Description

Duane Coates is one of the quiet achievers of the Australian Wine Scene (Masters in Oenology and an MBA from Adelaide University & newly crowned Master of Wine). His winemaking philosophy is simple: the highest quality fruit from sustainable vineyards (some organic), harvest when properly ripe and a natural winemaking approach (minimal intervention – wild yeasts, unfined, no additions of tannin, enzyme and acid).
Huon Hooke said: “Every wine I’ve tasted of McLaren Vale’s Duane Coates has been excellent…” Highly impressive wines – a style that bridges the gap between fruit driven Australian style and savoury complex wines of old world Europe.” Lisa Perrotti-Brown, from leading international website erobertparker.com said – “..a breath of fresh air in this area where a lot of producers seem to be following the herd down that incredibly ripe and sometimes over-ripe path that has caused not a few producers to come unstuck in heat-wave and drought conditions. These are superbly-crafted, well-priced wines that are wholeheartedly recommended’.

The hand-picked Blewitt Springs Grenache was fermented over a period of three weeks in an open fermenter. A portion of whole bunch fruit was included in the ferment to provide some ripe stalk tannin and a hint of carbonic maceration to the texture, aroma and flavour profile. Very gentle management and a cool post-ferment cuvaison provides a gentle, perfumed flavour and aroma profile. Maturation post pressing was in seasoned French oak Hogsheads to allow the fruit characters to be expressed unhindered. A single racking and regular topping are the only time the wine is disturbed post malo with 10 months spent in wood. The traditional approach used to make The Grenache precludes the use of the additives and fining agents such as tannins, enzymes, egg, fish or milk products. Bottled unfined and unfiltered in March of 2022.

“Our first single vineyard Grenache and absolutely one of our favourite wines from vintage 2021.” Duane Coates

Vibrant garnet in colour, the vjuicy raspberry fruits and exotic perfume notes are supported by game, white pepper and fresh herb. The palate shows gentle structure with velvety tannins an array of light forest fruits intertwined with rose petal, undergrowth and subtle oak.

97 points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate “This is just awesome. I usually taste and write at the same time, but here with this wine, I tasted it and then tasted it again. I didn’t write a thing initially—I was more focused on just taking it in. This 2021 The Grenache, McLaren Vale is fine-tuned: shavings of deli meat, layers of star anise, raspberry pip, rhubarb, blood and iodine, graphite and red apples. It is a concentrated wine of both gravitas and joy, too. There is something that has really got me hanging in on the finish—dates or nutmeg spice… or something spicy. It’s intriguing. A wine of poise and focus. Tannins are a highlight.”

RRP $53 Our Special Price $46.99 when you buy 6 or more