Description / Reviews
"The inaugural release of Sunset, timely in the vineyard's 100th vintage. In 2021 the opportunity presented to purchase a nine-hectare Grenache vineyard planted in 1922 in the heart of Blewitt Springs. Two bush vine blocks; one facing the morning sun, and the other warmed by the setting sun, was too good to pass up. Finally, Stephen had a home for S.C.Pannell Grenache. The Sunset block's 100th vintage." - SC Pannell, Winemaker
"Missing in '22, this is the debut pair to the Sunrise, with these centenarian vines catching the afternoon sun. Two blocks, same material, same age, quite different wines, though kindred. While the Sunrise is a little coiled, a little within itself, this is expressive and lifted, yet no less a wine of future promise. Steve Pannell likes a nebbiolo comparison for grenache, and while that often feels akin to Langhe Nebbiolo or Barbaresco in McLaren Vale, here Barolo is a more apt touchstone. Warm terracotta, papery faded flowers, pomegranate, blood orange, cherry, rosehip, star anise, dried orange peel, dried black cherry, sun-drenched wild fennel seeds. So much going on. A truly stellar wine, resting on a foundation of vigorous but cohesive acidity and a classically ensnaring web of complex natural tannins with resounding length of flavour. A wine of place, and one that I had open for four days without it tiring, rather further revealing itself. Such beauty, such intrigue. A wine to sit back and admire; great by any measure." - 98+ Points, Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion
"They made a Sunset 99 in 2022, but a winery accident saw it drain all over the floor. Gee, you’d be a bit cross wouldn’t you! Anyway, Steve Pannell dropped over last night to show me the wines, and I was a wee bit tipsy, having had something of a ‘dry bucket’ tasting session earlier, I think due to stress that day, though no excuse really. Sorry Steve. Anyway, I’m tasting them again today, though I did write good notes last night all the same! A day in the life kind of thing. I read the news today, oh boy. The thing about this wine that strikes me most, is the quality of the tannin. Mouth-filling and suede-like, they just feel so good. Cherry, mint, roses, Earl Grey tea, exotic spice. It’s medium to full-bodied, acidity sits beautifully within the wine, hazelnut and chocolate box, cherry and roses, with a finish of insane length. Upper echelon here. Incredible." - 98 Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
