Stephen Pannell grew up in the wine industry as a member of the family which founded Moss Wood in 1967. Stephen's extensive knowledge and experience has been garnered over the years from his work with many of Australia's best wineries (including Wirra Wirra, Hardy's Tintara and BRL Hardy where he was Chief Red Winemaker from 1999 to 2003) and numerous vintages overseas at such places as Domaine des Comtes Lafon in Burgundy, Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux and G.D.Vajra in Barolo. Other highlights in Stephen's career include winning the title of International Red Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge in London, winning the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show, twice winning the Max Schubert Trophy at the Adelaide Wine Show as well as being listed as one of the 50 most influential contributors to the world of wine by Decanter Magazine.

A blend of three Koomilya Shiraz blocks, the majority of which is sourced from Shiraz grafted on Gewürztraminer, the GT Block. This block was planted in 1970, and grafted in the early 1990s. The remaining Shiraz was sourced from the Mulberry Block & Spider Block, planted in the early 2000s with clones sourced from 130+ year old Hardy Shiraz (Upper Tintara), the neighbouring vineyard.

From one small section (known as the GT block) of a prized vineyard in the Upper Tintara subregion of McLaren Vale, now in the hands of Steve Pannell. 16% whole bunch, wild ferment, 20% new oak in the maturation cycle. This is a most distinctive shiraz in the greater regional context, exuding a powerful mix of black fruits with the smells of Australian bush enveloping the fruits. The palate is dense, not with oak but with rich, savoury licorice and definite earthy, mossy, roasted root vegetable notes in there as well. And with all that, there's still a medium-bodied flow through the mouth. Which should be open in awe at the exit because of how astoundingly good this wine is! Drink to: 2030; Date Tasted: Mar 2021; Alcohol: 14%; Rating: 98 Points & Special Value Star; Tony Love; James Halliday Wine Companion