Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Reserve Shiraz

Shotfire Reserve Shiraz is a red wine from Thorn-Clarke in Australia, made entirely from Shiraz grown in the Kabininge vineyard, 270 metres above sea level on dark soil that holds the little water that falls. The wine is fermented under temperature control, pressed after about seven days and aged for 24 months in American oak, 40% of it new. It then spends a further two years in bottle, which has softened the tannins. Deep red, almost purple in colour, it smells of black cherry and liquorice with vanilla and mocha from the oak. The palate shows plums and spice over cocoa, smoked bacon and coffee beans, with soft, full tannins and a long, complex finish.