Coates Shin Zen Bi Syrah 2012

Deep crimson red in colour. Vibrant aromas of blackberry and raspberry accompanied by mocha, roasted spice and subtle dark earth notes. Plush and softly textured on the palate with black fruits interwoven with sous bois, liquorice and game nuances. The lingering finish is supported by layers of soft velvety tannin. Drink now to 2030. 25 cases made.

The Syrah grapes were from Willunga and Blewitt Springs vineyard locations at an average are of 50 years. Crushed and destemmed fruit was fermented for three weeks on skins using natural yeasts. Maturation was conducted in new Nadalie ‘Colbert’ and Seguin-Moreau ‘Grand Cru’ French oak barriques over 33 months. Post MLF racking the wine was only handled by gravity movement to protect the wine structure and provide gentle oxygen ingress. At 33 months elevage the Shin Zen Bi Syrah was showing the desired tension of balance between fruit, oak and tannins and a single barrel blend was assembled. After a few weeks of gravity settling, the wine was individually hand bottled by Duane Coates (with help from his father washing bottles) under double hand select natural cork. The traditional approach used to make The Shin Zen Bi Syrah precludes the use of the additives and fining agents such as tannins, enzymes, egg, fish or milk products. Bottled unfined and unfiltered in December of 2014.