Provenance

The Coats Family Cellar is arguably the most prestigious fine wine collection ever offered in South Africa. It contains an expansive collection of the worlds finest, most sought-after wines, spanning over 150 years. Collected over many decades, the cellar was imported from Ireland to South Africa via refrigerated container. Each bottle within the Coats Family Cellar was authenticated by Michael Egan in August 2022 and given an ID number for tracking.

Michael Egan is a world-expert in fine and rare wines with more than thirty five years of experience. He was the principal expert for the plaintiff in the two major wine counterfeiting trials in Koch v. Eric Greenberg and United States v. Rudy Kurniawan, both of which occurred in 2013.

Along with Michael Egan, the Strauss & Co Fine Wine team have tasted extensively through the cellar and are confident of the wine storage and hence quality. The entire collection is currently stored at Wine Cellar.

Critics Ratings

'Good full medium red. Pure aromas of cassis, violet and minerals. Rich, sweet, suave and penetrating, with lovely mineral character and integrated acidity contributing to an impression of precision. Very primary, long and subtle on the back end. This makes the Romanee-Conti seem almost earthy by comparison.' - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 94/100 (Mar 2003)

'Twenty years on the 2000 La Tâche is beginning to lose some of its baby fat, although it is still redolent of lush floral notes and exotic spice on the nose. As the oak begins to recede, ripe, solid cherry fruit with a firmly mineral undercurrent come to the fore and the substance and grip of the wine becomes evident. Although this was pleasant in its youth, do not be deceived into thinking it will not age; this is a wine of great breed and elegance.' - Charles Curtis, Decanter, 98/100 (Nov 2020)

'The 2000 La Tâche Grand Cru is showing extraordinarily well, and I can only assume that the comparatively parsimonious appreciation it has received from other wine critics is owing to insecurity concerning awarding a high score to a wine from an "off vintage." Soaring from the glass with a deep and complex bouquet of wilted rose petals, sweet wild berry fruit, exotic spices, orange rind and violets, it's full-bodied, sensual and enveloping, with a deep and layered core of fruit, melting tannins, succulent acids and a long, sapid finish. Fully mature, the 2000 is one of the most rewarding recent vintages of La Tâche to drink today.' - William Kelley, Wine Advocate, 96/100 (Mar 2022)

'Truly glorious and incredibly seductive in the nose, with a complex but also subtle swirl of fruit, herbs and spice. Bold, sleek and velvety on the palate, with a distinct core that is pleasingly redolent of fresh-picked grape stems, but surrounded by ripe raspberry and cherry flavors. It evens out with hints of leather, toast, crème brûlée, rose petals, citrus and toast on the long, lingering finish.' - Wine Enthusiast, 97/100 (Oct 2003)