2024 S.C. Pannell Fi Fi Fiano, McLaren Vale

From two sites, this started with fermentation in steel, with two-thirds transferred to older French oak for alcoholic and mlf, followed by eight weeks in large format oak. Bright and crunchy, with some herbal, tonic edges, yellow grapefruit, cool peach, orange blossom and rind, makrut lime and sugar snaps. The texture is a standout here, with a subtle generosity balancing the refined tension. It’s an excellent release.

95 points Special Value Marcus Ellis winecompanion.com.au

S.C. Pannell Fi Fi Fiano is a lively, textural and downright charming white wine that proves just how well southern Italian varietals can thrive in the sun-soaked soils of South Australia. Stephen Pannell sources the fruit for this Fiano from Langhorne Creek, where warm days and cooling evening breezes off Lake Alexandrina help develop flavour while retaining acidity.

Fi Fi is Fiano in a party dress. It bursts with energy from the first pour, showing vibrant notes of preserved lemon, grapefruit pith, crushed fennel seed and white nectarine. There’s a subtle almond meal creaminess that gives it palate weight and intrigue, but the wine is all about freshness and texture. Wild yeast fermentation and time on lees add a gentle savoury layer, keeping it just the right side of serious.

This is an excellent companion to Mediterranean fare think grilled prawns, lemony chicken skewers, or a bowl of fregola with clams and parsley. It’s a natural match for warm afternoons, long lunches and easy good times. While not built for long-term cellaring, Fi Fi Fiano drinks beautifully in its first few years and shows off the promise of Italian whites in Australian terroir.