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.
In 2014, Steve won his second Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy and 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. His local legend status has been confirmed again and again, winning the Bushing Trophy for best red wine of show in McLaren Vale no less than four times: 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2018.
"Grenache is the most difficult variety I work with, and that challenge makes it the most rewarding. This year's finish line is in sight and by the time this reaches intended recipients our Adelaide Hills Protero Nebbiolo will have been harvested and vintage 2023 can be drawn to a close. The cooler years may well be more challenging for the mind than the warmer years, but the resulting wines will always rank amongst my favourites." Steve Pannell
"A gloriously detailed, focussed and concentrated rendition of Grenache, this has a punchy and energetically youthful stance. The nose has such fresh and vivid raspberries and boysenberries, together with some red plums, floral bursts and a gently sappy edge. Such pure fruit here. The palate has a smooth outer layer that glazes compact, fine and layered tannins seamlessly. Super-fresh finish with bright acidity. The fruit power here is supercharged." 99pts | James Suckling jamessuckling.com
"It offers perfume and pastrami – red fruits and exotic spice. As usual, while the flavour of the wines something to sink into, the tannins are the outstanding highlight: super fine, flooding the mouth and at no point ever obstructing the flow of fruit across the palate. Magic tannins." 96pts | Erin Larkin | The Wine Advocate
"This has quite a bit of sappiness and juicy, berried fruit amongst tart cherry, kirsch and cola characters. It’s fruitier than the exceptional Smart Vineyard 2021, but no slouch, just distinct, which is the point really. An element of jamminess, but a crunch and the swerve and chew of a firm web of graphite-laced tannin. Indeed, tannin is your friend here, a wine with great stretch and firmness from it, despite the sweeter fruit tendencies. Modern grenache in great hands." 95pts | Mike Bennie | The Wine Front
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