2018 Koomilya JC Block Shiraz

'These wines have strength, intensity, and glorious grape tannins, which wind the palate together, almost like a double helix. The complex structure pulls you straight through.

They illustrate what I’m hoping modern McLaren Vale wine will be, which harks back to a tradition of what it looked like in the 1960’s without all the artifice of winemaking.

Above all, these wines look and taste, Koomilya’.

Stephen Pannell

PLACE
At the end of Amery Rd sits a beautiful 80 acre property, established in the late 19^th Century. The vineyards are surrounded by native bush land and nestled in the forest, an important factor in moderating the climate. Home to three different soil types and a micro-climate that gives this property a unique geological and viticultural foot print.

VITICULTURE AND WINEMAKING
A single block Shiraz from 46 year old vines grown on ancient, dark grey slaty siltstone soils laminated with ironstone facing South West at an altitude of 120m.
The JC Block is named for Jill Cant, the previous owner, and was the first block I worked with on the vineyard during my tenure at Hardy’s.

Hand harvested on the 1^st of March, 80% crushed and 20% left as whole bunches, gently pressed after spontaneous fermentation and 14 days on skins. Settled in tank for 12 days before being sent to French oak puncheons, second and third use, for malolactic fermentation and maturation. Racked once and bottled, unfined and unfiltered, on the 11^th of December 2019. 1,900 bottles produced.

VINTAGE
Simply stated, 2018 was a solid year. A vintage without extremes that was kind to both winemakers and vines alike. The fruit had lovely freshness and vivacity, the crops were of an average size and there was consistency throughout despite the dryness of the soil.

AROMAS
It’s never easy to describe the assault of aromas and flavours from the JC Block Shiraz, for me that’s the true indication of a great wine. One moment there is the soil: red brick, ironstone and terracotta the next boysenberry and scarlet fruit and then moments of mahogany and split red wood, Koomilya’s signature aromas.

PALATE
The tannins gently coat and caress the palate, the fruit is juicy and comes in waves forming layers as it goes and there is a deftness and lightness that always surprises and delights.

WINE ANALYSIS
Alcohol 14% | pH 3.61 | Total acidity 6.4

CELLARING
As long as you can, go for twenty.

  Winefront review by Gary Walsh posted on 7 October 2021

'A single block planted 46 years ago. 20% whole bunch, second and third fill puncheons. 1,900 bottles produced. Great to taste these three single block Koomilya wines together, but this is the one that really makes you go ‘Woah!’.

Earthy, saline, fragrant, deep, special. Liquorice, bramble fruit, walnut, spice, charcoal, dried flowers and herbs. Thick tanning rolling through the mouth, nori and lavender perfume, all the berries but not fruity, as such, powerful and stony, with chew and freshness on a superb long finish. And, indeed, it’s the length of flavour and presence that marks this out as a special wine. Outstanding. An Australian classic. Very long term.'

96+ Points

jamessuckling.com review by Nick Stock

“This parcel is rich in limestone and ironstone and gives a bold delivery of ripe, glossy red and dark berry and plum fruit aromas and flavors. The plushness is so impressive, blooming with big flavors. Delicious and almost hedonistically fruited but precisely balanced. Concentrated and packed with fine, rich, smooth tannins. You can drink it now but try after 2025 to see more of what’s inside.” 

99 Points

2018 Koomilya DC Block Shiraz

‘These wines have strength, intensity, and glorious grape tannins, which wind the palate together, almost like a double helix. The complex structure pulls you straight through.

They illustrate what I’m hoping modern McLaren Vale wine will be, which harks back to a tradition of what it looked like in the 1960’s, without all the artifice of winemaking.

Above all, these wines look and taste, Koomilya’

Stephen Pannell

PLACE
At the end of the Amery Rd sits a beautiful 80 acre property, established in the late 19^th Century. The vineyards are surrounded by native bush land and nestled in the forest, an important factor in moderating the climate. Home to three different soil types and a micro-climate that gives this property a unique geological and viticultural foot print.

VITICULTURE AND WINEMAKING
A single block Shiraz from 46 year old vines grown on ancient, dark grey slaty siltstone soils laminated 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 4^th of March, 78% crushed and 22% left as whole bunches, gently pressed after spontaneous fermentation and just 11 days on skins. Settled in tank for 8 days before being sent to French oak puncheons, second and third use, for malolactic fermentation and maturation. Racked twice and bottled, unfined and unfiltered, on the 11^th of December 2019, 2800 bottles produced.

VINTAGE
Simply stated, 2018 was a solid year. A vintage without extremes that was kind to both winemakers and vines alike. The fruit had lovely freshness and vivacity, the crops were of an average size and there was consistency throughout despite the dryness of the soil.

AROMAS
First and foremost, dark fruits including cherry, loganberry and black currant followed by red dust, dark caramel and creaming soda, reminiscent of coastal, country-roads and the Australian Bush.

PALATE
I love the weight and elegant tap dance of the tannins that are unmistakably DC. Texturally like chewing on pomegranate seeds followed by a finish that is voluptuous and velvety with an upright bearing. Regal.

WINE ANALYSIS
Alcohol 13.5% | pH 3.61 | Total acidity 6.3

CELLARING
As long as you can, go for twenty.

  Winefront review by Gary Walsh posted on 7 October 2021

2018 Koomilya GT Block Shiraz

‘These wines have strength, intensity, and glorious grape tannins, which wind the palate together, almost like a double helix. The complex structure pulls you straight through.

They illustrate what I’m hoping modern McLaren Vale wine will be, which harks back to a tradition of what it looked like in the 1960’s, without all the artifice of winemaking.

Above all, these wines look and taste, Koomilya’

Stephen Pannell

PLACE
At the end of the Amery Rd sits a beautiful 80 acre property, established in the late 19^th Century. The vineyards are surrounded by native bush land and nestled in the forest, an important factor in moderating the climate. Home to three different soil types and a micro-climate that gives this property a unique geological and viticultural foot print.

VITICULTURE AND WINEMAKING
A single block Shiraz from 30 year old vines grafted on Gewurztraminer planted in 1974 by Jill and Don Cant, the previous owners. Grown on ancient, dark grey slaty siltstone soils flecked with ironstone facing South at an altitude of 116m.

This is the first release as a single block wine with the restoration of the block taking longer than expected. GT stands for the grafted or Gewurztraminer, take your pick.

Hand harvested on the 1^st of March, crushed, and gently pressed after spontaneous fermentation and 12 days on skins. Settled in tank for 10 days before being sent to French oak puncheons, 20% new, for malolactic fermentation and short maturation. Racked once in May 2019 before further maturation in 2800L French oak vat. Bottled, unfined and unfiltered, on the 11^th of December 2019, 3600 bottles produced.

VINTAGE
Simply stated, 2018 was a solid year. A vintage without extremes that was kind to both winemakers and vines alike. The fruit had lovely freshness and vivacity, the crops were of an average size and there was consistency throughout despite the dryness of the soil.

AROMAS
A gloriously complex perfume of lavender, thyme and spring herbs followed by Upper Tintarra’s signature aromas of iodine and seaweed. Bright red fruits soon kick in with dusting of cocoa and rooibos tea. I can’t help but notice the spice and muscat aromas of gewurztraminer but not sure if it’s there or a suggestion of the rootstock.

PALATE
The palate is loud and rumbunctious, a hurly burly tumble of tannins that speak to the struggle in getting these vines right. There is sanguine richness to the palate and a suggestion of tomato sauce and caramelised onion on a long finish. Deeply complex and satisfying.

WINE ANALYSIS
Alcohol 14% | pH 3.75 | Total acidity 5.9

CELLARING
Medium term, give it ten.

  Winefront reviews by Gary Walsh posted on 7 October 2021