Stephen Pannell is a master of tannin structure, and his Adelaide Hills Nebbiolo is testimony to his touch. Elegant and focused red cherry fruits and lifted rose hip perfume overlay a firm, finely structured palate of tannins at once intricately integrated and at the same time confident and enduring. This is a fragrant and lifted style of wonderfully ethereal texture and a persistent finish that promises great longevity.
From five clones grown in the Gumeracha district, open-fermented, with 21 days on skins, it was pressed to used puncheons for 16 months maturation. Should be decanted 2 hours before serving, and I did just that. It has exceptional varietal expression on the bouquet and palate, sultry red fruits, and tannins that are woven through the fruit on the palate so cleverly you almost forget their presence.