.
Fran shares his story on how he discovered Thorn-Clarke:
"It was October 2001 and I was searching for and sourcing for Australian wines, as it was clear that Australia was going to become the "next big thing." After tasting about 100 assorted wines, I decided I liked the style of Barossa, Shiraz best - chocolate, cherries, mint and eucalyptus - so I started focusing on Barossa growers (years later, Barossa Shiraz would develop its reputation as the Icon Shiraz for Australia).
Late on a Thursday afternoon, the carrier delivered a beat-up box of 12 bottles from Australia, 10 of which were leaking. The box was from a guy named Steve Machin, who had just left Hardy's and was beginning work with the Clarke family on setting up a possible new brand. The samples were sticky and messy, but I popped the corks anyway ..... and I was glad that I did. The wine inside tasted like Christmas - mint, eucalyptus, camphor, and evergreen aromas. Great acidity, color, flavor and length of finish - very tasty. These samples were so good and so exciting, especially compared to what I had tasted prior, that I immediately called the number on the card. I didn't realize that it was a Perth number (Western Australia) and it was actually 3:00 in the morning. It turned out I was calling the residence of David and Cheryl Clarke, where a sleepy Cheryl answered the phone. I told her, you don't know who I am, but we are going to be doing business together very soon, and lots of it! After a few months of talking, faxing (yes, faxing) and sorting out the details, I began importing their wines.
That super-star wine from the busted box of samples is the wine we know today as Shotfire Shiraz. It was originally called Stone Jar, but fortunately we came up with a better name. Many years and vintages later, I'm still glad to be importing Shotfire Shiraz and other Thorn-Clarke selections .... and I'm still glad that Cheryl Clarke woke up for that phone call."
Thorn Clarke Shotfire Shiraz is made from 100% Shiraz.
Striking deep red-purple in color. A rich, voluptuous wine with aromas of blackcurrant and mulberries accompanied by notes of smokey oak and hints of cloves. The palate is filled with dark fruits and chocolate backed up by taut tannins and lingering oak.
Story:
When the Clarke forebearers discovered gold in 1870 at the Lady Alice mine in the Barossa goldfields, so began a family dynasty intrigued by geology. A fine legacy that is reflected today in the terroir of our vineyards. The Shotfire range immortalizes the Shotfirer's hazardous job of setting and lighting the charges in the mines.
Fran shares his story on how he discovered Thorn-Clarke:
"It was October 2001 and I was searching for and sourcing for Australian wines, as it was clear that Australia was going to become the "next big thing." After tasting about 100 assorted wines, I decided I liked the style of Barossa, Shiraz best - chocolate, cherries, mint and eucalyptus - so I started focusing on Barossa growers (years later, Barossa Shiraz would develop its reputation as the Icon Shiraz for Australia).
Late on a Thursday afternoon, the carrier delivered a beat-up box of 12 bottles from Australia, 10 of which were leaking. The box was from a guy named Steve Machin, who had just left Hardy's and was beginning work with the Clarke family on setting up a possible new brand. The samples were sticky and messy, but I popped the corks anyway ..... and I was glad that I did. The wine inside tasted like Christmas - mint, eucalyptus, camphor, and evergreen aromas. Great acidity, color, flavor and length of finish - very tasty. These samples were so good and so exciting, especially compared to what I had tasted prior, that I immediately called the number on the card. I didn't realize that it was a Perth number (Western Australia) and it was actually 3:00 in the morning. It turned out I was calling the residence of David and Cheryl Clarke, where a sleepy Cheryl answered the phone. I told her, you don't know who I am, but we are going to be doing business together very soon, and lots of it! After a few months of talking, faxing (yes, faxing) and sorting out the details, I began importing their wines.
That super-star wine from the busted box of samples is the wine we know today as Shotfire Shiraz. It was originally called Stone Jar, but fortunately we came up with a better name. Many years and vintages later, I'm still glad to be importing Shotfire Shiraz and other Thorn-Clarke selections .... and I'm still glad that Cheryl Clarke woke up for that phone call."
Thorn Clarke Varietal Collection Pinot Gris is made from 100 percent Pinot Gris.
We believe that exceptional wines are created in the vineyard and that we are custodians, rather than creators of quality. Six generations of rich viticultural and geological family history has gone into creating these wines, which truly showcase the best of the Barossa & Eden Valley.
Pale straw in color with quartz green hues at the edge. A classic Pinot Gris style with lifted nashi pear, apples and nougat aromas. The palate is a textural, medium weight style with juicy pome fruits and zesty lime and grapefruit. A refreshing style with a subtle texture and long, fruit driven finish.
Thorn Clarke William Randell Cabernet is made from 100 percent Cabernet
The William Randell range of wines were created in honor of the family ancestor - the esteemed pioneer William Richard Randell (1824 - 1911). The wines are sourced solely from grapes grown on the family estate vineyards. Wines in this range are only made in exceptional vintages.
The deep red color with purple hues of this wine draw you in. The nose is brimming with notes of fresh blackcurrant intertwined with complexing savory spice. The palate has an integrated French oak influence with notes of toasty cedar accompanied by further notes of briary fruits. A wine with great depth and drive.
Valminor Albarino Rias Baixas is made from 100 percent Albarino.
Albariño is a Portuguese grape, native to the Miño River region, which separates Galicia & the Rias Baixas DO from Portugal. Albariño has a characteristic citrus aroma & high acidity.
Valminor Albarino presents a yellow straw color. On the nose, the wine shows a wide fruity range of aromas, with notes of fresh grapefruit, apricot and melon. In the mouth, Valminor combines fruity flavors and freshness with a rounded acidity, resulting in a balanced wine that boasts an opulent taste and slight spritziness.
Review:
"Elaborate swirls of lime, lemon, passionfruit and white peach entice the nose whilst the pristine purity of acidity and mineral freshness disarms the terroir-driven palate. Salty, linear and tangy, demonstrating Atlantic style at its best."
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2025, 97 pts and Platinum Medal
The word "Balade" is French for wandering. This is a fitting term for our annual exploration of single-vineyard Pinot Noir & Chardonnay blocks on the west coast. Each vintage, we will bottle only the most compelling and nuanced expression of pinot noir from a single selected vineyard and release it as a limited bottling.
Tasting Notes
Beautiful golden hue with enticing aromas of honeyed almond, vanilla custard, ripe pear, and hints of lemon zest. On the palate, lush notes of apricot, crisp green apple, and a touch of toasted hazelnut come forward. This wine has a well-balanced mouthfeel that dances on the palate with bright, lively acidity and subtle minerality, offering a stunning
expression of a coastal driven Chardonnay.