On the nose, this wine is highly perfumed and brooding, with deep dark cherry notes, sweet red berries, fresh leather, and faint hints of citrus peel. On the palate, it is vibrant and lively, with flavours of fresh raspberry and plum, flowing into surprising umami notes, and finishing with light citrus and florals. The fine, firm tannins elongate the mid-palate, and lead to a long, elegant finish.
Protero tells a fascinating story of survival in the face of adversity. Stephen and Fiona Pannell purchased the Adelaide Hills vineyard, ‘Protero’, in late 2019. Within days, it was surrounded by the second major bushfire to have threatened the region this century. Ultimately, the vineyard survived this horrendous wildfire, and the courage of those who fearlessly defended it inspired Stephen and Fiona.
The Pannells have been working with the Protero vineyard, previously owned by Rose and Frank Baldasso, since 2005, when Stephen returned from working a vintage with Aldo Vajra in Barolo. Planted with five clones of Nebbiolo and regularly enjoying cool autumns, Stephen had quickly recognised the vineyard's superb potential.
Protero shares the same winemaking philosophy as the Pannells' other projects, SC Pannell and Koomilya wines - fruit grown in the right place with considerable attention in the vineyard will always require minimal intervention in the winery. The Nebbiolo is sourced from the original Nebbiolo plantings. Perfumed, brooding and complex, it is a beguiling expression. As Stepehen states, "there aren’t many places outside Piemonte where Nebbiolo has translocated well, but this vineyard is one of those places.”
