Description / Reviews
"Stephen’s interest in Grenache stretches back to the mid-nineties. Upon arriving in McLaren Vale, a preference for making medium bodied wine led Stephen to Grenache and the love affair began. Stephen proudly states, whenever given the opportunity, that McLaren Vale Grenache ages more gracefully than Shiraz. Grenache is well on its way to becoming McLaren Vale’s most recognised wine and our true wine of place." - SC Pannell, Winemaker
"The Smart and Old McDonald wines have left the Pannell grenache stable, with the focus on estate fruit. This from 35-year-old trellised vines, but now also with 40% of the centenarian bush vines; 12% whole bunch, maturation in old oak vat and puncheons. This is charming from first pour. Not flashy, just engaging and open, yet with trademark tannin scaffolding. Fruit flavours are a little darker, deeper than the '23, tracing the vintages. Red and black cherry, fresh and pressed rose, ras el hanout spicing, wild raspberry, pomegranate molasses, musk and rosewater, warm terracotta, dried orange and rust. The palate is savoury, absent a sweetspot; instead, fruit is enmeshed in those natural tannins – grippy, pithy, sandy and impressively persistent." - 96+ Points, Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion (2023 Vintage)
"This vintage includes one third 1920 plantings from the Sunset Block, one third from 1920 plantings from the Sunrise Block, both bush vines, and one third from 35ish year old trellised vines on Block 1 (which is kind of prosaically named in comparison). Tasting this next to the Smart from the same vintage, and you notice this is the tighter wine, and it’s also less juicy/succulent. I think this is a better wine than Smart, though that’s largely a style thing. Cherry, blueberry, dried flowers, a little spice and dried herb, almond paste, and quite some perfume all up. It’s medium-bodied, tight and stony, acidity has a crisp cranberry freshness, and it finishes with superb length and precision, and again that sort of cherry almond thing, which I love. Unreal." - 96 Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front (2023 Vintage)
