Description
Duane Coates is one of the quiet achievers of the Australian Wine Scene (Masters in Oenology and an MBA from Adelaide University & soon to become a 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, no additions of tannin, enzyme, acid, single racking, unfined, unfiltered, low sulphur) small batch winemaking, traditional 1/2 tonne Mori basket press to ensure velvety tannin profile.
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.”
Duane’s challenge to make a quality, economical, every day drinking wine was ‘La Petite Rouge’. All his wines over-deliver but this takes the quality to value proposition to another realm! 70% shiraz from the iconic 45 year old Borrett vineyard in Langhorne Creek (also supplies Penfolds and Noon at several times the price), and the balance from Adelaide Hill Syrah and other varietals.
Duane says “La Petite Rouge 2017 is our Syrah (Shiraz) based affordable wine. We have started with good vineyard sites, but kept down costs by not using new oak, utilizing less expensive (and more environmentally friendly) glass for our bottles and maintaining a 12 month barrel maturation regime. The base wine uses Langhorne Creek Syrah, Adelaide Hills Syrah and the balance Adelaide Hills pressings.”
“Fermentation using natural yeast proceeded over a three week to four period in open fermenters. Pressing was conducted using a small ½ tonne Mori basket press that gives a mellow flavour and soft tannin profile. Maturation in used French barriques provides a hint of savoury oak character whilst allowing the fruit characters to be expressed unhindered. A single racking and regular topping are the only time the wine is disturbed post malo with 18 months spent in wood. Bottling date is determined when the tannin and oak balance feel right.” Duane Coates.
Deep crimson in colour, the plum and raspberry aromas are supported by liquorice, black pepper and fresh herb notes. The palate offers vibrant black fruits along with spice, undergrowth and subtle oak. Drink now to 2028.
The 2019 is here and we are thrilled with it. This is a joy and yes its dangerously easy to drink … the quality in the bottle is of a wine of several times the price.
Review of 2017
92 points, Ned Goodwin for Halliday’s Australian Wine Commpanion “A sassy red for the table. A choir of shiraz’s darker fruit accents alongside a chorus of dried herb, pyrazine and sage, suggesting a chorus of others: declassified barrels of different varieties. Best to think of this as a deft in-house field blend! The palate is mid-weighted and highly savoury, defined by a gentle astringency and just the right amount of fruit weight. Sappy length and imminently approachable, I could drink this every day.”
RRP $24 … Our Special Buy 6 or more for only $19.99 a bottle
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