RICHARD SAYS
2021 SC Pannell Touriga (National)
13.5%, McLaren Vale, South Australia, RRP $32
I wanted to write about a white wine this month – but I couldn’t go past the QPR of this wine. Touriga is a key component of many fortified wines – especially in Portugal – but can stand alone.
Stephen Pannell’s red wines are irresistible – whether the Merrivale or Koomilya Shiraz, the ‘Smart’ or ‘Old McDonald’ Grenaches, the ‘Vale’ blend, Aglianico, Nero – even Nebbiolo; their website and wine clubs meet my hearty approval. And the winemaking team is ferocious in their quest for improvement.
A glowing, luminous deep crimson/purple colour, it’s medium bodied but flavour-drenched; blood plum, fruitcake, jubes, and violets urge you on; dark fruits, mixed spices and dash of liquorice rule the roost in the mouth, then fine tannins insist you take a further taste. It’s a winner, but hard to find at retail.
Next steps: Jump onto their website- assemble a selection – you’ll be back. A site that suggests “consume while dancing” and a food match as ‘Darth Vader’s favourite’ has charm; for me capriccioso or Americano pizza, a cassoulet, honey soy chicken wings – ideas are effortless. Drink this anytime over the next few years – snap, joy.
GRANT SAYS
Ada Wine Co. ‘Clique’ red/white blend.
2022 Mclaren Vale
RRP $36, ABV 12.6%
Mrs. Muttons is yet another new wine bar/bottle shop to have opened up recently in the inner west. We genuinely are just so spoiled for choice. Its welcoming atmosphere is light filled and warm with a massive puppy friendly outdoor area out the back. The entire range of beverages on offer look delicious. On a perfect February evening, I strolled in for the first time with a hankering for a light bodied red best served cold. Chilled reds are underrated, I feel, and if you’re yet to get on board, best start with a bottle of this… Ada Wine Co. are young and fresh (like their wines) and have been plying their trade since 2018, sourcing fruit from South Australia with a commitment to making wines that are balanced, fresh, ready to drink and downright delicious. ‘Clique’ is a smart blend of Mclaren Vale grenache, shiraz and muscat. It’s light, zesty, plush and best served chilled. There’s a slatey, savoury edge to it which I’m convinced comes from the muscat. It’s fruit profile consists of raspberry and watermelon. Background notes of black tea and waxy leather give it a depth and complexity you’d expect from a wine twice the price. Acidity and tannins are present yet soft and supple. I’d highly recommend a visit to Mrs. Muttons for a few bevvies and then a cheeky takeaway as well, and be sure to tell your friends!
Pair with: A fresh diced watermelon salad with black sesame, merideth goats feta and roughly torn garden basil.
