2021 Koomilya JC Block Shiraz

Highly RatedHALLIDAY TOP 100
A single block release from Steve Pannell's precious Koomilya vineyard. Bold yet perfectly balanced and impeccably crafted.

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Sale price$130.00
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Description

The 2021 JC Block Shiraz is a commanding wine from 49-year-old vines planted on iron-rich, slaty siltstone soils. This block was the first Stephen Pannell worked with during his tenure at Hardys, named after Jill Cant, one of Koomilya’s former custodians.

The JC Block Shiraz has an explosive aromatic profile—dark cherries in syrup, black pepper, red liquorice, and the unmistakable iodine character of Koomilya. These rich scents are underpinned by powerful tannins and the ferruginous flavours of the Upper Tintara district, giving the wine a distinct mineral-driven complexity.

Ned Goodwin MW described the JC Block as a "glorious, absolutely unique expression of full-bodied Shiraz," awarding it 97 points for its seamless balance between firm tannins, soaring florals, and aromatic spices. Marcus Ellis from Wine Companion was similarly captivated, giving it 98 points and praising its "deep, brooding" character, noting the wine's intriguing blend of dusky red fruits, blood, iron, and fine, supple tannins. Ellis declared it "one heck of a wine" and picked it as his standout of the 2021 vintage, reflecting its layered, seductive appeal, as did Gary Walsh in his 97 point review.

This is a wine built for the long haul—its depth and structure mean it will continue to evolve beautifully over the years. For serious collectors or Shiraz enthusiasts, this is a must-buy as one of the finest Shiraz Pannell has crafted to date.

98 points
“There really are no other wines that taste like the Koomilya shiraz triad, being utterly individual and beguiling wines of place. This, my pick of the vintage... It’s one heck of a wine.”
– Marcus Ellis (Wine Companion, August 2024)

97 points
"The finish is so long and beautifully textured. Wow. What a wine."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)
97 points
“A glorious, absolutely unique expression of full-bodied shiraz.”
– Ned Goodwin MW (JamesSuckling.com, March 2024)

A single block Shiraz from 49 year old vines grown on ancient, dark grey slaty siltstone rich in ironstone rubble, facing south-west at an altitude of 120m. The JC Block is named for Jill Cant, the previous owner, and was the first block Stephen worked with on the vineyard during his tenure as Chief Red Winemaker at Hardy's.

98 points – “Native ferment with 16 days on skins; maturation in a 2300L oak vat. There really are no other wines that taste like the Koomilya shiraz triad, being utterly individual and beguiling wines of place. This, my pick of the vintage. The three block wines are kindred but aptly singular, this with some of the succulence and girth of the DC and the relative levity of the GT, bound with more spice and intense compression than either. Deep, brooding, almost bottomless, but it’s no cudgel. Dusky red fruits and florals, a deep red cherry scent, blood and iron, licorice, tar, turned humus-rich soil, dried hardy herbs, and an invigorating sour-fruit-flavoured twang escorting the supple fruit with sublimely fine, grapey tannins. It’s one heck of a wine.” – Marcus Ellis (Wine Companion, August 2024)

97 points - "Blackcurrant and blackberry coulis, aniseed, subtle gum leaf perfume, along with floral top notes, chamomile tea perhaps, dark chocolate and spice. It’s full bodied, but fresh, and it’s a little brighter and more vibrant in nature than the brooding DC, the tannin is rich and ferrous and melts in the mouth like high quality dark chocolate, and there’s an almost pippy cranberry crunch to acidity, and the finish is so long and beautifully textured. Wow. What a wine." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

97 points – “This wine has iron-clad tension and rusty gristle set in firm relief against soaring florals, aromatic tea leaves, spices and boysenberries. The tannins are firm, but with such generosity to the fruit that the whole is immaculately poised. A glorious, absolutely unique expression of full-bodied shiraz.” – Ned Goodwin MW (JamesSuckling.com, March 2024)

94 points - "The 2021 Koomilya JC Shiraz is inky and black on the nose, with graphite and “fresh from the box” lead pencil, arnica, dark chocolate and blackberry. In the mouth, the wine is succulent and fresh, infused with green inflections—moss, mint, mulch, grass clippings, et al.—and grounded by red, earthy, shapely tannins. Raspberry pip and watermelon, black cherry and licorice. Impressive wine, this is packed with nooks and crannies of flavor. Blackcurrant pastille is the enduring flavor through the finish, and I am reminded of exactly this by the packet of wine gums (fruit gummies) irresponsibly consumed yesterday." - Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

S.C. Pannell

Quite simply, Stephen Pannell is one of Australia’s finest and most imaginative winemakers. He’s a Jimmy Watson Trophy winner, a McLaren Vale Bushing King winner, a two-time Max Schubert Trophy winner, International Red Winemaker of the Year and Decanter Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Contributors to the World of Wine. Nick Stock described him as potentially “one of the greatest Australian winemakers ever to make wines in our age”.

Steve’s wines are made with modern Australian food and wine culture at the front of mind. The wines come from a range of stunning McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills vineyards, and are made from sustainable varieties that properly suit his South Australian climate. They're built around brightness of fruit and savoury tannin structure, and whatever your poison is Steve has you covered!

He is truly one of the most forward-thinking and inspirational Australian winemakers alive today.

Visionary winemaker Stephen Charles Pannell Discover S.C. Pannell

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