S.C. Pannell Old McDonald Grenache 2020

Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. It is recommended to decant it for an hour.

S.C. Pannell Winery is a renowned South Australian winery located in the McLaren Vale wine region, renowned for its excellent wines, a perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Founder Stephen Pannell has extensive winemaking expertise, as demonstrated by the numerous awards he has received throughout his career, such as the Jimmy Watson Trophy. Despite its particular focus on Grenache and Syrah, the winery produces a wide range of wines. The modern, high-tech cellar enjoys spectacular views of the surrounding vineyards and the rolling Adelaide Hills.

The Grenache grapes come from the nearly 80-year-old Hatwell Vineyard (Blewitt Springs) on Maslin Beach sand soils. After being hand-harvested, the Grenache grapes are crushed (about a quarter are left whole bunch) and fermented spontaneously. The finished wine is then aged for approximately 16 months in large vats of various sizes before being transferred to tanks for clarification and bottling.

The result is an intense and elegant wine, a perfect expression of the McLaren Vale terroir. On the nose, the wine reveals a broad and ripe bouquet, with aromas of raspberry and cherry, aromatic herbs and spices, with subtle hints of cocoa in the background. On the palate, it is soft and lively, with a medium body and fresh acidity. The tannins are smooth, and the long and complex finish echoes the aromas perceived on the nose. A must-try with grilled or roasted pork.