Curtis Octavian McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021

The Octavian (sounds a bit like a Marvel movie villain) Shiraz from McLaren Vale is the flagship of the Curtis portfolio and, as one would expect from a cracking vintage like 2021, drinking superbly. The team select six new French oak barrels and use them for their best fruit. For me, it is early days for this terrific wine and while it is already a joy to drink, give it a few years and the wine will look even better, and score higher. Attractive packaging with a deep maroon hue and good concentration supported by chewy tannins with exceptional length. The nose offers notes of cassis, aniseed, raspberries and chocolate, and there are flavours of black cherries on the palate. The intensity is maintained for the full length and the silky tannins tie things together beautifully. Should drink very well for the next eight to twelve years.