Thorn Clarke Barrel Select Shiraz 2022
- 97
- $150
- Drink by: 2026-2051
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As the name indicates, the estate’s flagship wine is a barrel selection. Maturation was for twenty months in 300-litre American oak hogsheads, a mix of new, second and third use barrels, and there was a further period in bottle as well, before release. Under cork. This is an utterly gorgeous Barossa Valley Shiraz from a fine vintage. The colour is a deep bruised plum with maroon edges. The nose is all liqueur cherries with supporting vanillin oak which has been superbly integrated. There are notes of chocolate and cassis, mocha and coffee beans. Quintessential Barossa Valley Shiraz but ever so classy. From the gorgeous aromas, we move to a refined palate with immaculate balance and a fine line of energy through to silky tannins. The acidity provides a juiciness and there really is such impressive length here. Seamless in structure, the intensity is maintained for the full journey. This will surely provide pleasure for the next quarter of a century
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
