Curtis Martins Vineyard Shiraz 2021
- 95
- $150
- Drink by: 2025-2035
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This absolutely cracking McLaren Vale Shiraz saw maturation in new French oak barrels, sourced from the famous Troncais first in France. This is a star of the range for me. It is assisted in coming from such a superb vintage – a year that absolutely must be well represented in every serious cellar. A bruised plum hue, the wine opens with some toasty, vanillin oak notes, but they are well handled and add to the overall impression of a cracking red. There are aromas of chocolate, coffee beans, mulberries, dried herbs, plums and licorice. A wine exhibiting regional plushness, this is quintessential McLaren Vale Shiraz. Supple and seamless, balanced and with juicy acidity, there is serious length here, with a gentle fade and lingering finish. Ten years. Love it.
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.
