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S.C. Pannell

2016

Syrah

Adelaide Hills - Australia
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

This cool climate Syrah was sourced from Echunga, 1,350 feet above sea level in the Southern Adelaide Hills. The fruit is grown on well-drained, granitic soil, ideal for Syrah. The wine is called Syrah instead of the traditional Shiraz to stop confusion and pay homage to the style of wine it makes in the Northern Rhône Valley of France, where it is thought to have originated. This was the ‘Jimmy Watson’ winner as best red wine in Australia with the 2013 vintage.

The 2016 vintage was a vintage of two distinct halves. Winter & Spring were exceptionally dry & warm, with irrigation beginning earlier than Steve can ever recall. To answer his concerns, a number of rainstorms quickly changed everything, making 2016 one of the wettest and mildest ripening periods. These cool, wet conditions saved the vines. All of the red wines from 2016 are tannic and not dissimilar to 1996 and 2006 where the heat toughened up the skins, this should make the wines long lived. The fruit was handpicked and vinified in small open-top fermenters with 30% whole bunches. A total of 17 days on skins before being pressed to predominately old, large, French-oak vats for 10 months. It was bottled without fining or filtration and just a small amount of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Syrah
  • Vineyard: A single site in Echunga
  • Vine Age: 17-years-old
  • Soil Type: Deep granitic loam over ironstone
  • Viticulture: Lutte Raisonée / Sustainable
  • Fermentation: Native – stainless steel (30% whole-cluster)
  • Skin Contact: 17 days
  • Aging: 10 months in 75% old 13hL French foudre and 25% third-passage 600L demi-muid
  • pH: 3.78
  • Total Acidity: 5.74 g/L
  • Total SO2: 57 ppm
  • Total Production: 2,000 cases

Tasting Note

Highly perfumed, vibrant and complex with prominent black forest fruits, white pepper, cumin and a hint of sweet citrus. The palate of this wine is the most interesting element. The flavors lead you to think that it is quite light, but as you taste the wine, the power and intensity unfurls to reveal a density that carries the palate further.

Press & Reviews

James Suckling

95

"The purity of fruit is impressive to say the least. The blue fruits just keep on coming with notes of brambleberries, dark cherries, dark plums, pressed violets, acai berries, elderberries. Citrus, nutmeg, licorice, dark chocolate and charcoal follow. Very tight and chewy on the palate, which is so structured and fine-tuned. Full body, grainy and encompassing tannins and a long, steely finish. Edgy and silky at the same time. Drink in 2028."
- Nick Stock

The Wine Advocate

93

"Pannell's 2016 Syrah (sourced from the Adelaide Hills) is a medium to full-bodied effort, loaded with blueberry-blackberry fruit. Almost a third was fermented whole-cluster, but it's hardly noticeable, imparting just a light sprinkling of dried flower petals and spice to the mix. Likewise, the oak is almost sub-threshold, dusting the surface with hints of cinnamon and clove. It's a luscious combination, finished off with savory notes of black olive and espresso on the long finish."
- Joe Czerwinski

Wine Enthusiast

94

"Steve Pannell's reputation as one of Australia's most skilled red winemakers is a deserved one. This wine, with a bit of bottle age, is in a great place. It offers a deep well of aromas, from fleshy raspberry and cherry fruit to violets and warming spices, with earthy, leathery bass notes. Once you manage to extract your nose from the glass and take a sip, your palate is enveloped in silky, juicy fruit and taut, textural tannins. Equal parts power and plushness, this will hold until 2031 at least."
- Christina Pickard

Producer


S.C. Pannell

Region


Adelaide Hills

Country


Australia

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