Thorn Clarke William Randell Shiraz 2021

Winery Background & History
Thorn-Clarke is a family-owned South Australian winery whose viticultural history stretches back six generations. The modern winery began when David and Cheryl Clarke established their first Barossa vineyard in 1987, eventually producing their own wines from the 1998 vintage. The William Randell range honours family ancestor Captain William Richard Randell (1824–1911), an important Australian pioneer associated with early paddle-steamer navigation on the Murray River. This is one of Thorn-Clarke’s premium ranges, produced only in exceptional vintages and exclusively from estate-grown fruit.

Producer & Wine Maker
Produced by Thorn-Clarke Wines in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. The William Randell range sits above the winery's everyday and mid-tier collections and represents a strict selection of estate-grown fruit and individual barrels. The 2021 vintage is particularly notable for its combination of concentration, freshness and ageing potential.

Vineyards & Micro Climate
The grapes are sourced entirely from Thorn-Clarke's estate vineyards in the Barossa. The region's warm Mediterranean-influenced climate provides the heat and sunshine necessary for Shiraz to achieve full physiological ripeness, producing concentrated blackberry, plum and spice characteristics. Vineyard selection and varying elevations help preserve freshness and acidity despite the richness of the fruit. The excellent 2021 growing season delivered particularly balanced Shiraz with both intensity and definition.

The Wine
William Randell Shiraz is a powerful, premium expression of Barossa Shiraz. The 2021 combines concentrated dark fruit with substantial American-oak maturation, savoury complexity and structured tannins. Rather than simply emphasizing ripeness, it maintains freshness and energy beneath its considerable weight. Only the strongest individual barrels are selected for the final blend, making this significantly more serious and cellar-worthy than Thorn-Clarke's Milton Park or Sandpiper ranges.

Vintage
2021

ABV
14.5%

Vinification & Aging Method
After harvest, the grapes were crushed into small 4–6 tonne fermenters. Fermentation took place at approximately 25–28°C, with manual pump-overs used to carefully manage tannin extraction. Each fermenter was treated as an individual parcel. Following fermentation, the wines were transferred to American oak barrels, approximately 40% new oak, where malolactic fermentation took place. The individual parcels remained in barrel for an average of 18 months. Only the best barrels were selected before final blending and bottling.

Grape Varietals
100% Shiraz

Tasting Notes
Deep red with intense inky-purple hues. The nose is powerful and concentrated, showing blackberry, ripe plum, liquorice, cassis, dark chocolate, spice and smoky oak. The palate is full-bodied and densely packed with ripe mulberry, blackberry and berry-compote flavours, supported by generous oak and savoury complexity. Chocolate, mocha, black pepper and subtle tobacco characteristics emerge with air. The tannins are substantial yet refined, leading into a long, spicy and persistent finish.

Food & Wine Pairing
Ideal with roast beef, grilled ribeye, lamb cutlets, roast lamb, beef short ribs, barbecue meats, venison and mature hard cheeses. Its concentration and tannin structure make it better suited to substantial dishes than delicate food. A grilled ribeye or roast lamb shoulder would be particularly strong pairings.

Service Methods
Serve at approximately 16–18°C in a large Bordeaux or Syrah glass. Because the 2021 remains relatively youthful and concentrated, decanting for approximately 60–90 minutes before serving is recommended. Avoid serving it at warm room temperature, as excessive warmth will make the 14.5% alcohol more noticeable.

Storage & Ageing Potential
Thorn-Clarke officially indicates 10+ years of cellaring potential. Given the quality of the 2021 vintage, concentration of fruit, tannin structure and 18-month oak maturation, well-stored bottles should continue developing comfortably into the mid-to-late 2030s. Expect the youthful blackberry and plum character to gradually evolve toward leather, tobacco, mocha, dried fruit and savoury spice.

Gold Medal — Mundus Vini 2025
Gold Medal — Korea Wine Challenge 2025
Silver Medal / 90 Points — Great Australian Shiraz Challenge
Silver Medal — Global Syrah Masters 2025