Curtis Small Batch Grenache McLaren Vale 2022
- 93
- $80
- Drink by: 2023-2033
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The team dub this an ‘Early Release’, which seems to me to suggest it is an early and easy drinker. For me, it is much more than that. The fruit comes from 120-year-old bush vines, is destemmed and cold soaked for two weeks before a fourteen day fermentation and pressing into stainless steel. Deep crimson in colour, this is generously flavoured, with a slightly rustic note – the sort of thing some love while others find less convincing. Here, it works really well. An earthy and yet fresh style of Grenache. Dry herbs, strawberries, bay leaves, spices and coffee grinds. Lifts on the palate and we have the emergence of dark berries, red fruits and even a touch of a dusting of light mocha. So much is packed in here as well as really good length. Terrific now, but at will drink well for at least six to ten 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.
