2024 S.C. Pannell Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills

The S.C. Pannell Sauvignon Blanc from the Adelaide Hills is a fresh, textural take on a variety often treated with little imagination. But this is Stephen Pannell we’re talking about, one of Australia’s most original winemakers, and someone who doesn't make boring wine. Instead of chasing aggressive acidity or overt tropical fruit, this Sauvignon Blanc is more about finesse, mouthfeel and purity.

Sourced from elevated, cool-climate sites in the Adelaide Hills, this wine is fermented wild and handled with restraint, allowing the fruit and site to do the talking. There’s no overbearing green capsicum or screechy grapefruit here. Instead, you get lifted aromatics of lemon verbena, lime zest and soft herbs, followed by a fine, mineral-driven palate with notes of Meyer lemon, white peach and subtle lanolin. There’s a savoury edge that sets it apart from the crowd and a chalky texture that speaks to clever winemaking.

Food-wise, it shines with oysters, grilled whiting, goats cheese or even Vietnamese rice paper rolls. Best enjoyed over the next few years while that freshness is singing, but it has the texture to handle a bit of short-term cellaring too.