The new faces behind the Curtis Family Vineyards are Mark, Thomas & Jenna Curtis, with the guidance of their father, Claudio Curtis who lives on the vineyard just outside McLaren Vale. The name Curtis is thought to derive from Curtius, a noble and wealthy family of the First and Second Centuries AD, the Roman Empire era originating from the Latinium people. 

Immensely complex and enticing, the wine shows dark fruit richness with smoked game, cake spice, mushroom and spicy oak characters on the nose. It's equally gratifying on the palate with outstanding concentration and weight, wonderfully enhanced by velvety mouthfeel and loads of polished tannins. Sumptuously appealing. Now to 2038; Price: $100.00; Rating: 96 Points; Sam Kim; Wine Orbit

Like sinking into an old leather armchair stained with bourbon, boysenberry, dark cherry and tobacco. An unabashedly old school, full-bodied wine, equipped with power, polish and the sort of prodigiously ripe fruit that saturates and stains the palate. Vanillin oak provides further sheen and a corset to the billowing warm flavours. An homage to the past, as much as a celebration of the present. Old school, but good school. Rating: 95 Points; Ned Goodwin MW