Hidden among the rolling hills of McLaren Vale, Koomilya is the passion project of Stephen Pannell—one of Australia’s most celebrated Shiraz winemakers. He fell in love with this tiny, 13‑hectare vineyard back in 1994 and finally bought it in 2012. The name pays homage to the SS Koomilya, a 19th‑century lugger whose bell Stephen once discovered while diving. Farmed regeneratively on ancient slate‑y siltstone soils, each Shiraz block is fermented with native yeasts in large oak vats or puncheons, then bottled unfiltered. The result is wines of incredible depth, spice and textural finesse that capture the true soul of McLaren Vale.
The 2021 JC Block Shiraz was harvested in March from 49-year-old vines growing in iron-rich siltstone. From the first pour, it offers dark, brooding aromas—cocoa, terracotta, and a savoury edge—followed by layers of dusky red fruits and dried Mediterranean herbs. There's a subtle mineral thread throughout, giving the wine a grounded, earthy character.
On the palate, it’s plush and deeply flavoured, with waves of ripe berry fruit carried by fine-grained tannins. The texture is both powerful and refined, leading to a long, expansive finish. It drinks well now with a decant, but has the structure and energy to evolve beautifully over the next two decades.
Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
