Curtis Ancestor McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022
- 94
- $180
- Drink by: 2026-2046
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Under Diam, this is impressive stuff. Maturation was for three years in fine grained French oak hogsheads, all of which were new. McLaren Vale Shiraz from the excellent 2022 vintage, the colour is dark red/magenta. There is vanillin oak still evident here with integration proceeding. The nose gives us notes of plums, florals, cigar boxes, licorice, black fruits, spices and bay leaves. Good intensity throughout, the wine is well balanced, finishing with satiny tannins. A silky, almost velvety texture throughout and a very long finish, this could be enjoyed anytime over the next fifteen to twenty years, longer if needed. It has improvement in its future.
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.
