Wine Review: The 'Dangerously Drinkable' 2016 S.C. Pannell Tempranillo Touriga

So there I am, sitting at my dining room table, opening up a box of wine and daydreaming about that new Portuguese egg tart joint that recently opened up in Torrens Park. I suddenly pull this little beauty out of the box in front of me. Iberian daydreams – check, Iberian grape varieties – check, renowned McLaren Vale producer – check. It seemed too Jungian to let it slide, so I present the dangerously drinkable 2016 S.C. Pannell Tempranillo Touriga.

These, and other Iberian grape varieties, seem well suited to our climate here in South Australia, appropriate varieties  as opposed to alternative. They dig the heat for starters and when it gets hot and stinky and Shiraz is shutting up shop, it is these varieties that you will find slapping on the Reef Oil and grabbing another cerveza (beer).

It’s a wine solidly packed with dark, black plum and berry fruits. Pure, vibrant and instantly endearing as soon as you shove your schnoz into the glass. Spice too. Lots of it along with wafts of purple flowers, cola and a fragrant vanilla bean note.

In the mouth it’s medium-bodied and slinky with a lovely weight to its ripe, pure fruit. Floral-edged and dredged with spice it is powerfully come-hither drinking and exerts a magnetic pull on the imbiber to pour another glass. It’s a cracker.

2016 Tempranillo Touriga
pannell.com.au