The crafting of a wine of little compromise with a focus on refined quality has been an ongoing project for Coates Wines. The style intended was not bigger is better, with masses of fruit, oak and tannin produced in a heroic style best tackled in 30 years time. If an inspirational source could be named, it would be along the lines of Guigal La Turque; long ageing in new oak, structure with refinement, and expressive but not excessive fruit character.

The name Shin (truth) Zen (goodness) Bi (beauty) has been taken from the guiding principles of Kyudo, the Japanese art of archery. Selecting Syrah true to variety, vintage and region, followed by thoughtful winemaking allows the creation of a wine of beauty and harmony. Whilst winemaker Duane Coates is not a practitioner of Kyudo, he has a long standing passion for archery in its many disciplines and is a Grand Master Bowman with many years of national and international competition experience.

Winemaking

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.

Tasting Notes

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.

Technical Information

Alcohol – 14.5% by volume                     Residual sugar – <1.0 g/L

Total Acidity – 6.6 g/L                            Volatile Acidity – 0.70 g/L

pH – 3.53                                              Sulphur Dioxide – 30 mg/L Free