Shiraz    2022

Octavian

Octavian Shiraz Wine from Curtis Family Vineyards, Mclaren Vale
98 PointsVino Masters
97 PointsRay Jordan Wine Pilot

The Curtis Octavian Shiraz from McLaren Vale, represents wines built on precision, elegance, and the purest expression of McLaren Vale’s most exceptional sites. Drawn from low-yielding, old-vine vineyards rooted in mineral-rich ironstone and red-brown loams, Octavian showcases Shiraz in its most refined and architectural form.

Sale price$500.00
Or split into 4 interest-free payments of $125.00
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Package: 1 Bottle
AWARDS

2022

2022

Bright crimson with a deep, solid core. Savoury red fruit, liquorice, cinnamon, iodine, blackcurrant and mineral, then stringybark, gum leaf and forest litter. Espresso, dark chocolate and spicy oak underneath. Rich, concentrated, almost syrupy. Dense blackcurrant with a red-honey sweetness and a faint whisky warmth. Luscious, dark and full-flavoured, and it still has shape. Powerful tannin, fresh acid, mocha and cedar through the middle. The finish keeps unfolding. Blackcurrant, dark earth, chocolate and a spirited savoury kick. Nothing quite like it. Bush, iodine and red spirited honey. A McLaren Vale Shiraz with a finish that will not sit still.
Vino Masters Score: 98/100 ★★★★★

The fruit for this excellent wine is picked by hand and then processed through small batches. And then the real influence starts with 36 months ageing in French oak. Sure, the oak is evident, but clearly the fruit has taken it in with ease, so it certainly doesn't express as overtly oaky. In fact, there is a silky fine elegance about this, with its soft, plush middle palate, dense fruit and multilayered complexity. Dark chocolate, black fruits, cherry liqueur – it's all in there, but it's pulled together with refinement. Excellent wine.
Ray Jordan Wine Pilot Score: 97/100 ★★★★★

A deep maroon core with the fiery crimson edge, the nose gives us aromas of red apples, plums, chocolate, charcuterie, dried herbs, soy, cloves and aniseed. This is powerful, rich and muscular, and we see the emergence of black cherries on the palate. The wine is of medium to good length, well balanced and still exhibiting good energy. It finishes with sleek tannins and will drink beautifully over the next ten to fifteen years.
Ken Gargett Wine Pilot Score: 95/100 ★★★★★



2021

2021

97 points – Sam Kim Wine Orbit
96 points – Ray Jordan, The Wine Pilot
94 points – Ned Goodwin
94 points – Lisa Cardelli, The Wine Pilot
94 points – Bob Campbell, The Real Review

Before 2020

Before 2020

Gold Medal – AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge 2022 - 2020
98 points – Sam Kim Wine Orbit - 2020
95 points – Ken Gargett, The Wine Pilot - 2020

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

Brooding and architectural from the first glance, the Octavian opens with a dark, resonant perfume of blackberry compote, cassis, and black plum, seamlessly interwoven with violet, crushed graphite, star anise, and cocoa powder. A subtle thread of smoked cedar lends quiet sophistication, while a faint lift of blueberry and fresh licorice hints at the cool, even temperament of the vintage.

On the palate, the wine is sumptuous yet impeccably disciplined. A deep tide of blackberry, black cherry, and boysenberry rolls across the tongue, folding into layers of dark chocolate, espresso bean, and ironstone minerality.

The tannins are exceptionally fine — long, linear, and beautifully shaped — giving the wine both gravitas and grace. A quietly powerful acidity runs through the core, tightening the weave and holding every element in perfect tension.

The finish is long, resonant, and quietly commanding. Black plum skin, cocoa, sandalwood, and warm spice linger for nearly a minute, closing with the unmistakable McLaren Vale Shiraz imprint: a final, refined whisper of graphite that echoes long after the last sip.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the alcohol content of Octavian Shiraz?

    It typically sits around 14%–14.5% ABV, giving it a full-bodied presence while still maintaining balance and control.

  • Is Octavian Shiraz dry or sweet?

    It’s a dry wine, but the concentration of fruit creates a smooth, polished texture, rather than a sharp or aggressive finish.

  • Does Octavian Shiraz need decanting?

    Yes—decanting for 45–60 minutes helps soften the tannins and allows the wine to fully open up.

  • What is the ideal serving temperature for Octavian Shiraz?

    Serve at around 16–18°C. Slight cooling helps highlight its structure and freshness.

  • Is Octavian Shiraz suitable for collectors?

    Yes—its ageing potential, structure, and limited production make it highly appealing for collectors.

  • What should I look for when tasting this wine?

    Focus on the layering of flavours, fine tannins, and length of the finish, which indicate its premium quality.