Thorn Clarke "William Randell" Shiraz 2017
(Barossa Valley, Australia) - [JS 93] [WA 91] [WS 91] [WE 90]

About this Wine:
The William Randell range of wines were created in honor of our family ancestor - the esteemed pioneer William Richard Randell (1824 - 1911). The wines are sourced solely from grapes grown on our estate vineyards. Wines in this range are only made in exceptional vintages.

Appellation: Barossa Valley

Varietal: 100% Shiraz

Vinification
Following harvest the fruit was crushed into a variety of small fermenters (4 to 6T in capacity). Fermentation was carried out at a warm temperature (25-28 degrees). The ferments were manually pumped over to provide good control of tannin extraction. Each fermenter was treated as a separate parcel of wine and once dry was filled to American oak (40% new). Following malolactic fermentation the wines were racked and returned to the same oak. Parcels remained in barrel for an average of 18 months prior to blending. Only the best barrels from the multiple parcels were used to make the final blend. Once blended the wine was prepared for bottling.

Tasting Notes

Deep red with inky purple hues. This classic Barossa style shows rich blackberry, licorice, spice plum and smoky oak on the nose. The palate is dense with ripe mulberry and berry compote and generous supporting oak. The tannins are savory and long with spicy refined finish.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - James Suckling:
"This has impressive freshness of blue fruit and cola-like spices with blackberries and forest wood, as well as a blue-floral edge and some plum cake. The palate has a very vivid feel with such intense, fleshy fruit-presence that carries a long, succulent and flavorful finish. Impressively fresh. Drink over the next decade." (Nov 2021)

91 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The full-bodied 2017 William Randell Shiraz comes across as rather tannic and stern, its blackberry fruit framed by firm tannins and acids, buttressed by 18 months of élevage in 40% new French oak. Hints of maple syrup and cedar suggest some softening around the edges is possible in the short term, but I suspect this wine will always be on the rugged side." - Joe Czerwinski (Feb 2021)

91 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Generous, ripe and plump, featuring flavors of spiced plum, raspberry preserves and kirsch that are fresh and vibrant, with details of blood orange, violet, star anise and gingerbread. Shows terrific focus and persistence, singing on the finish. Drink now through 2035. 500 cases made, 120 cases imported." - MW (Apr 2020)

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Less jammy than the previous vintage, this is still a beast of a wine, but one with some layers and nuance. The nose is a dense combo of charred oak, golden beet, fleshy plum, licorice root, coffee bean and earthy spices. Muscular tannins on the palate are chalky, while the fruit feels satiny. The oak is in the foreground now but should integrate with time. Don't touch this anytime soon. Drink 2023–2035." - Christina Pickard (Jul 2020)