Sixty Second Swirl by Brent Lello
In the micro-region of Wallaroo, located in the southern reaches of the Yass Valley, Allan and Christine Pankhurst have been cranking out quality cool-climate wines for over thirty years. According to their website, their wines “…remain true to our brand and reflect the true varietal characters…”.
The subject of this week’s “swirl” is an excellent example of these truisms – the Pankhurst Marsanne 2019.
This Marsanne is medium straw colour with bright flashes from within. A swirl reveals aromas of ripe, yellow-fleshed peaches with a side of grapefruit citrus and a hint of apricot kernel.
The palate is full and plush, and the peach and citrus flavours carry through with lovely acidity and a hint of nutty minerality that adds to the complexity.
Originally hailing from the Rhône wine region of France, the Marsanne grape variety typically makes food-friendly wines, and this example is as food friendly as they come.
It would go well with any richly sauced chicken dish or the Sunday roast of chicken with all the trimmings.
I bought mine from the Yass Valley Information Centre but it is also available for $25 online here.
Pankhurst Wines was established by Allan and Christine Pankhurst in 1986 with the first planting of Pinot Noir vines, and these vines continue to produce award-winning wines today.
We produce high-quality wines with great cellaring capacity. We do this through expert viticultural and winemaking process knowledge, while at the same time ensuring environmentally friendly practices.
We pride ourselves on low impact viticultural management that benefits our property, its ecosystems and most importantly, our wines.
Quality is the key in describing our approach to wines marketed under the Pankhurst label. We make wines only from fruit from our own vineyard. We aim to produce wines with good cellaring potential yet smooth and easy on the palate at an early age.
We select our winemakers from around the Canberra region based on their specialities and we work with them during every stage of the process to ensure our wines remain true to our brand and reflect the true varietal characters.
We have planted quite a few new exciting grape varieties. In addition to the Marsanne reviewed above, visitors to the cellar door can taste the lovely Italian varieties Arneis and Sangiovese and the Spanish variety Tempranillo.
Open for wine tastings & sales
COVID-19 Safety Information: At our cellar door we have measures in place to keep you safe and well
All tastings will be seated to ensure distancing guidelines are in place
Remember, you can order through the website, with free delivery across the Canberra region.
Cellar Door
Taste our delicious wines and soak up the fabulous views.
Our Cellar Door is open on weekends and public holidays 10am to 5pm for seated wine tastings.
We recommend making bookings.
We have planted quite a few new exciting grape varieties. In addition to the Marsanne reviewed, visitors to the cellar door can taste the lovely Italian varieties Arneis and Sangiovese and the Spanish variety Tempranillo.
