2018 review (2019 not yet reviewed) “Immediately appealing with its juicy fruit, licorice, mocha and eucalypt flavours. Pure essence of the Vale with vitality and freshness; it spends 8 months in seasoned French barrels, no need of new oak as the fruit tannins add structure. It has its own groove. Drink by 2026.” 95 points, Halliday rating, WineCompanion.com.au, August 2020
Cooter & Cooter is a family business and the logo reflects the connection between the generations of winemakers. The cursive script has been used by various Cooter businesses since 1847.
In 1992 Colin Cooter created Lengs & Cooter with Karel Lengs and in 2012 Colin’s son James established Cooter & Cooter with his wife Kimberly. A winemaker herself, Kimberly began learning her craft under the tutelage of her father, veteran McLaren Vale winemaker Walter Clappis. Walter is best known for his much celebrated time running Ingoldby Wines and more recently, The Hedonist Wines.
In 2005 James and Kimberly spent a year working in California’s Sonoma Valley then, invigorated by their experience, they returned to Australia to continue making wine at The Hedonist. Finally in 2012, now with over 20 vintages between them, they purchased their own vineyard at Whites Valley near Willunga in McLaren Vale. The vineyard, with views to the coast just a few kilometres away, features Grenache vines planted in the 1950s, along with Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted in 1996.