Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Thorn-Clarke “Shotfire” Shiraz 2020, Barossa Valley, Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A classic Barossa Valley Shiraz from Thorn-Clarke Wines. The Shotfire name pays tribute to a family ancestor who worked in the Barossa goldfields in the late 1800s as a “shotfirer”, the person responsible for handling explosives during mining operations. This cuvée reflects the rich, bold style Barossa is famous for while remaining notably approachable and polished.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark blackberry, ripe plum, and black cherry layered with sweet baking spices, cocoa, and hints of black pepper. Subtle notes of mocha and dark chocolate appear as the wine opens.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet remarkably smooth. Ripe, rounded tannins and a plush texture create an effortless drinking experience, with a soft and lingering finish typical of modern Barossa Shiraz.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, smoked brisket, lamb chops, barbecue ribs, or hearty mushroom dishes.

Verdict
A very approachable and well-balanced Barossa Shiraz that delivers generous fruit, spice, and texture without overwhelming the palate. Smooth, inviting, and simply delicious.

Did You Know?
The Barossa Valley is home to some of the oldest continuously producing Shiraz vines in the world, with many vineyards dating back to the 1800s thanks to Australia remaining free of phylloxera in many regions.

🍷 Personal Pick
A highly enjoyable Shiraz that overdelivers in drinkability and balance, an excellent example of Barossa’s rich style presented in a smooth, approachable way. — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Pale lemon yellow color with aromas of stone and citrus fruits, white blossom and bright mineral scents. On the palate wine has a lush texture with flavors of apple, pear, melon, citrus and vanilla notes, silky with a long finish ending with fruit, floral, spice and creamy mineral character. Very nice! Pair this with a swordfish topped with a dill sauce! — a year ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Still quite medium light lemon yellow , pretty youthful looking . Was pretty difficult to get the cork out and wasn’t going to risk sabrage on a bottle of Salon ! A few very fine but persistent bottles . Nicely yellow fruit driven nose , lemon peel, vanilla , acacia , orange blossom and pastry . On the palate quite rich and rounded , those citrus peel notes , mixed with oyster shell , and dried apricot , and baked pastry . Quite a lot of extract still and really quite fresh , long and well balanced finish . Perfect drinking now and over the next 10 years perhaps. This is the original release from a case purchased here in Brazil about 7 years ago, still going strong which is good to know . — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Tried another bottle. Pale lemon with aromas of fresh stone fruits, citrus and floral notes, aged in stainless with plenty of lees contact. On the palate flavors of pear, apple and lemon citrus with lively acidity and blossom notes. Medium finish ending with citrus and creamy mineral character. Drink now while it’s still fresh! — 5 years ago

eamon gallagher

8.9

Love me some AUS Barossa Shiraz — 5 years ago

Nathan Black

9.3

Pleasant cheer and dry finish — 6 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Château Suduiraut, 2023, Sauternes BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Premier Cru Classé Sauternes delivering pure botrytis luxury blend of 80% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Sauvignon Gris with remarkable tension and precision. Lush honeyed richness balanced by vibrant acidity and a beautifully layered texture that feels both decadent and weightless. Sensual, polished, and deeply expressive, this is a dessert wine that seduces rather than overwhelms.

Aromas & Flavors
Orange blossom, acacia honey, apricot confit, ripe peach, saffron, candied citrus peel, subtle vanilla bean, almond paste, and a whisper of ginger spice. Floral lift intertwines with botrytis-driven sweetness and fresh citrus brightness.

Mouthfeel
Silky, viscous, and coating without heaviness. Glycerol richness glides across the palate while acidity keeps the wine lifted, focused, and endlessly drinkable. Long, luxurious, and caressing finish.

Food Pairings
Foie gras torchon, blue cheese (Roquefort or Stilton), apricot tart, almond pastries, honey-drizzled chèvre, citrus-based desserts, or simply enjoyed solo as a contemplative finale.

Verdict
Sublime, sexy, and impeccably balanced. A masterclass in tension between sweetness and freshness, delivering pleasure, elegance, and emotional impact in equal measure. A benchmark nightcap wine.

Did You Know?
Château Suduiraut sits adjacent to Château d’Yquem and shares similar gravelly terroir and noble rot influence, often delivering First Growth-level finesse at a more approachable price point.

🍯 Personal Pick
This wine feels like a French kiss, seductive tension, velvet weight, and honeyed decadence wrapped in electric freshness. The viscosity caresses the palate while the acidity keeps everything irresistibly alive. — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Tried two of their more current releases, 21 Russian River & 21 Crown Gap and this 2017 Thorn Ridge from Magnum. Always consistent, solid Pinots from KB. Paired well with the Duck.

At Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2025.

The ticket to this event has a pretty big price tag. But when you consider what a Napa etc. tasting or two and lunch would cost you, you are pretty much there and there is so much more than that. It ends up having great value. It’s wine, spirits and food candy land.
— a year ago

romo

9.1

Quite a value from Barossa. Slightly tired but still kicking. — 2 years ago

Fabian Kühlhorn

9.0

What a good vintage this was for the rosato. Deep aromas of blossom, apple and cherries. Firm grip, good acidity, minerality. Sad this was my last bottle. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

A blend of blend of 60% Carricante, 25% Catarratto, 10% Grecanico and 5% Minnella, aged in French oak for 10 months . Pale lemon with aromas of stone and citrus fruits and honeysuckle blossom. On the palate flavors of apple, apricot and lemon citrus with creamy vanilla wrapped in generous acidity, long finish ending with wet stone minerality. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Just love this wine, BUT NOT ANYMORE, READ END! Belle Pente (bell-pont') means "beautiful slope" - for their 70 acre hillside vineyard & winery site in Willamette Valley. Bright Ruby with aromas of red fruits, herb spices & hints of blossom notes. On the palate strawberry & cherry flavors, slight sweet undertones, herb notes & smooth tannins. Well balanced on a long finish ending with mineral herb notes. Great value, but THEY LEAVE CORK EXPOSED, I WILL NO LONGER DRINK WINE WITH CONTAMINATED CORKS. PROTECT YOUR CORK, WAX COSTS PENNIES! — 5 years ago

Bradford H. Sanders

9.0

Fantastic - paired with Italian or on its own. Easy drinking, smooth. — 6 years ago

Kenneth

9.2

Dry high acidity elegant blossom hint of wet stone pale lemon green green apple pear lemon grapefruit med body smooth long finish — 7 months ago

David White

9.3

Nice bold Barossa Shiraz, not cheap at about $US 100, and has been tucked away for some years. Quite dark showing dark and red fruits on nose and palate and a bold fruit forward Oz Shiraz
Excellent wine — 7 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

Blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc with 5% Semillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris, aged 50% new oak. Medium lemon color with aromas of stone and tropical fruits, citrus and blossom with spicy notes. On the palate flavors of peach, pear and pineapple with slight citrus and honeysuckle adding pepper spice. Long finish, balanced acidity, ending with a fruit, oak and chalky mineral spice character. Very good! Will age well! — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Charles "Champagne Charlie" Heidsieck was one of the first to recognize the importance of the U.S. as a Champagne market. A blend with 40% reserve wines, fruit and floral bouquet, with orange blossom & yeasty notes. Fine bubbles, nice mousse, showing quality. Outstanding rich flavors of apple, pear and biscuit, well balanced, good structure, creamy. Long finish ending with toasty nutty oak & mineral notes. — 2 years ago

Katie Forman

10

We had this at Ruth Chris in  Embassy suites in Chattanooga. Spring break with the boys. Very mellow. Easy sip! — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

This is second vintage to come exclusively from the Martinelli Charles Ranch, two miles in from the Pacific, aged for 12 months in 25% new oak. Pale lemon with aromas of ripe stone fruits with wafts of blossom and spice. On the palate rich ripe apple and pear with a touch of zesty citrus fruits, crisp, with big vanilla notes. Nice mouthfeel, vivid acidity, medium+ finish ending with fruit, vanilla and citrus mineral character. Nice! Tried twice. — 5 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.6

Like standing in an apricot orchard during harvest. Pure ripe apricot, pear blossom, cotton candy, bitter almond, peach liquer. Satiny texture floats over the tongue and mouth. So bright. Serious acid makes this weightless and beautiful. — 6 years ago