The Wine Blokes

As is usual on a Friday night, my parnter and I like to try something a little different, something a little unique, maybe even something a little botique.  We hadn’t organised any wine for tonight so I rumuged around in the cellar and found a bottle of 2005 Panis Sparkling. I know that almost none of you would of heard of it, as it’s from a tiny producer in the deep south-west of Western Australia, in the tall timber country of Pemberton, about a 4 hour drive south of Perth.

This wine has a bit of sentimental value as I helped make it when I worked in the area a few years back. Pemberton is known for Pinot and Chardonnay (also Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc in small pockets), but had never really taken off as a Sparkling producer. I really don’t know why as the few that are made their are quite good. Panis is made by John & Sue Ward of Angelicus Wines. They also make Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

Alcohol: 12.8%

Blokes Notes: Panis is a blend 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay. The name Panis comes from a small choral work “Panic Angelicus” written by the French composer Cesar Franck in 1892. When translated from the Latin it means “the bread of the Angels”.

Even though this wine is from 2005, it’s still very fresh, crisp and tight.  One thing it has lacked a little in the past is yeast complexity but that has certainly improved with abit of time in the bottle. The acid balance is super, the palate has quite a lot of depth and length. I haven’t tasted this wine for about a year so it’s nice to see it’s still producing, and looks like it will for a few more years to come. What it lacks in complexity it really makes up for in balance, freshness and elegance. I really like this wine, even if I am a little bias.

You can order online via the Angelicus website.

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