2022 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz, Barossa

Medium-deep crimson. Elderberry, black cherry, praline aromas with hint marzipan notes. Sweet blackberry, mulberry fruits, chocolaty firm textures and balanced marzipan notes. Firm grippy tannins at the finish. Very good density, vinosity and flow.

94 points Andrew Caillard & Jeni Port for The Vintage Journal 2026

Thorn-Clarke’s Shotfire range of wines pays tribute to the 1870s gold discovering Clarke forbears. 

From the long and temperate 2022 season, the grapes for this regional blend were de-stemmed into fermenters which were pumped over twice daily to maximise colour, tannin and flavour extraction, with cooling used to ensure ferments remained between 22-25 degrees. The pressed wine was matured for fourteen months in American oak hogsheads of which 40% were new, with the balance a combination of second and third fill barrels of the same kind.

The 2022 vintage of the much-loved Shotfire Shiraz is a generous red opening with aromas of ripe red and black fruit layered with dark chocolate, spice and smoky oak. Rich and mouth-filling the complex and opulent flavours are supported by dense but fine, savoury tannins.

A traditional, bold style of Barossa Shiraz, this drinks well on release, and the 2022 vintage promises to cellar well. Would partner well with hearty meals that centre on charcoal grilled meats and vegetables.

About this producer

The Clarke family settled in the Barossa already in the 1870s, but the story of Thorn-Clarke begins in 1987, when David and Cheryl (nee Thorn) Clarke bought their Tanunda property and promptly started to plant their first vineyard. It was Cheryl’s father and her brothers that in the end were instrumental in bringing the vineyard to premium shape, and after years of selling fruit to wine producing neighbours, 1998 produced the first small batches of Shiraz to be labelled Thorn-Clarke.

Today, the family is custodian to 240 hectares of vineyards across the Barossa and Eden Valleys, with sites in Kabininge, St Kitts, Truro, Milton Park and Mount Crawford. As a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, all aspects of their business are regularly audited to minimise their environmental impact.