2019 The Vale McLaren Vale Grenache/Shiraz, S.C. Pannell

• Style: Off-Dry, Structured, Fresh
• Taste: Dark red fruit, pepper spice, fine tannin length
• Food: BBQ & Grilled Dishes; Beef & Steak; Roast Dinners
• Occasion: Sunday Lunch; Date Night
• Serve: 14% ABV, 2019 vintage

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Ripe dark red fruit and peppery spice arrive with fine tannins that grip subtly and linger. Equal parts Grenache and Shiraz, this 2019 sits at that sweet spot where warmth and restraint collide — generous enough to taste rounded, yet structured and fresh enough to stay poised. Picked deliberately early to preserve the acidity running through the wine's spine, it avoids the heaviness that can plague warm-climate reds. The texture is everything: a refined tannic frame pulls you back for another sip.

The Winery — S.C. Pannell

Stephen Pannell has earned two Jimmy Watson Trophies and three Alternative Varietals Wine Show championships in a remarkably short span, establishing himself as one of Australia's most respected makers. His philosophy centres on freshness — an unusual priority in a region celebrated for intensity — achieved through meticulous vineyard attention and early harvesting. Since moving to his own McLaren Vale winery in 2014, he has tended 36 hectares of fruit, granting the control needed to chase ripeness without sacrificing acidity. Minimal cellar intervention defines his approach: quality-grown fruit in the right place requires little fiddling once in barrel.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

At 14% alcohol, this blend is lean and energetic — a refreshing departure from the blockbuster style that dominates much of the region. Grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and cheese boards are its natural companions, though it sings equally with roasted chicken, lamb, and stews. Vegan and vegetarian-friendly, it rewards pouring at the moment you open it. Whether you're exploring our collection of Syrah & Shiraz wines or discovering the rest of our Australia selection, this wine shows a winemaker working at the top of his game, balancing Southern Hemisphere generosity with Old World restraint.