2021 S C Pannell Smart Grenache
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Tasting notes
66-year-old ungrafted bush vines from a single vineyard. 10 days on skins, stainless-steel fermenter, then pressed into one 6-year-old 2,800-litre François Frères vat and one 3-year-old 1,000-litre François Frères vat for 13 months. So scented, with aromas of small wild berries. Juicy, almost tart, very 'daring' style of Australian Grenache. Bone-dry, mouth-watering and equally fragrant on the palate. Wild and yet has real density. May be too lean for some tastes but I love this style. (JH)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
From vines planted in the 1950s up in the Clarendon area of McLaren Vale, heading towards the Adelaide Hills. Destemmed fruit, matured in foudre. The cooler, higher vineyard location gives this Grenache a touch of Pinot-like autumnal perfume – with some almost-vermouth-like, dark citrussy hints of blood orange running through the red fruit. Open, translucent, with compressed layers of fine tannin. (MA)
Really attractive ripe strawberry with orange peel aromas that follow through to a medium to full body with dusty tannins and plenty of lemon rind texture to the vivid fruits. You can drink or hold this. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
The 2021 Smart Grenache is very fine and bright with punctuating, pop-rocky acid through the fruit. This is incredibly bright and exciting—the lingering spool of tannins and acid merge through the finish. There is pomegranate and raspberry pip, red licorice, fennel flower and a smattering of saffron. This is a fantastic, elongated wine that will age gracefully.