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WelcomeIt has been a great year for Thorn-Clarke, enjoying some fantastic growth and international success. We have received excellent results in many wine shows, both domestic and international and have been given some of our best scores from wine critics. Trophies in Hobart, Gold medals in Germany, two Blue Golds and a Top 100 in Sydney, and plenty of Silvers in Adelaide and the Barossa wine shows. A Five Star Winery accolade by James Halliday and more 90+ scores from Robert Parker than we know what to do with. All of this on top of winning the Adelaide Wine Show last year, it really is a credit to the Winemaking and Vineyard teams.

A lot has happened since we last released a newsletter and we intend on making amends by printing on a quarterly basis. Please also be aware that our website www.thornclarkewines.com has been updated with the most recent news and will continue to be updated regularly.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year.

E s t a t e G r o w n • F a m i l y O w n e d

Frui t s e t News l e t t e r - December 06

Come and visit our cellar door for new release tastings. Open Monday - Fr iday 10am-4pm

Star Winery James Halliday recently awarded us a fi ve star winery rating in his 2007 Australian Wine Companion. This is the highest rating given and is recognition for being an outstanding winery. We also had our 2004 Sandpiper ‘The Blend’ rated in the top 10 best value reds in the $10-$15 price bracket. Unfortunately we have now sold out of this vintage but the recently released 2005 ‘The Blend’ looks great.

Christmas Offer #1This Christmas we will be giving away a waiter’s friend with every dozen wines purchased direct from the winery. These premium quality waiter’s friends are the most comfortable we have seen and will not last, so put in your Christmas orders now. See our online ordering system atwww.thornclarkewines.com.

Christmas Offer #2Limited quantity of the export labelled 2004 Shotfi re Quartage available. Following intense negotiations with our USA distributor we have managed to retain from shipping a small quantity of the 2005 Adelaide Wine Show winner! This wine is exactly the same as the 2004 Shotfi re Quartage appearing in the exact same bottle but has been labelled as the 2004 Shotfi re Cuvee. Cuvee meaning ‘blended wine’ in most countries. We recommend doing a comparitive tasting with the recently released 2005 vintage.

Barrel Of LaughsThis Easter, Thorn-Clarke will once again be participating in the Vintage Festival. ‘Barrels of Laughs’ will be held daily from 12-5:30pm from Saturday the 7th of April through to Monday the 9th inclusive on the Cellar door lawns. We will be offering samples of the 2006 Shotfi re Shirazstraight from the barrel accompanied with fresh, locally made, gourmet baguettes. All are welcome to attend. Please RSVP to James on 8564 3034 or email [email protected].

Shotfi re Quartage 2005

After the 2004 release won ‘Wine of the Show’ at the prestigious Adelaide Wine Show last year, the 2005 has gone out and won ‘Wine of the Show’ at the 2006 Royal Hobart Wine Show. Naturally we were all very excited upon hearing this result. The style of this traditional Bordeaux blend is obviously to the liking of the judges and judging by the sales, to the liking of wine lovers as well.

Sam Clarke and Family.

In the Vineyard with the 2007 Vintage2006/2007 has been declared a drought season, although rainfall was tracking above last season’s rainfall from February to April. While from May to September rainfall had been signifi cantly lower and October saw little to no rain across most sites with less than 3mm recorded.

So far the season is running roughly two to three weeks earlier than usual and if the weather continues we could see harvest as early as late February on the warmer sites.

With fl owering well underway some varieties such as our Merlot, Nebbiolo and some of our warmer sites of Shiraz are approaching fruit set. The absence of rain in October has provided some near perfect conditions for fl owering with up to 80% fruit set thus far.

Irrigations commenced in mid September across all sites with the intention of raising the soil moisture on all blocks at St Kitts, Kabininge and at Milton Park, those blocks sited on higher ground. Intensive irrigations where maintained on these sites until adequate soil moisture was achieved, all the while bearing in mind our seasonal irrigation water allocation.

We have a long way to go with December and January historically proving to be the hottest period of the growing season. On a quality note though, we should see some exceptional fruit this season albeit some blocks will show lower than average cropping levels.

Derek and Sam inspecting the earthworks for the new 2000 barrel capacity shed due to be completed in January 2007. The barrel shed will be 1.5 metres below the height of the rest of the winery enabling the barrels to be fi lled by gravity,

rather than pumped.

(Right) The vineyard guys busy planting Viognier , with Sam Clarke checking their

progress.

If you have any quer ies regarding our wines please log on to our website www.thornc larkewines.com

- Food And Wine Matching Online

Derek Fitzgerald is not only the highly awarded Thorn-Clarke Winemaker but also a maestro food connoisseur. With the release of the 2004 Morello Nebbiolo, Derek thought it appropriate to share a recipe with which to partner this Italian beauty. His choice...Basil, parmesan and pine nut pesto served with fresh gnocchi. For full recipe details please log on to www.thornclarkewines.com.au

Wine Industry ClimateWhile the wine industry is experiencing arguably its toughest period there are a number of wineries that are showing strong growth. Those that have seen tough times before have been able to steady themselves and penetrate new markets. Many of these successes are being seen with the smaller, more boutique wineries that are not compromising quality, but are producing better wines than ever. Strategic planning and effective decision making along the way are becoming more and more vital, not only in being successful, but in survival. We are very pleased to be among this select few and owe a lot to our family heritage and the risks and uncertainties they overcame to create our exciting future.

(Below) Derek Fitzgerald with trophies received from the

Royal Hobart Wine Show.

News From The Net

- Online Ordering System

We have moved into the 21st Century with a brand new online ordering system located on our website – www.thornclarkewines.com. This system is a very slick and secure way of getting your hands on our wines. If you are still unsure about using this facility, please still feel free to fax through an order or phone us directly on (08) 8564 3034.

Sandpiper - New Clothes And Vintages The Sandpiper and Terra Barossa ranges have undergone a label and bottle change for the new releases (2006 whites and 2005 reds). We have decided that the time had come to clean up the label and give it a fresh new look. The wines are tasting better than ever before and we decided they deserved the reward.

Our winemaker comments on the new releases – What can I say, we had a great season for the 2006 whites. Mild days with the typical cool nights in the high Eden, has resulted in Whites with lovely varietal fl avours and clean, crisp acidity. The 2006 Sandpiper Pinot Gris is the best we’ve made (so far!) and the Riesling is right at the top. The recently bottled 2005 Reds are looking fantastic. 2005 was a short, action packed harvest with all fruit being picked within a 3 ½ week period, the guys in the vineyard certainly worked up a sweat. The Reds are looking spot on with great fl avour intensity and concentration. Approachable from a young age, but patience will be rewarded. The Shotfi res are once again looking superb, with the Sandpiper range looking there best since the great 2002 Vintage.

Grandpa Billie Randell returnsWay back in 1853, when the Barossa Valley’s oldest surviving Shiraz vineyards were producing their fi rst fruit, our family ancestor was forging an historic milestone of a different nature. Grandpa Billie Randell, as he is now affectionately known in the USA or Big Willie in the UK, in true pioneering spirit, designed, lovingly crafted and sailed Australia’s fi rst inland waterway paddle steamer along the mighty Murray River.

With the recent release of the 2004 William Randell Shiraz we felt it apt to share a little family history.

‘William Richard Randell’ from where our fl agship Shiraz takes its name is the Great, Great, Great Grandfather of Thorn-Clarke Wines Managing Director, Sam Clarke. The Family Tree Line : William Richard Randell – William Beavis Randell – Helen (Randell) Thorn – William Ronald Thorn – Cheryl (Thorn) Clarke – Samuel David Clarke.

Fresh New FaceFollowing Kate Neldner’s departure there Were some rather large shoes to fi ll. Thank heavens for Jarrod Thorn, son of David Thorn, our vineyard supervisor and the nephew of David Clarke and Cheryl Thorn. Jarrod joins us following a long run with Accounting companies Price Waterhouse, Coopers and BDO. Jarrod’s interest in wine grew from following his fatheraround the Kabininge vineyard where he grew up.

Some of our SE Asian customers enjoying a day out in the vinyards.

Come and visit our cellar door for new release tastings. Open Monday - Fr iday 10am-4pm

Jarrod Thorn and his partner Toni, with there new baby boy Connor Thorn.

A Historic New BeautyThis year brought about the release of the straight varietal 2004 Morello Nebbiolo. For those new to this variety it is one of the world’s classics. Traditionally grown in Barolo and Barbaresco in Italy, it has only recently been planted here in Australia. We decided to plant this variety following consultation with an Italian winemaker who comparedour St Kitts vineyard to the traditional North Italian microclimate in the Piedmont region.

Wines made from this variety have great cellaring potential, but as with all our wines is enjoyable upon immediate consumption. On the palate expect to see rose petal and cherry with savoury fruit and great structure. Winemaker, Derek Fitzgerald recommends drinking this beauty accompanied with foods. His personal favourite, Mersey Valley Cheddar.

Peter Wild, our vineyard manager, cooking up a storm for our American visitors.

2006 Sandpiper Riesling

Sourced entirely from our cool climate, single vineyard site in the Eden Valley, this zesty, citrus wine is a beauty on a warm summer evening. Grapes are hand picked and treated delicately in order to create a wine true to the vineyard site.

Cellar Door / Direct Price $70.00 / 6 pack

2006 Sandpiper Chardonnay

Lightly oaked, with a refreshing fruit drive, this wine undergoes extended yeast maturation as with the sparkling. With dominant nuances of white peach and tropical fruits and a nutty length this wine can be enjoyed now or cellared for up to fi ve years.


2006 Sandpiper Pinot Gris

This style is becoming ever more popular as people discover the fresh but round nature of the fruit. Served with shellfi sh and naturally oily fi sh, or as a quaffer with snacks during the day, this wine will please even the pickiest of wine lovers.


2005 Sandpiper The Blend

Predominantly Shiraz (45%) with Petit Verdot (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (17%) and Cabernet Franc (5%), this wine exhibits Christmas pudding characters on the nose with a spicy lift courtesy of the Petit Verdot. A full fl avoured palate with cherry, plums and hints of liquorice/aniseed. Tannins are soft and silky complementing the dark chocolate oak and creamy mouthfeel. The plummy fruit and oak combine to give some great richness and length.


2005 Sandpiper Shiraz

Showcasing the heritage of the Barossa, our Shiraz shows exceptional value for money. Ripe blackberry and plums with a hint of vanillan oak on the nose, these complexities carry through to the palate showcasing raspberries and dark chocolate, vanillan oak tannins.


Thorn-Clarke NV Sparkling Pinot noir Chardonnay

This crisp, refreshing style sparkling has undergone extended yeast maturation, resulting in a savoury backbone to a strawberry, kiwi fruit and guava palate. Drink to celebrate a special occasion or as an aperitif at the end of the day.


2005 Sandpiper Cabernet Sauvignon

12 months on tight grain French oak has led to a liquorice and dark chocolate with a blackberry nose. The palate exhibits capsicum on the front leading to blackberries and Satsuma plums with rich mocha and Indian spices. Rich and rounded mouth feel fi nishes long. A real winner with rosemary lamb and medium rare steak.


Purchase our wines at direct prices - www.thornclarkewines.com - (08) 8564 3034 - or in person at cellar door.

sandpiper wines

2006 Sorriso Rose

Our Rose is back following a break in the 2005 vintage. This wine exhibits tropical fruit characters both on the nose and palate before lengthening out to a more traditional rose fi nish. Blindfolded you could be led to believe that this Cabernet Nebbiolo blend is in fact a Sauvignon Blanc. This wine will partner a vast array of occasions, think a cricket bat at the beach or an alfresco picnic in the local park.


2004 Morello Nebbiolo

Our version of this great varietal comes from the St Kitts vineyards, a warm climate region of the Barossa, which mimics the traditional North Italian microclimate. On the palate expect to see rose petal and cherry with savoury fruit and great structure. A food friendly drop which we are yet to hear negative feedback on.


2005 Shotfi re QuartageOff the back of the 2005 Adelaide Wine Show results, our winemaker had a lot to live up to with the 2005 Quartage, but we believe he has produced a better wine. Comprising of the same Bordeaux varieties as the 2004 and receiving the same oak care, we have created another well balanced Quartage which is very approachable at a young age, but will reward the patient taster. Expect to pickup on blackcurrant, plum and Christmas pudding notes. We have just been awarded trophies for Best Blended Red and Best Wine at Show in the 2006 Hobart Wine Show.


william randell2004 William Randell ShirazThe colour is a deep inky purple. The nose is complex with a deep concentration of black fruits, liquorice and spicy chocolate oak. The palate is full bodied with typically intense Barossa Shiraz fruit. The fruit characters are blackberry and plum, with well balanced oak. Additionally the palate is dense and generous, making it wonderfully mouthfi lling with some lovely grainy tannins, it suggests the wine will improve for the next 10 to 15 years. This wine has fantastic length of fruit and oak fl avours.Cellaring: 10-20 years.


shotfire wines2005 Shotfi re Chardonnay

Another new player in our portfolio. Produced for the US and Dutch markets this wine is an example of what has put Australian Chardonnay’s on the world map. Plenty of peach, cream and new French oak, partnered with a long nutty fi nish, leaves the palate craving another mouthful. A real contrasting style to the Sandpiper Chardonnay.


2005 Shotfi re Shiraz2003 #18 Wine in the World, 2004 3 domestic wine show trophies, 2005 eagerly awaiting wine shows and reviews! The lifted nose has plums and sweet spice – cardoman and cinnamon, with choc mint oak characters. The palate is full bodied but refi ned with some expressive berry fruit, plums, liquorice and complex spicy oak. There is a great depth of fruit which will ensure the longevity of the wine and also gives it wonderful mouthfi lling sensation. The tannins are velvety and combined with the rich fruit and spicy oak gives the wine great length of fl avour.


Purchase our wines at direct prices - www.thornclarkewines.com - (08) 8564 3034 - or in person at cellar door.

Winery James Halliday - Australian Wine Companion 2007

Awards Update

If you would like to be added to our mailing list please email your details to thornc larke@thornc larke.com.au

william randell shotfire

sandpiper /terra barossa

Shiraz 2004 Royal Queensland Wine Show 2006 BronzeRobert Parker 2006 92+ PointsSydney International Wine Show 2006 Blue Gold/Top 100Mundus Vini - Germany 2006 GoldBrisbane Wine Show 2006 SilverBarossa Wine Show 2006 SilverStephen Tanzar (USA) 2006 92 Points

Shiraz 2005 Royal Queensland Wine Show 2006 BronzeSydney International Wine Show 2006 Blue Gold/Top 100Robert Parker 2006 92 PointsStephen Tanzar (USA) 2006 92 PointsNational Wine Show 2006 GoldHobart Wine Show 2006 Silver

2004 Royal Queensland Wine Show 2006 Gold & 2 TrophiesSydney International 2006 Top 100 Blue GoldSydney Wine Show 2006 Gold & TrophyRobert Parker 2005 92 PointsWine Spectator 2006 91 PointsHobart Wine Show 2005 SilverMediterranean International 2006 - Israel GoldMundus Vini Germany 2006 Gold

2003 Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2005 Blue GoldSydney International 2005 Top 100 Blue GoldThe Wine Spectator 2005 93 PointsThe Wine Spectator 2005 # 2 Best Value Australian RedsThe Wine Spectator 2005 # 18 Best World WinesRoyal Brisbane Wine Show 2005 Silver

Quartage/Cuvee 2005 Royal Hobart Wine Show 2006 2 TrophiesRoyal Perth Wine Show 2006 SilverRoyal Adelaide Wine Show 2006 SilverBarossa Wine Show 2006 SilverNational Wine Show 2006 Silver

2004 Barossa Wine Show 2005 Gold & TrophyBarossa Wine Show 2005 Most Outstanding Red Wine BlendAdelaide Wine Show 2005 Gold & 3 TrophiesAdelaide Wine Show 2005 Most Outstanding WineAdelaide Wine Show 2005 Most Outstanding Red WineAdelaide Wine Show 2005 Most Outstanding Red Wine BlendAustralian National Show 2005 Gold & Top of ClassRobert Parker 2005 Best BuySydney Wine Show 2006 GoldHobart Wine Show 2006 GoldRoyal Queensland Wine Show 2006 Bronze

2003 Hobart Wine Show 2005 GoldRobert Parker 2005 90 PointsMundus Vini Germany 2005 Gold

Shiraz 2005 Royal Queensland Wine Show 2006 BronzeHobart Wine Show 2006 Bronze

2004 Sydney Wine Show 2006 SilverRobert Parker 2005 89 PointsRoyal Queensland Wine Show 2006 Bronze

2003 International Wine & Spirit Competition 2005 Best in Class, Silver MedalCuisine Magazine (NZ) 2005 5 Star, Top 100 Under $20 Imported RedsRobert Parker 2004 Best Buy

Cabernet 2005 National Wine Show 2006 Silver2004 Winestate Magazine 2006 4 1/2 Star

Royal Queensland Wine Show 2006 SilverHobart Wine Show 2005 SilverBarossa Wine Show 2005 SilverRobert Parker 2005 Best Buy

2003 Winestate Magazine 2004 4 StarMerlot 2004 James Halliday 2006 93 Points

National Wine Show 2006 SilverHobart Wine Show 2005 Gold & TrophyAustralian National Show 2005 SilverRoyal Melbourne Wine Show 2005 SilverBarossa Wine Show 2005 Silver

The Blend/Cuvee 2004 Mundus Vini Germany 2006 Gold James Halliday July 2006 93 PointsHobart Wine Show 2005 BronzeAdelaide Wine Show 2005 BronzeBarossa Wine Show 2005 Bronze

Pinot Gris 2006 National Wine Show 2006 Bronze2005 Sydney Wine Show 2006 Bronze

Decanter Best New Releases 2006 Four Stars2004 Ottawa Wine Show 2005 Gold

International Wine Challenge London 2005 SilverRiesling 2006 Hyatt National Riesling Challenge 2006 Bronze

Hobart Wine Show 2006 Bronze2005 Hobart Wine Show 2005 Bronze

Hyatt Riesling Challenge 2005 BronzeSydney Wine Show 2005 Bronze

2004 Robert Parker 2005 Best BuyAdelaide Advertiser 2004 94 Points

estate grown † family owned the press...us following a long run with accounting companies price...

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