2021 Koomilya GT Block Shiraz 750ml

Overview

The 2021 Koomilya GT Block Shiraz is a distinctive single-block expression from Stephen Pannell’s historic McLaren Vale vineyard. Lifted, fragrant and energetic, it combines vivid red fruit and spice with savoury complexity, finely shaped tannins and an unusual sense of lightness within the powerful Koomilya style. Built for a long life in the cellar, this is a highly individual expression of both vineyard and site.

Vineyard

GT Block comes from 33-year-old Shiraz vines grafted onto Gewurztraminer planted in 1974 by Jill and Don Cant, the vineyard’s previous owners. The south-facing block sits at 116 metres altitude on ancient dark grey slaty siltstone laminated with ironstone. It was the last block at Koomilya to be restored to health, with “GT” referring playfully to either “grafted” or “Gewurztraminer”.

Winemaking

The fruit was hand harvested on 27 February and immediately crushed, with 20% retained as whole bunches. Following spontaneous fermentation and 16 days on skins, the wine was gently pressed and settled in tank for 16 days. It was then racked off its yeast lees into a three-year-old 2,800L French oak vat and one two-year-old extra-large French oak puncheon for malolactic fermentation. The wine was racked once after malolactic fermentation and bottled unfined on 28 October 2022.

Producer Tasting Notes

“Energetic aromas all vibing in unison: red cherry, raspberry and cream, crushed spice, iodine sits back, bourbon barrels and faint woodsmoke, cassia bark, cedar and clove, rounded out by the sweet aroma of a rainy weekend afternoon.” — Koomilya

“Dark perfume appears on the palate and builds in tension and charm. Supple flavours start high and slowly descend before tumbling down a silky finish. Pomegranate molasses stir the tannins into a dervish of sweet red flavour, and remind us all to dance with someone we love. Full of life and vigour.” — Koomilya

Critic Reviews

96 Points — Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion
“Native ferment with 20% whole bunches and 16 days on skins; maturation in a 2800L oak vat. Although the most lifted and fragrant of the Koomilya shiraz triad, this has the same drive and effortless power, and at relatively modest alcohol. Musky, dusky florals, panforte spicing, dried orange peel, blackberry pastille, salumi, coal dust, iron, black coffee and fresh cherry pulp. This is the least upholstered of the block trio, which is neither here nor there, but there is a certain drive and relative lightness that distinguishes it as something quite individual, and also quite special.”
Published 08 August 2024

96 Points — The Wine Front
Tasted September 2024

Specifications

• Vintage: 2021
• Grape Variety: Shiraz
• Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
• Vineyard: GT Block, Koomilya Vineyard
• Vine Age: 33 years
• Planting: Shiraz grafted onto Gewurztraminer planted in 1974
• Aspect: South-facing
• Altitude: 116m
• Soil: Ancient dark grey slaty siltstone laminated with ironstone
• Alcohol: 14%
• Sweetness: Dry
• Production Attributes: Hand harvested; 20% whole bunch; unfined
• Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation; 16 days on skins
• Maturation: Three-year-old 2,800L French oak vat and one two-year-old extra-large French oak puncheon
• Drinking Window: 2024–2038