JM 1ST APPROACH

As with previous Tinto wines, old bush vine, dry grown Grenache is the dominant variety in the blend. In the case of the 2010 vintage, I have made a mindful and gratifying shift to a lighter style red wine that reflects not only what we are eating, but what we are choosing to drink to match those foods.

I believe this style of red wine is ideal for Australia especially when considering pairing wines with the Mediterranean and Asian foods we love. I believe, with Grenache and blends at the forefront, lighter bodied reds will be the next ‘fashion’ trend in Australian wine.

2010 was a brilliant vintage in particular in the Vale: one of the best vintages I’ve seen in the last 17 years. Although predominantly Grenache, all Tinto varieties - Monastrell, Syrah and Touriga are ideally suited to our warm, dry growing regions of South Australia. These vines are more tolerant of intermittent warm spells and require fewer inputs in the vineyard and winery.

Stephen Pannell’s last two single variety Grenaches have been showstoppers. I’ve got them in my cellar and that’s where they belong for now. If you’re after more immediate gratification then look no further than this Pronto Tinto. It’s light to medium bodied, bright and vital, and does not lack complexity. A blend of Grenache, Monastrell/Mourvèdre/Mataró (take your pick, although it probably feels more like “Monastrell” in this blend…if you get my drift), Touriga Nacional and Shiraz.

The emphasis is on perfume and prettiness upon opening but subtle meaty qualities develop with time. Sweet cherries and raspberries with a hint of tart cranberry on the back palate. But it’s not all about fruit; dried oregano, earth and tea leaf add to the savoury profile that eventually defines the wine. It’s a spicy minx too. All that nimble energy leads to fine, slightly chewy tannin. Lots of evolution in the space of twenty-four hours – if you can make it last that long. Very Good – Excellent Wine Will Eat Itself