Description
Stephen Pannell marked 10 years of the S.C. Pannell label in style, buying a vineyard he’s loved for years, acquiring a winery and cellar door in the heart of McLaren Vale and scooping the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for his 2013 Adelaide Hills Syrah. He’s one of the most liked and respected winemakers in the business, loved also by a wine-drinking public looking for refreshing, aromatic white wines and reds that are approachable and moreish – in essence, wines that are serious while remaining irresistible to drink. It’s this that made him an irresistible choice as Gourmet Traveller WINE Winemaker of the Year in 2015. From its new permanent home in McLaren Vale, S.C. Pannell continues its quest for great “wines that are grown, not made” – wines that are delicious, that taste of where they’re from and that are a natural partner for the food and lifestyle of their home.
Stephen Pannell has twice won Australia’s most prestigious wine award, the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy – most recently in 2014 for his 2013 Adelaide Hills Syrah – and his reputation is further hinted at by his being named one of the 50 most influential contributors to the world of wine by Decanter Magazine.
He earned his stripes working with some Australia’s iconic wineries including Wirra Wirra, Hardy’s Tintara and BRL Hardy, where he was Chief Red Winemaker from 1999 to 2003. He has worked numerous overseas vintages at such places as Domaine des Comtes Lafon in Burgundy, Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux and G.D. Vajra in Barolo.
In 2014, Steve further cemented his relationship with the great grapegrowing region that is South Australia by setting up a cellar door in the heart of McLaren Vale.
James Halliday on Steve Pannell “….Steve radiates intensity, and extended experience has resulted in wines of the highest quality right from the first vintage. The Pannells have purchased two vineyards in McLaren Vale,the first planted in 1891 with a precious 3.6ha of shiraz. A second property was purchased in 2014, lifting the estate vineyards to a total of 22ha. Steve manages the vineyard with the aim of generating full flavour ripeness as close to 13% as possible. The future for the Pannells is limitless, the icon status of the label already established. 5 Red Star Winery.”
About this wine from the winemaker: “The last Shiraz block left standing at our Olivers Road home. Named for the original owners of the property, the Merrivale block was planted in 1970 and, unusually, runs East West. The orientation leads to less stress with balanced ripeness achieved at lower baumes. The ironstone rich soils contribute to the structure and allows us to leave the wine unadulterated.
“Picked on the 7th of March, crushed to an open top fermenter, left on skins for 12 days before very gentle pressing. Initial malolactic fermentation in tank before transfer to French oak puncheons (third to tenth use) for completion and extended maturation. Racked twice and bottled in late August 2023 without fining or filtration.
“About the 2022 vintage – Quality was good due to the long slow ripening period. Reds developed depth of flavour and complex tannins. A vintage to seek out and keep.
“Inviting dark flavours are the signature of this block. Black fruit coulis ready for ice cream. Dusty spice including black pepper, liquorice, star anise and dark cocoa followed by petrichor, and dirt roads lined with lavender and midnight violets. Some shy citrus peel makes itself known on the appetising finish, bringing a beam of bright light to a dark soul. There’s mystery here and an opening to Shiraz’s real persona without its usual mask.
“A sweet core of dark fruit is a good match to the fine and persistent tannins that flow from start to finish. Mid-weighted, perfectly balanced, long finish; not too much to ask for really. Once again a McLaren Vale Shiraz without inhibition, set free from the shackles of oak and additions.” – Stephen Pannell
95 points, Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Real Review “A wine for the future. The bright purple colour is impenetrably deep, and there’s power plus on the nose. A mélange of crushed black and red fruits, fig syrup, ink, minerally earth, and a thread of vanilla mark the aroma. The full-bodied palate is rich in flavour, essency and sumptuous in feel, yet it’s not too jammy or sweet. A dark chocolaty thread carries through big, ripe, layered tannins on the finish. Wow!”
94 points, Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion “… A cool year, and a preference for more elegant wines at this address frame the picture. There are dark fruits here though, with blackcurrant, dark cherry and boysenberry, freshly ground coffee, cacao nibs, dark spices of a peppery, anise-tinged vein, nori, iron, turned earth. It’s a wine of regional familiarity, but somewhat refreshed, with finely serried tannins and brisk freshness.”
RRP $45 Our Special Price $37.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
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