Thorn-Clarke Shiraz Barossa Valley James Goddard 2007

Big, rich and concentrated, a huge mouthful of peppery black cherry, plum and exotic spice flavors pulling themselves together into a supple wine that actually strives for elegance. Itrsquo;s all in the balance, which lets the rich flavors ride on a sleek track and linger beautifully. Tannins are refined. Best from 2008 through 2020.

Thorn-Clarkersquo;s midrange Shiraz is big and rich in the warm yet balanced rsquo;03 vintage. The winery is owned by David and Cheryl Clarke and managed by their son Sam. Cherylrsquo;s brother David Thorn manages the Kabininge vineyard just outside Tanunda, the source for Shotfire Ridge. The wine was aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels, roughly half new and the rest two or three years old.

Medium ruby. Toasty, tarry aromas of singed plum and dark cherry, along with sweeter notes of boysenberry and blackberry. Much more restrained than the Barossa cuveacute;e, with nicely delineated dark berry, espresso and licorice flavors. Fans of big, dense, sweet California zinfandel should be all over this wine, as it shares the same aromatic and flavor profile as top-notch zin at half the price. Finishes with a lush cregrave;me de cassis flavors and enticing lingering sweetness.

Aims for refinement and achieves a supple balance of ripe plum and currant fruit against a range of sweet spices and fine tannins. Lingers gently and expressively. Production was split between cork and screw-cap closures. Tasted from cork. Drink now through 2016.

A tremendous creation from Thorn-Clarke, the Terra Barossa Cuvée is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. It coats the mouth with loads of currant, blackberry, black cherry and sweet vanilla. Supple tannins keep the wine structured as the finish lingers on and on.

Polished, focused and gorgeously balanced to display its raspberry, cherry and red plum notes in impressive harmony. The flavors linger against a touch of oak and refined tannins on the long finish. Drink now through 2015.

Raisin fruit aromas complement chocolate, caramel and vanilla oak notes. The palate is endowed with ripe berry fruit, cregrave;me brulee and dark chocolate flavors that are rich and viscous, finishing with velvety soft tannins.