Coates The Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2021

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’.

From the winemaker about the 2021: “As with many of the wines made by Coates, the story of conception starts with food. Light-bodied white wines that accompany a range of summer and Asian food styles are often sought after in our household. To make such a style we drew wanted a white wine which showed great citrusy flavour intensity, depth of complexity and lovely acidity.

“The current release from 2021 is the results of the tweaking of winemaking style and vineyard locations as we constantly seek to build balance and complexity into our wines. The fruit is sourced from two vineyard blocks. The Semillon is sourced from Finniss in maritime climate of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Our Sauvignon Blanc is from the Kuitpo region of the Adelaide Hills (which is where the Coates winery based). A cool climate location ensures that the grapes have an elegance of flavour and good natural acidity that we seek to preserve in the finished wine.

“Our winemaking style is traditional with a gentle press of the grapes to yield the softest fruit characters. The Semillon (65%) and Sauvignon Blanc (35%) were picked and pressed at different harvest times then the juice combined in tank to cold settle. The Sem Sav juice was natural yeast fermented with fine solids in 25% new and 75% seasoned French oak barrels then aged on lees for six months. Blended and bottled in October of 2021, The Semillon Sauvignon Blanc will be drinking well for another eight to ten years.

“Light straw in colour, the nose shows restrained tropical fruits accompanied by lemongrass and a hint of brioche. A lithe palate with plenty of citrus zing with guava and delicious toast notes leading into a long, crisp finish.”

95 points, Ned Goodwin for Halliday Wine Companion “Oak is the orb around which this classic bordeaux blend should gravitate. Without it, the meld is zesty, fruity and too often, ordinary. With it, the stars align. Here, optimally ripe parcels mesh with fresher portions. All fermented spontaneously in used French wood. The result, giddy. Guava, hedgerow and sugar snap peas find effortless confluence with tatami hay, spearmint and lemon balm. This will age beautifully over the short–medium term.”

93 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front “Serious stuff from Coates. Always considered, premium/fine wine paradigm stuff. Here from a blend of Fleurieu and Adelaide Hills.

Textural feast! Sapid, tightly wound, good concentration of flavour, excellent extension too with cool, green herb-laced acidity following through. A lick of nuttiness, light tropical fruits, capsicum and ginger to taste and smell. Chalky pucker, gently, here too. Delicious, easy drinking feel but with enough generosity and layers to make you take this way more seriously. It’s straight up excellent, and I bet it cellars really well.”

RRP $34 Our Special Buy $27.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.