Curtis Gladiator Shiraz 2021
G 95
The fruit comes from 80-year-old vines, hand harvested and fermented over 28 days with wild yeasts. Matured in French and American oak for 36 months. There is plenty of density here for your dollars, with aromas of black cherry, rhubarb and dark plums. A grungy red gum bark that leads to more earthy things, some potting soil and black charcoal dust. The wine is decidedly dry on the palate with more of that immoveable black rock, some coffee grinds, and poppyseed. This feels born in the earth, those old vines telling a tale of decades buried deep underground. Tannins are gritty and placed in order for this wine to mature gracefully a further 10–15 years. This isn’t full of muscle and grit, as a gladiator might invoke; it is more a story of a vine that has endured and stands tall of its own merit and ability. A power move in your cellar, but if it’s on the table, do it justice with a bone-in shoulder roast.
Drink now–2040 Curtis Tiberius Shiraz 2021
G 95
The emperor of Curtis Winery, Tiberius comes from 60-year-old vines off their most treasured blocks. Here fruit quality is second to none with the halo of blackberries, cassis and pomegranate seeds leaping from the glass. Gathered scoops of rich brown soil, twigs of rosemary and freshly poured espresso. There is an added sparkle of raspberry on the palate with a slippery mouthfeel, that is lively as it is impressionable. Some Christmas cherries and black cardamom spice round out the full but elegant mouthfeel. There is plenty to discover over time here, so decant and settle in. A simple but very good quality Cheddar would highlight its personality nicely. Drink now or cellar for another 6–8 years. Drink now–2033 Curtis Martins Vineyards Shiraz 2021 G 95 A treasure of a vintage brings together the black, blue and red fruit coupled with some lilac florals. This is the kind of wine that you want to peer further into its depths with each sip. The richness of concentrated blackberries, hawthorn with a mulberry/berry savoury quality. The palate is restrained, allowing the fruit to complement the brooding spice of tonka bean, cocoa and nigella seed that lingers on the finish. For all its ripe fruit, acidity is undulating and keeps the wine medium- bodied with a ribbon of fine tannins intertwined. A beautiful wine that will continue to evolve in the cellar for another 5–6 years, but on opening tonight, I would go for some slow-roasted pork sliders. Drink now–2031
South Australia Wine Guide 2026 | McLaren Vale
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