2022 S.C.Pannell, Sunrise 99, Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia

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Description

Stephen Pannell is widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading winemakers. After early success as Chief Winemaker at Hardy’s, where he won the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy in his first year, Stephen went on to be named one of Decanter Magazine’s Top 50 “Faces to Watch” worldwide. Coming from a pioneering wine family who founded Moss Wood in Margaret River, Stephen gained international experience with iconic estates such as Château Mouton Rothschild, Domaine Dujac, and Aldo Vajra in Barolo.

In 2004, Stephen and his wife Fiona Lindquist established S.C. Pannell Wines in McLaren Vale. His philosophy centres on expressing the region’s unique terroir through minimal intervention, wild ferments, and fruit from low-yielding, sustainably farmed vineyards. Stephen’s commitment to crafting elegant, balanced, and expressive wines has earned him widespread acclaim, including a second Jimmy Watson Trophy in 2014, making him the first to win for two different wineries.

Fruit for the inaugural 2022 "Sunrise 99" is sourced from the historic Sunrise block within the Little Branch vineyard in Blewitt Springs, purchased by Stephen and Fiona in 2021. Planted with 103-year-old bush vines that grow on classic Blewitt Springs sands at an elevation of 140 metres above sea level, facing east towards the morning sun. The wines exhibit remarkable elegance and restraint, which can be challenging to achieve from Grenache in a warm climate, but with quality sites and vine age, Steve Pannell has excelled with these. Patience will be rewarded.

Colour Red

Sweetness Dry

Vintage 2022

Alcohol % 14.5%

Maturity Ready - at best

Grape List Grenache (100%)

Body Full Bodied

Producer S.C.Pannell

Tasting note

A wonderful nose of spicy black and red fruit, with cherries and a subtle note of cedar wood in the background. On first mouthful, firm tannins are swept aside by the vibrant acidity, elevating the wine and keeping everything fresh. There's a savoury element that I love, which supports all the fruit elements and gives the end of each mouthful a final flourish. A really well-polished, elegant and poised Grenache with a range of complexities. Bravo.

Joe Emmett, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Critics reviews

Erin Larkin 100/100

The Sunrise vineyard was planted in 1920. The 2022 Sunrise Grenache marks the first time this wine has been made and released. Steve Pannell pruned the vineyard himself prior to purchasing it in 2021. 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. The release of this Sunrise Grenache marks the arrival of an "off-leash Pannell"; he has been tirelessly championing premium Grenache from McLaren Vale for years in his own oeuvre of structure, shape, tannin and freshness. The acquisition of this vineyard site has given him all the permission he needed, it seems. 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. And there are great things to come in future releases too.

Drink 2025 - 2052

Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate (Sep 2025)

Jancis Robinson MW 17+/20

First vintage. This is meant to be one of a pair, but owing to an expensive mistake by one of the winery staff, there is no Sunset 2022. From an old vineyard that was leased to d’Arenberg until the Pannells bought it. 100-year-old vines. Pannell admits that the fashionable sweet, juicy Grenaches do better in wine shows but he is aiming to make a wine to last with this. Distinctively tannic, very firm indeed at this point and apparently Sunset is/was even more tannic. A wine of ambition that needs time!

Drink 2027 - 2035

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (Sep 2025)

James Suckling 96/100

Bold and deeply brooding aromas of blackberries, dark cherries, plums, blackcurrants, rose petals and pencil shavings. The palate is medium-bodied with firm yet refined tannins, bright acidity and a high-tension mouthfeel. There is a lovely savory edge to this wine, finishing with a plush, rounded texture. Made from 99-year-old vines. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (Mar 2025)

About this wine

McLaren Vale

McLaren Vale is one of South Australia’s most storied wine regions, combining a rich heritage with a reputation for producing bold, expressive red wines. Just 15 miles south of Adelaide, its vineyards trace back to 1839, making it a cornerstone of Australian viticulture. Today, the region is celebrated for its distinctive Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, crafted by producers who strike a balance between tradition and innovation.

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