Curtis Small Batch McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021
- 94
- $80
- Drink by: 2023-2033
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The fruit for this wine comes from 80-year-old vineyards which are a combination of those owned by the family and others from respected growers in McLaren Vale. Magenta/maroon in colour, the nose is redolent of black cherries, chocolate, mulberries, plums, cloves, dry herbs and bay leaves. Richly flavoured and appealingly approachable, there is a seamless and seductive palate here, over which the intensity never waivers backed by excellent length, fine acidity and sleek tannins. This has at least a decade ahead of it, during which period it will surely improve even more. Impressive.
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.
