Coates ‘The Mourvèdre’ 2022 from Willunga in McLaren Vale is a softly textured, warm‑climate red that leans into game, herbs and juicy dark fruit – classic Mourvèdre personality with Coates’ usual polish and savoury detail. It’s a small‑batch, unfined and unfiltered wine built for hearty food and slow dinners.

Perfumed aromas offer game and fresh herb intertwined with blueberry and plum notes, giving both savoury intrigue and plush fruit. On the palate, Coates The Mourvèdre 2022 provides an array of juicy berry fruits, lavender and exotic spices framed by smoky oak and silky tannins; it’s medium‑to‑full bodied, warm but balanced, with a long, gently spicy finish that feels very Mediterranean.

From an Adelaide sommelier’s angle, this Mourvèdre is tailor‑made for lamb shanks, slow‑braised beef, cassoulet, char‑grilled vegetables and hard, nutty cheeses. It’s the sort of soulful McLaren Vale red you pour on a cool night when you want something a little wild, a little gamey and very comforting in the glass.