2023 S.C. Pannell Grenache Shiraz Touriga

Steve Pannell’s love for Mediterranean varieties runs deep, and this blend shows exactly why. Grenache brings the lift, Shiraz brings the shape, and Touriga Nacional ties it all together with spice and perfume. It’s McLaren Vale fruit through and through – warm days, cool nights, and that mix of red clay and sand that keeps everything vibrant.

The 2023 season played right into Steve’s hands. A long, mild ripening meant bright fruit and plenty of natural acidity, so he could keep the winemaking gentle – wild ferments, basket press, and old oak to round it out. Nothing fancy, just fruit, place and texture.

In the glass it’s fragrant and juicy with raspberry, plum and a hint of rose and dried herb. There’s a touch of grip, a bit of spice, and a savoury edge that keeps it all in check. It’s lively, medium-bodied and dangerously drinkable – a wine built more for the table than the cellar.