A small confession – I never really enjoyed Steve Pannell’s Rosé all that much when it was made from McLaren Vale Grenache. I like this Adelaide Hills version based on Nebbiolo a lot more. Nebbiolo’s a great grape for Rosé, although this is lighter in colour and palate weight than Coriole or Arrivo’s expressions. A very pale salmon pink.
Smells great off the bat. Cherries, roses, tobacco, anise and earth. There is some fruit sweetness on entry before savoury characters and dried herbs kick in on the midpalate. It’s neither heavy nor insubstantial. It just has presence. A tweak of tannin is delightful on exit and the wine is not lacking in length. One of Australia’s best Rosés and it is only its first real release. 93 Very Good – Excellent
Region: Adelaide Hills
Alcohol: 13.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $23
Tasted: March 2013