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 Steve Pannell .. “The truly wondrous thing about great wine is it speaks of where it comes from. All true wine has a local accent – something distinct and unmistakable that helps to place it in an instant. This old vine Shiraz Grenache is our wine of place, and it couldn’t come from anywhere else but ‘The Vale’. The blend is something altogether more than the sum of its parts, it is McLaren Vale in essence, taste and character.”
About the vintage: “A winemaker’s vintage with every scrap of experience tested and measured. Lower than average winter rainfall set up for a dry growing season resulting in dramatically reduced yields. The Adelaide Hills was most effected with some varieties down by 50%. In low yield years acidity is generally good setting the resulting wines up for stability and long lives.
51% Shiraz from Koomilya (Upper Tintara) and 49% Grenache from Aldersey (Seaview). Process Both parcels hand-picked late February and co-fermented, gently pressed after 10 days on skins. Racked of lees and sent to old French oak vat from Malolactic fermentation and extended maturation. Bottled without fining in July 2020. Held in bottle before release to realise its true potential.
The aromas of McLaren Vale: sea air, iodine, earth, dark fruits and wood spice. Blackberry, ripe mulberry, compote and blueberry all meld and are framed by musk lollies, fine tobacco leaf, cedar and sandalwood with a bass of graphite and ironstone. Long, and supple flavours tickle the palate. Enveloping and rich from the first sip. Freshness and drive from the Grenache supported by dark flavours and textures of the shiraz. The tannins are lacey and in the perfect spot for consumption. The choir is in full voice and the harmony is profound. Cellar 10+ years.”
93 points, Ned Goodwin, Halliday Australian Wine Companion “A blend that manages to mitigate any overt sweetness thanks to Pannell’s steadying hand. The vision, one of fidelity to site as much as a savoury liquid to parry with our table. Violet. Crushed rock, ferrous graphite, licorice strap, kirsch, boysenberry and Seville orange riffs wind their way along a firm band of tannin. The length, impressive. The appeal, immediate. The drinkability quotient, high.”
RRP $45 Special Price when you buy 6 or more of this wine $38.99
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