The 2020 Coates The Reserve Syrah is a limited-release, single-vineyard Syrah from Willunga, McLaren Vale, South Australia, produced only in exceptional vintages. Sourced from carefully selected parcels, the fruit was hand-picked, naturally fermented on skins for four weeks and matured for 24 months in a combination of new and one-year-old French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2020 vintage opens with layered aromas of blackberry, dark plum and mulberry, complemented by violet, cracked black pepper, olive tapenade, smoked meat and subtle cedar spice.
On the palate, it is full-bodied with fine-grained tannins, vibrant natural acidity and a beautifully integrated texture. Concentrated flavours of black cherry, blackberry and dark plum are intertwined with notes of liquorice, cocoa, graphite and savoury spice, leading to a long, persistent finish. Extended maturation in French oak contributes depth and refinement while allowing the purity of the fruit and distinctive McLaren Vale character to remain at the forefront. The result is a poised, cellar-worthy Syrah with impressive balance and complexity.
Ben's Recommendation: At Wine More Cellars, this is an outstanding choice for customers seeking a premium Australian Syrah with depth, elegance and exceptional ageing potential. It pairs beautifully with slow-roasted lamb shoulder, grilled rib-eye steak, braised beef cheeks, venison or aged hard cheeses. Enjoy now after 1–2 hours of decanting, or cellar over the next 12–18 years, where it will continue to develop greater savoury complexity, silky texture and layered aromatics.
