S.C. Pannell Little Branch Grenache 2023

97 POINTS

Marcus Ellis - Halliday Wine Companion

The second release from the Pannell-owned site in Blewitt Springs, planted to Maslin Sands peppered with ironstone. Fermented in steel with 14% whole bunches; raised in an old 2800L French oak vat. Steve Pannell loves grenache, of course. Also, nebbiolo. The kinship of those varieties in the current zeitgeist is hard to deny. Here it is writ large. Definitively grenache though, with a flex of fruit succulence through the middle (seemingly a feature of this site, based on the early evidence). Such transparency allied with depth, the tannins expansive, authoritative, sandy, refined, natural. Pressed rose, dried cranberry, sour cherry, umeboshi, warm terracotta, mace, freshly ground cinnamon, a hint of musk, the explosive perfume on the palate utterly compelling, the finish relentless. Stunning.

97 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2023 Little Branch Grenache is floral and ultra fine—the tannins sit through the middle and the back of the fruit and drag out through the fine finish. The fruit leads with Boscobel rose, green tea, petrichor and wet asphalt (although they may in fact draw from the same thing, they feel necessary to outline individually). I tasted this 2023 alongside the 2022, and the two have clear identities and are different, yet they are cut from the same cloth. The 2022 is silkier and more supple, with great depth and complexity; the 2023 is lacier, more diaphanous and very perfumed, and both are very long. The vineyard DNA is clear, while the vintage conditions have extracted different characters. They are both excellent wines. They are collectible in the extreme, but magnificent to drink today. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

96 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

Blewitt Springs. 30+ year old vines. I liked the inaugural 2022 vintage, though I like this better again. Raspberry, with just a couple of frogs in the mix lending a welcoming touch of sweetness, lavish spice and perfume gives it something of an exotic character. It’s bright, tannin is lightly dusty offering a pumice stone grip, there’s some blood orange and cranberry freshness, almond, subtle dried herb and some earthiness, with a juicy but fine finish of excellent length and precision. Top shelf. It’s 95+ or 96, though I reckon I’ll go with the latter because of its perfume and lacy charm.