A blend of 45% Barossa (touriga) and 55% McLaren Vale (the tempranillo). Winemaker Steve Pannell has enjoyed working with the touriga grape so much that he’s removed a large swathe of shiraz from his home estate and is replanting with touriga. If that’s not a

S.C Pannell, Tempranillo, Touriga, Barossa, McLaren Vale, 2017

The colour holds an attractive deep garnet/purple right to the rim. Punchy and fresh aromas of all manner of cherries with a rack full of spices: nutmeg, clove, oregano and more. Tempranillo’s cola lick distinctive. The medium bodied palate swirls and unfurls to produce a dark cherry spectrum with a strong herbal European liqueur-esque element thanks to the touriga (this is writ large in those magical old Barossa fortifieds). The tannins seem fragile in the manner in which they crunch, yet they will play an important structural role for many years. The coda of vanilla and spice leaves an urge to unscrew the cap again and again. Signature and benchmark.

RRP: $30
Alc: 14%
Rating: 19/20

Wine sample courtesy of S.C. Pannell