2022 Little Branch Blewitt Springs McLaren Vale Grenache, S.C. Pannell

• Style: Vibrant, savoury Grenache
• Taste: Red fruits, floral lift, clove and spice with refreshing acidity
• Food: BBQ & grilled dishes; roast dinners; braised beef; lamb
• Occasion: Date night; gifting; cellar worthy
• Serve: 16–18°C, now or next five to seven years

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Grenache that opens with vibrant red fruits and a floral whisper, then unfolds into clove, leaf litter and savoury earth. Bright cherry and raspberry ride over spice, with musk threading through to a length held by fine, supple tannins. The freshness comes from deliberate early picking and a long, slow ripening season that built depth without heavy alcohol. At 14.5% ABV, this sits perfectly in balance.

The Winery — S.C. Pannell

Stephen Pannell acquired Little Branch vineyard in 2021, and this marks his first red vintage from the site. A two-time Jimmy Watson Trophy winner and three-time Alternative Varietals champion, Pannell moved into his own McLaren Vale winery in 2014 and now owns 36 hectares of vineyard. His philosophy is uncompromising: fruit grown with care in the right place needs minimal winemaking intervention. The 30-year-old unirrigated vines, grown in 50-million-year-old Maslin Beach sands at 140 metres elevation, delivered the 2022 via whole-bunch fermentation in stainless steel, 13 days on skins, maturation in old French oak and no fining—all aimed at preserving vibrant character.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Drink this with roasted duck, braised beef, charred vegetables on the barbecue, hard cheese and charcuterie. The wine rewards early drinking and sits comfortably alongside our broader Grenache & Garnacha selection as one of the finest expressions we've found. Among our Australia range, it stands as proof that McLaren Vale continues to surprise. Vegan and vegetarian-friendly. Expect to enjoy it over the next five to seven years, though there's nothing stopping you from opening a bottle tonight.