Description
This is a very special release for virtuoso winemaker, Steve Pannell. The 2021 DC Block Shiraz comes from the original plot that gave Koomilya its cult status. Named after Don Cant, a previous owner, this wine is all about tension and power.
Grown on slaty siltstone flecked with ironstone, the DC Block is the darkest and most intense of the trio. Aromas of brine, charcuterie, Satsuma plum, and Russian caravan tea swirl together, offering a savoury, almost umami experience on the nose. On the palate, it bursts with energy—cranberry, pomegranate, and sandalwood textures meld seamlessly with its coiled tannic structure, creating a wine that’s both full of power and elegantly poised.
Critics have been universally impressed by the DC Block's tension and depth. Marcus Ellis awarded it 97 points, praising its "brilliant" interplay of savoury tannins, sour cherry, and warm spice, noting that it’s expansive yet serene with beautifully extracted tannins. Meanwhile, Ned Goodwin MW echoed the sentiment, awarding 96 points, and describing its notes of rosewater, cherries, and dried lavender as "immaculate," pointing to the wine’s "toothsome" appeal and serious ageing potential.
With only 24 bottles available, the DC Block, with its balance of elegance and weight will appeal to those who appreciate a wine that can deliver both immediate pleasure and long-term complexity. A wine for the real collectors, this is premium McLaren Vale Shiraz at its seductive best.
97 points
“The fruit swoops in on the palate, expansive but serene, with ripples of texture, tannins extracted masterfully, caressing, savoury but not drying, quietly commanding. Brilliant.”
– Marcus Ellis (Wine Companion, August 2024)
96 points
“A historic site of old vines and meager, low-yielding soils. The wines are perfumed and immaculate, with no lack of structural components. They have the capacity to age, but most of all a winning toothsomeness demanding a revisit to the glass.”
– Ned Goodwin MW (JamesSuckling.com, March 2024)
96 points
"A beautiful and distinctive expression of Australian Shiraz. Yes."
- Gary Walsh (The wine Front)
S.C. Pannell
Visionary winemaker Stephen Charles Pannell Discover S.C. Pannell
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Shipping
Delivery is free on orders of $150 or more!
For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.
We will dispatch your order the same or next business day.
Estimated delivery transit time varies depending on your location. Please review this page for specific estimates.
Sydney (Our Vans): If no one is home and there are no special delivery instructions our driver will try to call for instructions. If the driver believes there is a safe space to leave your wine they will do so if not, they will return the item to us and hold your order until further instruction from you.
Melbourne (Anonymous Wine Freight): If no one is home and there are no special delivery instructions, the courier will try to call for instructions. If the driver believes there is a safe space to leave your wine they will do so. if not, they will return the item to their dispatch centre and hold until further instruction from you.
Australia Post: Australia Post will leave the parcel if they have been given authority to leave and it is deemed safe to do so. To give your Authority to Leave, please enter this in the 'SPECIAL REQUEST' box at checkout.
Ordering
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Some things to keep in mind:
- Retrospective price-matching is available for 30 days after you have purchased from us.
- The price match cannot be used in conjunction with a coupon or one-off deal we are offering. The idea is for you to get the best price in the market so if that is already achieved through a coupon then we won't price match on top of that.
- We don't price match clearance or fire sales.
- We’ll match the listed price as long as it is a legitimate offer and the competing store is actually able to fulfil the order (they have stock or more stock is en route). Essentially we won't price match cheeky vendors listing wines they have no hope of actually getting for you...
- It must be a publicly listed price. We won't match a price that has been achieved through a coupon/cash-back arrangement, or through a non-advertised offer over the phone or otherwise.
- It is limited to a reasonable retail quantity.
We'll treat each price match request on its merit and reserve the right to refuse where we deem fit. For example, particularly rare wines, from non-trust-worthy vendors, in circumstances we deem illegitimate or if we feel our policy is being unfairly taken advantage of.
At the end of the day, we'll look after you and use common sense to ensure you're getting the best price, please just don't take the p%$$!
No, feel free to mix it up! There is no minimum requirement. You can order wines in any quantity or combination, 1 or 50+ bottles.
We stock three different sized gift boxes (single, three bottle and six), all are available for purchase for a flat rate of $8. They look great and make an awesome impression.
To add a gift box to your order, simply add at checkout. The special requests box is your friend, please give us as many details of what you are looking for and we will try our best, or get in contact to discuss it with you.
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