Curtis Family Gladiator McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022
- 94
- $228
- Drink by: 2026-2041
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Definitely a wine Russell Crowe might enjoy. From 80-year-old vines, fermentation is with native yeasts over a period of three weeks. Maturation is for three years in a mix of new French and American oak hogsheads. Under Diam. A deep dark maroon hue, the style here is a touch savoury, with notes of mushrooms and warm soil. These are matched by aromas of chocolate, mocha, vanilla, cassis and quality oak. Soft and supple in texture, the wine is of medium length and finishes with fine tannins. There is good balance evident and perhaps most importantly, the wine is simply delicious. A touch more length might take it to the next level, but it is already cracking stuff. Enjoy it over the next fifteen years.
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.
