Curtis McLaren Vale Small Batch Pinot Noir 2023
- 90
- $80
- Drink by: 2026-2029
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From 40-year-old vines, fermentation was over two weeks, before maturation in a mix of new and two-year-old French oak barrels. Dark crimson in colour with a lighter rim, the nose reveals toasty, earthy notes with hints of leaf litter, cranberries, red fruits, a flick of oak and touches of sour cherries emerging on the finish. There is some savouriness running throughout this wine, which is of medium length, finishing with soft tannins. For enjoying over the next two to three 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.
