Shiraz    2022

Ancestor

Ancestor Shiraz wine from Curtis Family Vineyards, Mclaren Vale

The Curtis Ancestor Shiraz Wine honours the family’s long-standing winemaking lineage — a celebration of tradition, generosity, and the deep connection to McLaren Vale’s ancient soils. Crafted from 100 year old vines planted in an ancient river bed , Ancestor reflects the region’s heart and history in every glass.

Sale price$180.00

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Package: 1 Bottle
AWARDS

2022

2022

There is a good dose of savoury and umami elements - soy sauce and dried mushrooms, bresaola - intertwined with ironstone and red earth, before opening up to more generous oak spices of tobacco, polished leather and cedar. The fruit profile of macerated plums and blackberries tend to sing more on the palate, framing an incisive bitterness, fine-grained tannins, then a cola-like sweetness shifting the mid-palate, before a rather fine close, encapsulating a style built on old traditions and intended to age further.
Lisa Cardelli Wine Pilot Score: 95/100 ★★★★★

Trophy - Best Shiraz (Syrah) – AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge
Gold Medal– AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge
17.5 points – Jancis Robinson
96 points – Sam Kim Wine Orbit
95 points – Russ Gallagher, Vinomasters
94 points – Tony Love, The Wine Pilot
94 points – Ken Gargett, The Wine Pilot
94 points – Campbell Mattinson
93 points – Ned Goodwin MW
93 points – Ray Jordan, The Wine Pilot

2021

2021

Best National Producer Of The Year – AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge 2024

Trophy - Best Shiraz (Syrah) – AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge 2024

Gold Medal – AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge 2024
Gold Medal – Melbourne International Wine Competition
Gold Medal – International Sommeliers Choice Awards
97 points – Sam Kim Wine Orbit
96 points – Ken Gargett, The Wine Pilot
96 points – Ray Jordan, The Wine Pilot
95 points – Russell Gallagher, Vino Masters
95 points – Mike Bennie, Australian Wine Business Magazine
95 points – Campbell Mattinson
95 points – Bob Campbell, The Real Review
95 points – Australian Wine Showcase
94 points – Melbourne International Wine Competition
93 points – Asia International Wine Competition
93 points – Cyndal Petty, Wine Pilot
93 points – Ned Goodwin
93 points – Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
93 points – Aaron Brasher, The Real Review

Before 2021

Before 2021

97 points – Sam Kim Wine Orbit (Vintage 2018)
95 points – Stuart Knox, The Real Review (Vintage 2018)
94 points – Bob Campbell, The Real Review (Vintage 2018)
Gold Medal – London Wine Competition
Gold Medal – AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge
95 points – John Clark, The Wine Panel
94 points – Ray Jordan, The Wine Pilot
94 points – Andy Lloyd, The Wine Panel
94 points – London Wine Competition
94 points – Ken Gargett, The Wine Pilot
93 points – Stuart Knox, The Real Review

WINEMAKING

Curtis Family Vineyards sources fruit from a combination of owned vineyards and premium McLaren Vale growers. 

The blend of individual vineyards and sub-regional characteristics is the key to the resulting style.

Handpicked in the cool of early morning and slowly destemmed and roller table sorted to maintain whole berries, retained for aromatic lift. 

Berries and juice are then chilled down to allow for cold soaking to encourage early colour stabilisation and gentle phenolic release.

Fermented in small open fermenters with daily air purging and rummaging delicately, allowing gentle pump-overs as the cap softened. Peak fermentation temperatures are held at 18–20°C to preserve dark fruit aromatics while allowing full extraction.

The wine completed malolactic fermentation in barrel and matured for 36 months in a selection of fine-grained French oak hogsheads, 100% new. 

This patient aging process allows the wine to develop remarkable complexity while softening its structure and integrating subtle oak characteristics with the fruit's natural expression.

The extended barrel aging bestows the wine with sophisticated layers of flavour and a refined texture that complements the varietal's inherent silkiness. 

This careful maturation transforms excellent fruit into an exceptional wine, creating depth and nuance that only time can provide.

Aging potential 10 - 40 years

TASTING NOTE

The Ancestor Shiraz draws you in with an alluring, velvety perfume — a deep weave of blackberry, ripe plum, and mulberry enriched by violet, cocoa, and warm cedar spice. Hints of blueberry, graphite, and dark earth rise slowly from the glass, giving the wine a sense of quiet depth and heritage.

On the palate, Ancestor is both opulent and impeccably composed. Waves of dark plum, blackberry, and boysenberry unfold with graceful richness, settling into a supple mid-palate touched by dark chocolate, clove, anise, and roasted coffee bean. The tannins are beautifully polished — fine, velvety, and perfectly measured — lending structure without intruding on the wine’s effortless flow. A poised thread of natural acidity keeps the richness bright, lifting every layer and drawing the palate forward.

The finish is long, warm, and deeply resonant. Notes of spiced plum, cocoa, black pepper, and ironstone linger with elegant persistence, leaving a final whisper of savoury spice and dark fruit that echoes long after the last sip.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the alcohol content of Ancestor Shiraz?

    It typically sits around 14%–14.5% ABV, giving it a full-bodied and concentrated style without feeling unbalanced.

  • Is Ancestor Shiraz dry or slightly sweet?

    It is a dry wine, but the intensity of fruit gives a rounded, plush mouthfeel, making it feel smooth rather than sharp.

  • How do 100-year-old vines influence the quality of this wine?

    Old vines produce lower yields with more concentrated fruit, resulting in greater depth, complexity, and character in the final wine.

  • Does this wine need decanting before serving?

    Yes—decanting for 30–60 minutes helps soften tannins and enhances its layered aromas and flavours.

  • Can I drink this wine now or should I cellar it?

    It can be enjoyed now with decanting, but it also has the structure to age gracefully, developing more complexity over time.

  • What is the ideal serving temperature for this wine?

    Serve at around 16–18°C. Slight cooling can help highlight its structure and balance.

  • Is Ancestor Shiraz suitable for collectors?

    Yes—its heritage, old-vine sourcing, and ageing potential make it appealing for collectors.

  • What should I look for when tasting this wine?

    Focus on the layered fruit, spice complexity, tannin structure, and length of finish, which reflect its quality.