2020 Protero Pinots

Protero

Australia / Adelaide Hills / Protero

85% Pinot Grigio, harvested on 3rd March, with 15% Pinot Nero harvested on 4th March. The fruit comes from the St Clar vineyard in Maccelsfield, a sub-region in the southern Adelaide Hills mercifully spared the impact of fire and smoke. The grapes were crushed, pressed and blended as juice with minimal extraction and immediately fermented in stainless steel. A small parcel sent to an old French oak barrique in April and blended-back in July.
The wine is pretty, fragrant and lively. Orange blossom leads the charge followed by pear drops, lilac, oleander, musk lollies and strawberry fields. The palate is plush, silky and persistent, offering an avalanche of flavours from pear lollies to sherbert and musk with a grapefruit zest finish that builds length.

June, 2021

Ralph Kyte-Powell

The Real Review

93 points.

Nebbiolo’s distinctive personality is finding good expression in an increasing number of Australian vineyard sites and Protero, owned by S.C.Pannell Wines since late 2019, is one of them.
This 2018 wine has a middling red colour of only medium depth, typical of youthful nebbiolo, and the nose has excellent varietal aromas of tar, red berries, dried roses and poached rhubarb. Flavours of juicy dark plums and dry herbs combine savouriness and ripeness in classical balance with juicy acidity and ripe, layered tannins.

Tony Love

Halliday Wine Companion 2022

93 points.

From the Macclesfield district, crafted by Steve Pannell. A creative mix of 85/15% Pinot Grigio/Pinot Nero (Noir if you will). What the latter component brings is a debate to be had, otherwise we're in solid grigio/gris territory, with lovely ripe fruit and florals to open, citrus orchard flowers wafting. A small portion spent 3 or so months in an old French barrique, giving a mouth-filling texture with baking spice elements. A note of white pepper adds to all round satisfaction.

April, 2021

Gary Walsh

The Wine Front

92 points.

Pear and fresh strawberry, musk sticks, flowers and spice. Fresh, juicy, direct and very tasty, with a fine chalk dust texture, and a sort of flowering basil mouth-perfume along with peachy goodness. Finish is tight and super clean. Classic refreshing dry white, built for supping with gusto (and nice food).

Standard Bottle Out of Stock

About Protero

Back in 2004, Stephen Pannell's family returned from Piedmont to find Nebbiolo growing in the northern Adelaide Hills just outside Gumeracha, on a vineyard planted by Rose and Frank Baldasso in 1999. Steve started working with the fruit in 2005. The dynamics of tannin, first and foremost, drive all of Stephen’s red-winemaking decisions, and good Nebbiolo hinges on understanding tannin. In late December 2019 Fiona and Steve signed a contract for the Baldasso’s vineyard. It was planted to all the wrong varieties bar one: five clones of Nebbiolo. A week later, it was on fire, and only through the courage of others was Protero spared. Surrounded by brave people, the Pannells knew they too had to be courageous. To that end they removed Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Viognier and planted varieties we like drinking and believe in for the region: Barbera, Dolcetto, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Riesling. All well suited to the landscape, the region and in particular this place, Protero.

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