SC Pannell Koomilya Dc Block Shiraz 2021

SC Pannell Koomilya DC Block Shiraz 2021

Wedged between the original Upper Tintara vineyard – planted by the famous Doctor Kelly in 1862, and the Hope Farm or Seaview vineyard established in the early 1850s by George Manning,  Koomilya’s landscape and microclimate first captured the winemaker’s heart in December 1994 while Stephen was working with BRL Hardy. 

Despite visiting hundreds of vineyards across the globe, it was Koomilya that continued to call. Having expressed his wishes to one day own the vineyard should the then owner Don Cant ever look to sell, it was in late 2012 that the opportunity arose for Stephen and Fiona to become the new custodians of the 35 hectare property and so to the chance to regenerate an old Shiraz vineyard amongst an ancient landscape.

A single block Shiraz from 49 year old vines grown on ancient, dark grey slaty siltstone soils flecked with ironstone facing south-east at an altitude of 108m. The DC Block is named for Don Cant, the previous owner, and was the first single block wine released from the vineyard. 

Hand harvested on the 6th of March. Gently crushed and pumped to one of two large
old oak fermenters acquired from a dear friend. Gently pressed after spontaneous
fermentation and 14 days on skins. Settled in tank for 12 days before transfer to a 9
year old 2300L French oak vat and two new puncheons for malolactic fermentation.
Racked once and bottled, unfined, on the 28th of October 2022. 

Boysenberry, fresh leather, thyme and almost a heady mix of musk coated in dark chocolate, there’s a wonderful array of complexing aromatics – almost a savoury Italian baking spice element. It’s pure and elegant whilst retaining the cut and edge as if dusty, dried herbs line the outer rows of the property. This is quintessentially a wine of place, it feels very McLaren Vale but very Koomilya – the familiarity of dark chocolate and raspberry, but pushed to show the high tone of the fruit and the sinew and grip of dusted cocoa – immense acid and tannin balance. It’s complex and has grit and energy, but at no stage is it difficult, it’s completely where it wants to be and seamlessly shows drive and elegance with swathes of persistence.