Suckling 96:
This is stitched together in finely tailored style with the blueberry, raspberry and pomegranate character of grenache leading darker, blackberry notes of shiraz. Some savory, foresty undergrowth, too. The palate has a super bright, fresh and detailed feel with long-form tannins and a seamless delivery or red-plum, berry and cherry flavors. Right in the zone. Will age brilliantly.
Like all of Pannell’s finest wines, this combines the richly concentrated and exuberant fruit of top-level old-vine McLaren Vale sites with a balance, sophistication and class seldom seen at any level of Australian wines.
So just how good is this? Well, Suckling for one rates this over EVERYTHING from their McLaren Vale neighbors Mollydooker, EVER, including the $200 Velvet Glove. (Though granted, it’s in a very different style than Mollydooker, and one that’s especially admired in Australia itself.)
Big scores from Aussie wine writers James Halliday and The Wine Front, too.
McLaren Vale Shiraz blends (and wines period) just don’t get much better or authentic that this…at ANY price.
