Shiraz    2024

Enigma

Enigma Shiraz

Deep and refined, Curtis Enigma is a powerful McLaren Vale Shiraz built from 40-year-old vines and matured 24 months in French and American oak. Concentrated dark fruit, silky tannins, and remarkable length; a wine that rewards patience.

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Package: 1 Bottle
AWARDS

2024

2024

Bold and opulent, the wine is packed with blackberry, cedar, dark chocolate, and warm spice characters. It's splendidly concentrated and deeply flavoured with a velvety mouthfeel and chalky tannins, making it superbly structured and harmonious with an impressively long, sturdy finish.
Sam Kim Wine Orbit Score: 95/100 ★★★★★

Vin brûlé kind of vibes from the get-go, with a warm, fuzzy feeling of orange peel and star anise, cloves and cinnamon stick. Then it's all dark, with prunes and dark chocolate, caramel mocha, blackberry and blackcurrant pie.On the palate it's big and voluptuous, the broody tannins expand sideways across the length of the palate, and they're there to stay. The spices are felt even more, only briefly interrupted by a velvety, somewhat refreshing sensation where acidity and texture meet.
Lisa Cardelli Wine Pilot Score: 92/100 ★★★★★

This is a super-charged McLaren Vale shiraz. It’s bold with flavour, firm through the finish, well extended and just generally rich. It tastes of blackberry jam and saltbush, asphalt and rust, with dried herb and licorice notes coming forward as it breathes. There’s a warmth to the palate here but plenty of flavour to go with it.
Campbell Mattinson Score: 92/100 ★★★★★

95 points – Winepilot (Ken Gargett), 2026.
94 points – Ned Goodwin, 2026.
93 points – AWB Magazine (Mike Bennie), 2026.

2023

2023

2024 was the first vintage for this wine

Before 2023

Before 2023

2024 was the first vintage for this wine

WINEMAKING

Produced from 40 year old vines planted in sandy loam over clay soil. McLaren Vale's Mediterranean climate, with warm days moderated by afternoon gulf breezes, allows slow, even ripening, preserving natural acidity alongside deep varietal fruit. Machine harvested in late March 2024 at 14 Baumé, picked for optimal phenolic ripeness. Destemmed and cold soaked for 3 days before fermentation in static fermenters over 14 days, with aerated pump-overs for gentle tannin extraction. Gently pressed to barrel after completion of malolactic fermentation, then matured 24 months in seasoned French and American oak, building layers of dark chocolate, vanilla and sweet spice while retaining primary black fruit.

TASTING NOTE

Deep blood red. The nose offers black cherry, cassis and dark chocolate lifted by baking spice, vanilla and a savoury, beef-stock complexity. The palate is powerful yet refined — concentrated dark fruit carried by fresh natural acidity, immaculate balance and remarkable length, finishing with fine, silky tannins. Drink 2026–2046.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is Curtis Enigma a full-bodied wine or more restrained in style?

    Enigma is powerful and full-bodied, built from 40-year-old McLaren Vale vines and matured 24 months in French and American oak, yet it stays refined and balanced rather than heavy, with fresh natural acidity carrying the concentrated fruit.

  • What flavour profile can I expect from Enigma Shiraz?

    Expect black cherry, cassis and dark chocolate on the nose, lifted by baking spice, vanilla and a savoury, beef-stock complexity. The palate delivers concentrated dark fruit with immaculate balance, remarkable length and fine, silky tannins.

  • How does McLaren Vale influence the style of this wine?

    McLaren Vale's Mediterranean climate, with warm days moderated by afternoon gulf breezes, allows slow, even ripening. This preserves natural acidity alongside deep varietal fruit, giving Enigma its concentration without losing freshness.

  • Is this wine better for drinking now or cellaring?

    Enigma can be enjoyed now, but it's built to reward patience, with a drinking window from 2026 through to 2046. Extended oak maturation gives it the structure to develop further complexity over the next two decades.

  • Does Enigma Shiraz need decanting before serving?

    Yes, decanting is recommended before serving, particularly for younger vintages, to help open up the wine's dark fruit and spice characters. Serve at 18-21 degrees Celsius for the best experience.

  • What is the alcohol content of Enigma Shiraz?

    Enigma Shiraz has an alcohol content of 14.5%, reflecting the concentrated fruit and warm McLaren Vale growing conditions of the 2024 vintage.