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S. C. Pannell 100 Point Grenache

by Simon Evans | Oct 06, 2025

"... the wines are fragrant, fresh and detailed, yet they are also wines of structure and shape and age gracefully...They are collectible in the extreme, but magnificent to drink today."
Erin Larkin, ROBERT PARKER THE WINE ADVOCATE

The special offer pricing below is valid for 7 days from the date of publication only.

2023 Little Branch Grenache

Usually $85

NOW $79

97 Points

"The second release from the Pannell-owned site in Blewitt Springs, planted to Maslin Sands peppered with ironstone. Fermented in steel with 14% whole bunches; raised in an old 2800L French oak vat.

Such transparency allied with depth, the tannins expansive, authoritative, sandy, refined, natural. Pressed rose, dried cranberry, sour cherry, umeboshi, warm terracotta, mace, freshly ground
cinnamon, a hint of musk, the explosive perfume on the palate utterly compelling, the finish relentless. Stunning."

Marcus Ellis, HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION

2023 Smart Grenache

Usually $85

NOW $79

97 Points

"The 2023 Smart Grenache was significantly lower in yield (less than half) than the normal. It is supple, svelte, concentrated and almost plush. The palate shows the same. This is incredibly silky and seamless, with notes of sweet pouch tobacco, pomegranate molasses, raspberry/rhubarb and paprika dolce tannins. The texture here is like Dutch cocoa—super fine and gritty without being gravelly or blunt. This is super"

Erin Larkin, ROBERT PARKER THE WINE ADVOCATE

2023 Old McDonald Grenache

Usually $85

NOW $79

97 Points

"From 81-year-old vines planted to deep Maslin Sands. This is spicy, lifted, with the depth that this site always displays, the layering of fruit, spice and mineral inflection all visible, but the old-vine intensity viewed though through a cooler lens.

Red fruited, with berries, cherries and pomegranate, fresh red florals, musk and blood orange, the tannins so impeccably fine and graceful, yet no less purposeful and savoury. The fruit clings to the tannins – like flesh to a cherry pit – without spilling out. It’s a beautifully poised iteration of this cuvée, and just such a delight."

Marcus Ellis, HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION

2022 Sunrise 99 Grenache

Usually $250

NOW $229

100 Points

"The Sunrise vineyard was planted in 1920. The 2022 Sunrise Grenache marks the first time this wine has been made and released.

The wine here is silky and seamless, packed with tannin, flavor and perfume. "I didn't make it any differently [than the other Grenaches]; I've just let the vineyard sing," he said. And sing, it does.

This is a wholly complex, complete and persistently long wine. There are notes of Boscobel rose, sweet licorice, graphite, ironstone and tobacco. What a wine. In terms of character, this combines the texture and complexity of the Smart vineyard and the ethereal spice and delicacy of the Little Branch and then raises the bar of both to a whole new level.

In many ways, it feels as if all of the Grenache that Pannell has made over the decades has been leading up to this point. It was worth the wait."

Erin Larkin, ROBERT PARKER THE WINE ADVOCATE