2022 JC Block McLaren Vale Shiraz, Koomilya

• Style: Refined McLaren Vale Shiraz, silken and restrained
• Taste: Quince paste, blackcurrant, paprika, hickory smoke and vanilla
• Food: Aged beef, BBQ, braised lamb, hard cheese
• Occasion: Date night, cellar worthy, gifting
• Serve: 16–18°C, decant 30 minutes

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Deceptively restrained at first, then generous. Quince paste and vanilla bean open into blackcurrant, rhubarb and blackberry, with paprika and hickory smoke adding savoury depth. The tannins unfurl gently across the palate with surprising lightness for its intensity, proving refinement over extraction.

The Winery — Koomilya

Stephen Pannell's 12-hectare Koomilya vineyard, purchased in 2012, sits on ancient grey slate and siltstone in Upper Tintara. The JC Block draws from 50-year-old vines and surrounding forest that moderate the climate—the same fruit that once won the Jimmy Watson Trophy at Hardy's. The 2022 vintage delayed ripening by two weeks, reducing yields yet delivering exceptional fruit quality. Pannell's approach embraces modern winemaking that returns to 1960s refinement and restraint: the wine sees six months in older French oak, unfined and gently pressed, celebrating what the vineyard naturally expresses rather than masking it.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This is a wine that rewards patience and pairs beautifully with aged beef, barbecued meats, braised lamb and hard cheeses like Gouda or Pecorino. The savoury sophistication speaks to both hearty grilled dishes and intimate dinners. Our Syrah & Shiraz selection showcases regional diversity worldwide, yet few Australian expressions carry this kind of poise. It's a testament to why Australia leads on export markets, and why Koomilya stands out in our broader McLaren Vale collection. Serve at 16–18°C; decant 30 minutes to let the aromatics open.