Curtis The Gladiator Shiraz 2021

96 POINTS

Ray Jordan

The fruit source for this exceptional McLaren Vale is a plot of 80-year-old vines. After handpicking the fruit was cold soaked and fermented for 21 days on skins, and this is reflected in the excellent tannin balance. It was then given a whopping 36 months in French and American oak, and yet the balance is impeccable. Deep and concentrated plum, nutmeg and dark chocolate with a vanillin oak contribution to balance. It’s effortlessly structured and focussed with precision to a long finish

93 POINTS

Ned Goodwin MW

accepting that this wine is a behemoth and the style, old school, the qualitative pillars on which it is built are solid: densely concentrated old vine fruit, a confluence of ample French and American oak and little real grape tannin, following a reasonably short maceration. This is a wine that bludgeons rather than caresses, with explosive aromas of mulled fruits, Christmas cake,bourbon and clove. The intensity pummels the palate, while driving the flavours to impressive length and a bright future, especially should one have a predilection for the style.