S.C. Pannell
About S.C. Pannell
Having parents who founded 2 wineries (Moss Wood and Picardy) gave Stephen Pannell a good head start in winemaking, and it was a matter of time before he started his own label. A fervent advocate of Australian Grenache, Pannell's wines are known to be exceptionally approachable without sacrificing age ability.
Before starting his own label in 2004, Stephen Pannell was the chief winemaker at Hardy's between 1999 and 2003, having also undergone several apprenticeships in France, most notably at Domaine Comte Lafon and Mouton-Rothschild. His fascination with Grenache is rooted in his preference to make medium-bodied wines rather than heavy blockbusters, with Grenache seemingly the perfect choice. After spending over 20 years crafting Grenache from McLaren Vale, Stephen Pannell is hopeful that the varietal will become McLaren Vale's most recognized wine in good time.
Over the course of his career, Stephen has amassed a string of accolades, including being named one of the 50 most influential contributors to the world of wine by Decanter Magazine and being the first winemaker in McLaren Vale history to win the Bushing Trophy for best red wine of show in McLaren Vale four times over!
S. C. Pannell Grenache Old McDonald 2017 (6x75cl)
The Wine Front (96)
If Old McDonald had a farm, it was probably in the Tintara winery sometime in the last century (wine people joke, I guess), but now, this beautiful wine comes from 75 year old bush vines. There's no question that Grenache is the flagship grape of the McLaren Vale. It continues to rise as it becomes more sensitively grown, and as importantly, vinified.It's pretty, kind of rosy in perfume, a little bit juicy, but also dry and beautifully structured. There's fine insistent tannin giving it shape and texture, almost to Nebbiolo character with its gentle brick dust grip, red fruit and cherry, a layer of spice, new leather and scrub herb, and a long cool, composed finish. Flat out beautiful. Succulence with a serious nature. Bravo.
South Australia 6x75cl 2 96 (TWF) Read Review/Description HK$2,195.00
Halliday Wine Companion (97)
The provenance of the Old McDonald single vineyard comprises 76yo bushvines and is lighter and more perfumed than its sibling, the Clarendon Smart. Both excellent interpretations of their sites. This one heady with red fruits, florals, dried herbs/mint and a hint of green walnuts. There's a savoury overlay, with very fine sandpaper tannins and neat acidity sashaying across the just medium-bodied palate. Detailed, complex yet ethereal.
South Australia 6x75cl 1 97 (HWC) Read Review/Description HK$1,915.00
The Real Review (95)
Medium to deep red/purple colour, with a humus, undergrowth, dried-spice aroma that is more savoury than fruity, while the palate is similarly drying, savoury and super-serious. Darker fruit flavours are lurking within. Dried cranberry emerged with time in the glass. A full-bodied, well-structured grenache with lashings of fine, powdery, drying tannins. Lovely wine.
South Australia 6x75cl 1 95 (TRR) Read Review/Description HK$1,980.00
S. C. Pannell Shiraz Koomilya JC Block 2015 (6x75cl)
James Suckling (99)
A slightly firmer and more fragrant style to the ultra-rich DC Block bottling of the same vintage. This has impressive depth and concentration. Aromas are in the spectrum of dark, red and purple berries. There is an astutely handled, spicy oak influence courtesy of the 2700-liter French oak vats. The palate carries on with a wealth of fine, long and sleek tannins, which deliver a fresh plum-stone finish. Try from 2023.
South Australia 6x75cl 1 99 (JS) Read Review/Description HK$4,255.00
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