Curtis Small Batch Durif 2021
- 93
- $80
- Drink by: 2022-2032
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Years ago, I was hosting wine education classes and a student insisted that the greatest grape on the planet was Durif (they went on to become a Federal politician so take that for what you will). Now, I like Durif as much as the next winelover (although apparently perhaps not quite as much as the next politician), but that did seem a smidge extreme. The grapes here were gently destemmed and then cold soaked for 14 days, before fermentation for a similar period. Pressing then followed, into a mix of new and 2-year-old American Oak barrels.
Inky dark magenta hue, the nose is all chocolate, dark berries, dry herbs, black cherries and leather. Big and bold, no hiding here. Ripe, with good length and balance, and a finish offering mouthpuckering tannins. Big and burly, this is a ten year plus proposition. This is an excellent example of what Durif can offer and would be ideal for a good steak or a quality barbecue. I’d go so far as to say it might even get the nod of approval from a politician.
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.
