-
97
/ 100
James Halliday -
95
/ 100
Gary Walsh
Red
Classification
Shiraz
Variety
2015
Vintage
750ml (Bottle)
Bottle Size
Australia
Country
South Australia, McLaren Vale
Region
14.0%
Alcohol %
15 Plus Years
Cellaring
Scores
97 / 100"Identical vinification to that of DC Block except picking 4 days later on 14 Feb, yet at a lower alcohol of 13.2% and a slightly brighter crimson-purple colour reflecting the higher acidity (6.5g/l versus 5.6g/l). These differences strike home on the medium-bodied palate, which is exceptionally fresh and vibrant, savoury and laced with fine-grained tannins. A striking example of terroir at work, the two wines joined at the hip bottled on the same day, yet so different."
- James Halliday
95 / 100
"It’s labelled as 14.5% on the bottle, but the tech sheet says 13.2%, so I will go with that. An error in your favour, as you might read while playing Monopoly, unless you perceive additional alcohol at no extra cost to be beneficial. Blackberry, ripe raspberry, cocoa, iron and earth, aniseed and cedar. It’s dense and savoury, but with ample fruit sweetness, tannin tightly packed yet smooth, dark chocolate and black olive rolled in dried herbs. Length is sure. Such distinctive wines from Koomilya."
- Gary Walsh
Tasting Notes
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 vineyardduring his tenure as Chief Red Winemaker at Hardys.
Hand harvested on the 3rd of March. Gently crushed and pumped to a large old oak fermenter acquired from a dear friend. Gently pressed after spontaneous fermentation and 14 days on skins. Settled in tank for 15 days before transfer to a two year old 2300L French oak vat for malolactic fermentation and extended maturation. Racked three times and bottled, unfined, on the 28th of October 2022.
Flavour Profile: It’s never easy to describe the assault of aromas and flavours from the JC block Shiraz. For Stephen, it’s the true indication of a great wine. The aromas seem to be everywhere all at once. Signature iodine, split red wood, clove, bay and dark cherries in syrup are backed up by Ribena, red liquorice, toasted rye and freshly ground black pepper.
Structure & Texture: Powerful tannins supported by the ferruginous flavours typical of Upper Tintara: cocoa, bitumen, terracotta, the Aussie bush, dark red fruits – Ionian purple and waves of dark blue – Luxury wine that seems to expand beyond the confines of the palate on an unending finish. - Stephen Pannell
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity