Curtis McLaren Vale Small Batch Tempranillo 2024
- 92
- $80
- Drink by: 2026-2033
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The fruit for this excellent and enjoyable Tempranillo came from 20-year-old vines in the McLaren Vale region. Maturation was in a mix of new and two-year-old French oak barrels. Vibrant crimson in colour, the nose reveals notes of warm earth, bay leaves, tomato bushes, strawberries and dried herbs. The flavours are very much upfront in this mid-length style, which finishes with satiny tannins. Quite seamless and with a supple texture, it is thoroughly enjoyable but does need a touch more length to go to the next level. Enjoy over the next four to seven 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.
