Curtis Ancestor McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021
- 95
- $180
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Under Diam, this is from a cracking vintage. A McLaren Shiraz which is powerful and powerfully flavoured, from older vines, which should drink well for at least a couple of decades. The wine spent two years maturing in a mix of French and American oak, some new. Black/maroon, we have notes of chocolate, mocha and gorgeous cassis notes, as well as licorice, florals and coffee grinds. Notes of cherry morph more to the sour cherry on the palate, which really works. The oak integration is proceeding well and the wine has impressive balance. A long, long finish here, with silky, and yet slightly chewy tannins. A really appealing and exciting red.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
