Shop/Grenache & Grenache Blends/SC Pannell Little Branch Grenache
Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, Australia
SC Pannell Little Branch Grenache 2023
S.C. Pannell
Floral, fine-boned Grenache from 30-year dry-grown vines on the Maslin sands of Blewitt Springs.
$85.00
750ml14% alc.Vintage may change. If it does, we’ll notify you of any price adjustment before dispatch.
About
100% Grenache from Stephen Pannell's own Blewitt Springs vineyard, where 30-year-old dry-grown vines sit in 50-million-year-old Maslin Sands flecked with ironstone. Fermented in steel with 14% whole bunches and aged in an old French oak vat, it shows rose petal, dried cranberry and sour cherry over cinnamon and musk, with the site's characteristic sandy, dusty tannin.
The Little Branch vineyard is nine hectares in the heart of Blewitt Springs, and Pannell believes it sets a new standard for McLaren Vale Grenache. The 2022 was the first wine off the site. This 2023 is the second, with another year of his hand on the vines behind it.
Dark red fruit opens the palate and dark spice soon takes the lead. Pannell's own note lists raspberry compote, maraschino cherry and pomegranate molasses, then clove, cassia and liquorice. The wine is calm and composed, soft on entry, with fine tannin and real length. Halliday's Wine Companion gave it 97 points.
Pannell suggests crispy pork bao or a bowl of mapo tofu from any China street near you. It will also cellar ten years and more, so buy two and forget one. Serve it a touch cool.
Producer note
Stephen Pannell has won two Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophies and was named Winemaker of the Year by Gourmet Traveller WINE in 2015. Blewitt Springs is his own vineyard, acquired in 2021 — Little Branch is only its second release.
Structure
Grape
Picked on Stef's structure profile.
