2020 S.C Pannell ‘Smart Vineyard’ Grenache, McLaren Vale

Stephen Pannell is one of the most respected winemakers in Australia. After working for wineries such as Wirra Wirra, BRL Hardy and numerous vintages around the world with the likes of Domaine des Comtes Lafon (Burgundy), Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (Bordeaux) and G.D. Vajra in Barolo; he and his wife Fiona decided to return from Piedmont to start their own winery in McLaren Vale in 2004. Stephen's philosophy is as follows: “The most important thing about wine is that it should taste like it comes from somewhere. Grape varieties express that. They’re like the colours that paint the landscape. So, as a winemaker, I try to get out of the way and not manipulate them too much." Why do we like it? The ‘Smart Vineyard’ Clarendon Grenache comes from McLaren Vale’s highest Grenache vineyard located at 230 metres above sea level. Planted on its oldest soils (up to 750 million years old!). Here, the dry-grown bush vines produce a richly perfumed, elegant wine with ripe red berry freshness, violets and grainy tannins, a bit different from the heavy and often jammy version we found in the region. It is structured with juicy red fruits, dry juniper, a touch of rosemary and white pepper and a lot of savoury characteristics. It reminds us of a Châteauneuf-du-Pape with great the generosity of flavour and structure in the wine.   Grape           Grenache  Country        Australia                                  Region          McLaren Vale                                       Vintage         2020