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S.C. Pannell

2019

‘The Vale’

Red Blend   |   McLaren Vale - Australia
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

The truly wondrous thing about wine is that speaks of where it comes from. All true wine has a local accent – something distinct and unmistakable that helps you place it in an instant. This old vine Grenache Shiraz is a wine of place and it couldn’t come from anywhere else but ‘The Vale’. The blend is something altogether more than the sum of its two parts – it is the McLaren Vale in essence. The Shiraz comes from Steve’s Koomilya Vineyard in Upper Tintarra, while the Grenache comes from a 50-year-old Alderney vineyard in Seaview. The 2019 season was a winemaker’s vintage with every scrap of experience tested and measured. Lower than average winter rainfall set up for a dry growing season resulting in dramatically reduced yields, which improved acidity. The resulting wines will, as a result, have long lives.

Both varieties were hand-harvested and co-fermented without any additions in open-top stainless-steel tanks.  Around one-quarter of the fruit was kept intact and manual hand plunging was used for optimum extraction.  After 10 days on the skins and stems, the lot was pressed to old, 2300L French oak vats for maturation.  Following 15 months on the fine lees, the barrels were racked to tank and the wine was bottled without fining or filtration and with a small dose of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 51% Shiraz - 49% Grenache
  • Vineyard: Koomilya (Shiraz) - Alderney (Grenache)
  • Vine Age: 35-years-old (Shiraz) - 50-years-old (Grenache)
  • Soil Type: Siltstone flecked with ironstone (Shiraz) - Calcarious siltstone and sandstone (Grenache)
  • Viticulture: Practicing organic
  • Fermentation: Native & inocluated with house-curated pied de cuve – stainless-steel (co-fermented)
  • Skin Contact: 10 days
  • Aging: 15 months in 2300L old French oak vats
  • Alcohol: 14.5%
  • pH: 3.52
  • Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L
  • Total SO2: 49 ppm
  • Total Production: 508 cases

Tasting Note

The bright perfumed musk and red fruits of the Grenache elevate the rich black fruits and spice of the Shiraz. With a complex and integrated nose of plum, nutmeg, clove, and musk, this wine offers finesse and a seamless, medium-bodied profile. The Grenache tempers the mid-palate exuberance of the Shiraz, providing great length and a silky texture. Tightly wound and coiled, it features long, mouth-watering tannins.

Press & Reviews

James Suckling

93

"A blend that manages to mitigate any overt sweetness thanks to Pannell's steadying hand. The vision, one of fidelity to site as much as a savoury liquid to parry with our table. Violet. Crushed rock, ferrous graphite, licorice strap, kirsch, boysenberry and Seville orange riffs wind their way along a firm band of tannin. The length, impressive. The appeal, immediate. The drinkability quotient, high."

- Ned Goodwin, MW

Halliday Wine Companion

96

"Grenache from the neighbor and shiraz from Koomilya, this has long been one of Pannell’s most important wines with layered and fragrant complexity. Fresh raspberry and raspberry compote aromas combine with red plum and some light, peppery flavors as well as a dark soy-like edge through the finish. Fine and crisp granular tannins. Drink over the next decade. Screw cap."

- James Suckling
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Producer


S.C. Pannell

Region


McLaren Vale

Country


Australia

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