S.C. Pannell Oliver’s Road Aglianico 2018

It’s brave – Aglianico in McLaren Vale. It is a grape variety that while it can make some great wines is still on the outer. Primitivo, Nero d’Avola and Sagrantino are the traditional rulers of Southern Italy but the rules may be different for McLaren Vale…..

This is the first release from over 20 year old vines – just six rows. The fruit is ripe and chunky with sweet raisin, tar and spice plus some subtle oak. On day one it is bony and hard to love but that all changes overnight. The generosity of Aglianico fruit emerges and it is all quite explosive driven by its acid drive and concentration. There is baked earth, tobacco and black fruits with acid and tannins all well balanced and driving a long finish. The wine is only mid weight but it’s also muscular, rustic and brooding, as all good Aglianico should be with power, fruit and plenty of Italian style. Hard to see many local Aglianicos topping this one. Get this epic wine here.