Stephen Pannell has gone from being one of the best and brightest of the new generation of Australian winemakers to being one of the most lauded of all Australian winemakers in a very short space of time. In 2014, he won the fabled Jimmy Watson trophy, the most prestigious wine award in Australia, given annually to the producer of the best one-year-old dry red wine in the Royal Melbourne Wine Show, the top gong at the Alternative Varietals Wine Show and had one of his wines named ‘Financial Review’ wine of the year. 2014 also saw him move into his own winery in McLaren Vale, as well as refine further his style. Steve’s star is shining so brightly because of the way in which his style has evolved in the past three years. He now owns 36 hectares of vineyard, and this control over his fruit has enabled him to take quality to an even higher level.

On the nose, abundant black fruits, cherry, fruit bread and red liquorice are overlaid with jasmine, nutmeg and cinnamon spices. The palate is long, with integrated and granular tannins with a balanced finish. An excellent food wine perfect with grilled sausages or charcuterie and cheese.

The wine is highly perfumed, vibrant and complex with sweet black cherries and hints of exotic spice. It is a plush, light to medium bodied but juicy wine with leafy dusty tannins on the finish. Tempranillo is delicious served with red meat, especially lamb and pork. This wine is an ideal pairing for chorizo and other dried cured and uncured meats.