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

'Very Burgundian. First time I tasted it from bottle, it reminded me of La Tâche. It still does. It shows wonderful plum, strawberry and cherry on the nose, with milk chocolate undertones. Full-bodied, very balanced and refined, it has ultra-fined tannins and a long, long finish. I love the texture and raciness of this. Best after 2012.' - Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Apr 2008)

'Very savoury but jagged. Lots of acidity rather than gentle stuff. Mild cocoa with floral notes.' – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Oct 2009)

'One of the candidates for the Pomerol of this challenging vintage, Le Pin’s 2002 boasts a deep plum/purple color in addition to sweet aromas of dried herbs, roasted coffee, chocolate, plums, and sweet cherries. This luscious offering possesses terrific fruit, medium body, low acidity, and a long, heady finish. Drink it over the next 12-15 years. It is an amazing wine for the vintage!' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Apr 2005)

'Full red-ruby. Ripe aromas of plum, dark raspberry, chocolate and espresso. Fat, lush and fruity, with a lovely pliant texture and impressive richness for the vintage; hints of espresso and roasted herbs.' - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 91/100 (May 2005)