Provenance

The Coats Family Cellar is arguably the most prestigious fine wine collection ever offered in South Africa. It contains a deep 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 reefer. 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

‘The 1992 Opus One, a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot, offers a beautiful dark ruby/purple color, a big, spicy nose of cassis, lead pencil, and smoky oak, round, full-bodied, broad, fat flavors crammed with black fruits, soft tannin, low acidity, and a fleshy, full-bodied finish. This rich wine confirms just how fine these wines have become since the 1990 vintage.’ – Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 92/100 (Jun 1995)

‘Tightly wound, with firm tannins. The core of meaty currant, anise, cedar and spice tasted awkward, but all the ingredients are there for greatness. I expect this wine may take longer than most Opuses to reach its peak. Best from 2002 through 2010.’ – James Laube, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Feb 2000)

‘A mélange of dark raspberries, menthol, savory herbs and anise jump from the glass in the 1992 Opus One. The aromas are a little more advanced than the fruit, but the 1992 still has plenty of depth, richness and pure sensuality. Readers may want to give the 1992 a year or two to see if the tannins have a little more sweetness to give. In 1992 the blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot.’ – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 90/100 (Jun 2013)